SIM missionary Corey Garrett shares Bible stories with the Wolof people.
Senegal (MNN) ― Five villages in the area of Kaffrine, Senegal
have received food aid through International Mission Board and SIM International. The first sacks of rice were distributed to villagers on May 15, and
rice will be distributed to two more villages as soon as it can be obtained. High prices and a limited supply of rice have
made it difficult to obtain rice locally.
The last rainy season in this area did not result in a good harvest. Crops dried up before they had fully matured, causing a food shortage that will last at least until the next harvest in September.
“Someone said that in their family they had not cooked a regular meal for 20 days. Others are eating one meal a day. Many farmers have been out of food and are looking for work and food wherever they can,” said IMB missionary Jim Vaughn.
Vaughn and his wife Bev are partnering with SIM to distribute the food. SIM is also coordinating with World Vision to cover each village in the area. It plans to distribute 50 kilograms of rice and 25 kilograms of beans to every household, as well seeds to plant in time for the next rainy season.
The villages where SIM will distribute food have all hosted chronological Bible story meetings. The Wolof people in the village of Tawa just recently completed the Old Testament after two years of meetings. SIM missionary Bennie Bonthuys will now continue with the stories of the New Testament.
"When we get to this stage of chronological storying, the chief could ask us to stop the meetings as he sees it clearly contradicting their religious system," Bonthuys said.
"We are moving very slowly. People have started sensing where this is going and what that would mean to them—they are a little nervous but continue to listen."
Although 92 percent of Senegal’s population is Muslim; other religions are tolerated, and many of the Wolof people are open to hearing the Gospel. However, many of them belong to Muslim brotherhoods headed by leaders called “marabouts,” who are believed to have supernatural powers and the ability to help their disciples enter Paradise.
A man becomes a disciple of a marabout by saying, "I give you my body. I give you my soul. Whatever you command me, I will do it. Whatever you reject, I reject." 85 percent of the Wolof people belong to these brotherhoods.
In the village of Tawa, friendship and preventative health care have opened a door for the Gospel. Missionaries hope that famine relief will open the door even wider in Tawa and many other villages. Click here if you would like to help support their effort.
