“Pastor, excuse me, but let me see if I understand. Do you mean that everything I’ve heard so far about white people wanting to enslave us, destroying our culture, and changing our practices is not like that at all? Do you mean that it is all in the Bible; it’s not the foreigner who wants to change us but God? He wants to transform our mentality according to His Word? Why has no one ever explained this to me?”
A few months ago, I met a young taxi driver in Guinea-Bissau named Chris, and we became good friends. He had already had some contact with Christianity, but he expressed a desire to learn more about the Bible, and so we began studying. Every Monday, Chris comes to my house, we have lunch together and then we study the Word of God. We have made many discoveries about God’s plan for this young man’s life.
One of the difficulties we face in presenting the Word of God to people in Guinea-Bissau is culture. In general, Guineans believe that the things we say and teach are from the “white culture,” things that make no sense to them. Sometimes, Guineans even say that evangelization is a way of enslaving them again. Unfortunately, Chris and many other people think this way.
During one study, we talked about the Ten Commandments and their implications for our lives, relationships, practices and customs. I began to show Chris how living in harmony with the commandments can be beneficial for us in all aspects — social, family, spiritual, economic and more. During the study, I noticed that he was thoughtful and even uncomfortable, and it wasn’t long before Chris politely interrupted me and asked to speak, impressing me with his questions about God’s biblical transformation versus man’s attempt to assimilate.
In response, I said, “Chris, let’s read John 8:32. It says, ‘And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’” His eyes filled with tears. He was finding freedom in the Word of God.
Chris is attending church regularly and is already involved in many activities. We hope that he will soon be baptized, learn even more about the true biblical message and share it with others who need freedom.
There are still many people, like Chris, who need to be rescued by the everlasting gospel, and you can be a channel of blessings to make this happen. Join us in this spectacular work of reaching people and planting churches.
