The center photo is that of a young man who attended madrasas (Islamic schools) since childhood.
He grew up in a Wahabi Muslim family – a fundamentalist denomination within Islam. He reads and writes Arabic and was preparing to become an imam. Because you sent us to Mali to share the Gospel, we had the privilege of bringing him to Christ. The Lord is using Faysal in the supervision of our self-sufficiency agro-pastoral project, including the building of a Christian school there.
The top right photo is that of a young man who converted to Islam at a young age. He had friends among extremists in Somalia. Muslims who attended madrasas since childhood helped radicalize him while living in Prescott, AZ. Sadly, Elton was just killed in Garland, TX while committing a terrorist act.
Unless we reach Jibril with the Gospel, he will – at best – grow up with a complete misunderstanding of what Christians are all about and a strong resistance to the message of Christ. But more tragically, little Jibril could become radicalized in a country like Mali where Al-Qaeda-sponsored groups are still making trouble. We want to reach him and others like him. Thank you for making it possible with the SCHOOL OF HOPE.
Christian schools have been the most effective evangelistic tool in reaching Muslim children – and then their families – in all of West Africa! We are so grateful for your prayers and gifts. Our special thanks to the Northern CA-NV Women’s Ministries for their generosity!
