This is a story that illustrates a couple of things that I occasionally mention about Guinea Bissau including the depth of the darkness of the region, the challenge of being a Christian in that environment and the grace of God in the lives of those who are coming into the way of Jesus.
Our work started in the village of Catel in 2005. After we had preached and lived among those people some months, several of the young men began to attend services and bible studies regularly. During that time we also began to have preaching and fellowship in six or eight villages in the surrounding area. The men in Catel who were showing an interest in the gospel would frequently accompany us to these villages and participate in the services.
Over the next two to three years about 7 of these men made decisions to leave the kingdom of Satan to become disciples of Jesus. I have seen their faith and joy in the Lord grow tremendously since they have committed their lives to Jesus. Gradually they have abandoned the works of darkness to be embraced by the light and love of God. As they grow in the Word they have also increased in wisdom and insight into the things of God. As I have observed this process, for me, it has been both a joy and a humbling experience to see the power and grace of God transforming lives.
Right from the beginning, as the Light was beginning to dawn in their hearts they have had a deep desire to share the gospel with their families and friends. There is something compelling about becoming a missionary when one becomes a disciple of Jesus. Starting late in 2009 I began sending them out to the outlying villages to take charge of ministry in these locations. They enjoy that responsibility and I have coached them closely, helping them to develop messages and encouraging them in our particular approach to evangelism.
One of these men is Gibby Mane. I have assigned him the village of Lala, about 4 miles from Catel. Gibby has lived in Lala and has family and friends there. So he is already a familiar figure to the people. It’s just that when they knew him previously he was a rough man living a very sinful life.
During the time he spends ministering in that village he travels around to various compounds and clusters of houses, sharing a bible story and encouraging faith among those gathering to worship. One day in April, 2010 he was making his rounds to the compounds he regularly visits and at one of the compounds he saw a crowd of 25 or 30 had gathered and they were dealing with a matter of local business. The president of the Village Association was there and they were discussing a recent event involving young women from that compound.
The Village Association had held some dances and some of the young women from this compound had not attended the dances. The men of the Association were there to talk about the girl's absence and to punish them for not showing up. These dances which go on all night with loud music are very wicked events. There is binge drinking and their purpose is little more than to provide the young men with sexual opportunities.
Because Gibby had been several times at this compound bringing the light of the gospel and inviting people to Jesus some of the young women began seeing the evil of the ways they were being abused. They began to see that God has a much better way for them. So, they refused to attend the dances. Now the Association men were there to fine them and beat them with sticks because of their refusal to attend the dances. Gibby arrived just as they were preparing to beat these girls.
He pleaded with the men to reconsider what they were doing and explained to them that this is not God's way. The father of the girls also joined Gibby in his protest of the punishment. Through God's grace Gibby and the father were able to persuade the men of the village to release the girls from the punishment and the obligation to attend the dances.
Many people in this region are fed up with the awfulness of their slavery to Satan. Many know there is something better and they are searching for it. What the gospel offers is in many ways radically different from the norms and expectations of their culture. (Also true in North America). And even though the gospel is radically better it doesn't mean that people suddenly decide to become believers and voila, it’s finished. No, leaving the kingdom of darkness is usually a long, even painful process. The fetters that bind these people are no joke; they are bound up with all the forces of evil.
But, praise be to Jesus, that he has broken the strangle hold of Satan through his suffering, death and glorious resurrection. Pray with us that many more will chose to follow Jesus and allow him to be Lord of their lives, inside and out.
