“My grandfather told me I should not join the Christians because they have demons. So if I join [you], the demons will kill me.”
These are the words of 10-year-old Fatou*, a young girl growing up in a community in Sierra Leone. She was speaking with Deborah*, an OM leader who facilitates a Discovery Bible Study (DBS) in the area.
Deborah leads the DBS for children and teens under a banyan tree, because hosting the study in a public place provides a safe space for those who might be curious but too shy to join in. The community faces a number of obstacles to discovering Jesus.
The population of Sierra Leone is over 75% Muslim, primarily Sunni, and many people also practice traditional African folk beliefs, which include animistic elements. They believe the spirit world is active in their daily lives, showing either favor or disfavor to people. Good or bad luck is determined by appeasing the spirits, and witch doctors or shamans guide communities in knowing how to please the spirits.
Familiar with the broader cultural beliefs in the area, Deborah quickly reassured Fatou saying, “Come, let me prove to you that that’s a lie. The church is very close; let’s see what happens when we step inside.”
Together, they walked the short distance to the church and went in.
“Look at me closely; see if you see any demons,” said Deborah.
She and Fatou spent several minutes in the church, allowing Fatou to observe what might happen. When no dangerous spirits revealed themselves, Fatou was surprised and questioned her grandfather’s warning. She decided to join Deborah’s group to study God’s Word.
Fatou began attending the DBS regularly — sitting with the others under the banyan tree to learn about Jesus. Discovery Bible Study places a high emphasis on obedience to God’s Word, encouraging participants to consider what from the Scripture passage can be shared with others and what practical things can be put into action in their own lives.
Over several months, Fatou fell in love with the Jesus she read about and decided to follow Him. She quickly began to speak with her family about Jesus. Since then, her mother and sister have both decided to follow Jesus, too.
Fatou challenges her father to see that her grandfather’s words about Christians being filled with demons are false. The DBS group has provided her with the community she needed to learn about Jesus, the accountability to live out her faith and the desire to share about Jesus with those who don’t know Him.
Even though she is young, Fatou’s passion for God’s truth and His love for her community compels her to share. She longs to see more people transformed by knowing Jesus!
Please pray for people of this community in Sierra Leone!
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*Name changed for security reasons.
