Meet Ibrahim

At our church in Ayorou a few weeks ago we read the story of the miraculous catch and the calling of the first disciples. We always end by asking what you will remember most about this story and share with your friends and family. Ibrahim looked at me and said "to follow Jesus means we must leave everything behind."

God continues to remind us that he has plans for Ayorou that we cannot control or even see. When Isa became the first Songhai man to believe we were sure we had found the foundation of Ayorou's first church. Then, he was sent a thousand miles away to serve in the military. Then came Ela. He was so passionate about his new faith we were certain God would build His church with Ela. Then Ela moved to Mali.

And now there is Ibrahim. He is not who we would have thought God would use but that is what is happening. Ibrahim is growing in leaps and bounds and maturing fast in his new faith. He has baptized friends of his whom he has led to Christ.

He faces constant persecution from friends. The other day someone offered him a good chunk of money to convert back to Islam! But Ibrahim said "Jesus has saved me, you can't buy salvation." He is unashamedly following Christ in a Muslim culture.

Each day we are more and more convinced that God is going to build His church with Ibrahim. Here's how you can pray for him:

* Ibrahim cannot read but desires to learn. Two girls from the States are spending 5 months in Ayorou to teach literacy. Pray that Ibrahim will be able to learn to read quickly.

* Ibrahim continues to share with his wife who has not believed yet. He asked me to ask you to pray for Houray, his wife.

* Ibrahim, like most Songhai, lives on almost nothing and never knows if there will be money tomorrow. He has opened a little shop. Pray that God would bless this business as a testimony to God's blessing on Ibrahim.

* Pray for God to protect Ibrahim from Satan's attacks. Ibrahim has suffered from his faith in many ways. The other day he told me "You know, following Jesus is not easy, but it is good."