‘...bring forth fruit with patience’ (Luke 8.15)
About 5 years ago, a group of Loron men and women from a small community just a few miles from our home village in Ivory Coast expressed an interest in learning how to read and write in their own language.
Marina arranged to begin teaching literacy to the group, but, after just a couple of weeks, some village leaders raised an objection to the classes and permission to use a little village classroom was withdrawn. Apparently, some of the elders were concerned that those who were learning to read might become Christians.
Marina could no longer teach there, but, in spite of the opposition, literacy classes continued elsewhere, and some in the community have now learned how to read and write.
Resistance to literacy and Bible teaching has been quite common over the years among those who resent the message of the gospel because they fear it may lead to a loss of power and control that they enjoy over the people.
However, in numerous locations, the Lord has worked in people’s hearts and changed them, or has removed them from the situation altogether, and the work of the gospel continues to progress among the Loron people.
And so it is in this particular village. In His providence, the Lord has reopened the door, and now Bible teaching is taking place in the village, with around twenty young people and adults regularly listening to foundational Bible teaching from members of the Loron Bible teaching team.
Please pray that the Lord would work mightily though the church elders and other Bible teachers as they bring the gospel in this new Loron village, and that many more Loron people will put their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, alone, for salvation.
‘He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.’ (Psalm 126.6)