It was a beautiful, sunny day with a mild, cooling wind. I was just wondering what the day would bring when the phone rang. It was George and Theresa Tooray, our lay workers who are in charge of the Susu Project while we are in the States. “We have received a call from the president of the mission,” they said. “He wants to know if he is welcome to come and pay the project a visit.”

“Yes!” I exclaimed. “It will be a blessing for the project and the church members.”

The following Thursday, the president of the Guinea Mission, Pastor Kwasis Gameti, and his wife visited the Susu Project, and the Toorays welcomed them warmly. Pastor Gameti asked George to gather the members that evening so he could meet with them. Most of the members came, and the meeting was fruitful.

After the meeting, Nafisatu’s parents and George asked the Pastor Gameti to dedicate Nafisatu’s baby. (Read Nafisatu’s story on p. 10 of the October 2011 AF.) Pastor Gameti felt honored and asked for the father of the baby. Then, when he realized there were unique circumstances, he asked to visit with the family at their home with George. They welcomed the idea.

The next day, Pastor Gameti and George made the visit, and Nafisatu’s parents had the opportunity to explain the circumstances of the pregnancy and the baby’s birth. They also explained the position of the group in disciplining Nafisatu. Pastor Gameti made it clear to them that he must first meet with the baby’s father and ask him why he refused to acknowledge his fatherhood before he would have a dedication service for the baby. If the father of the baby maintained his position, he could sign a court document that the baby was not his. In the meantime, Pastor Gameti offered to have a special prayer for the baby at home.

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This didn’t go over well with Nafisatu and her parents. Later, she informed George that, since they refused to dedicate her son, she would renounce her membership.

George called us and explained the situation. We told him we would like to talk to Nafisatu and her parents. Two days later, they went to the Toorays’, and we had a good conversation with them on Skype. We helped them understand Pastor Gameti’s position and assured them it was for their good. We told them we share the same view as Pastor Gameti. We want to prevent a situation in the future when the father might use his influence as a government employee to claim the child. So they need not to be angry. All they have to do is remain patient and see what the Lord is going to do for them. We reminded them of Romans 8:28: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that trust in God, to them who are called according to his purpose.” That evening, they set a date to go and see the young man, and Pastor Gameti agreed to go with them.

Two weeks later, George called us and told us the meeting with the young man went well. He accepted responsibility for the child and is now giving support. Nafisatu retracted her statements about leaving the church and apologized to the entire church family. She is presently studying communication at a university in Guinea.

This story reminds me of the parable of the lost sheep. We labored with Nafisatu using all the influences we have—we prayed with her and for her, we counseled her, we disciplined her according to church standards, we financially and morally supported her through her pregnancy, and Pastor Gameti even got involved in tracking down the baby’s father and holding him accountable. We were able to accomplish this by God’s providence and through your generosity. We thank you for your prayers your faithfulness toward the Susu Project.

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