Within the last few years there has been a large movement to see unreached and unengaged people groups reached. One reason for much of the recent awareness is credited to many of the organizations making them their priority. One of the most common examples of these organizations would be the Joshua Project. The Joshua Project is an excellent source of data. Data consisting of maps, tribe histories, and statistics showing the percentage of Christians among different people groups and in different areas. The Joshua Project collects data from numerous organizations enabling it to give broad information about almost everywhere in the world.
One of the unique and exciting aspects of our North West Africa Trip can be defined as ”relational mapping.” Relational mapping is not only having knowledge about an unreached people group, but building relationships with people as a means of access into such a unreached people group. Over the past week our team had the opportunity to connect with some friends who are long-term workers in Senegal. In getting to see and support the things they have going on, we had the opportunity to take a day trip out to a desolate unengaged village. This marked one of the most energizing and exciting days for our team. Being able to experience this quaint 20 person Fulani Tribe was so energizing. Seeing and experiencing the desperate need for Jesus in this village has given us a refreshed sense of motivation and excitement to keep building on what God is doing.
After receiving a warm welcoming from the entire village, the Chief immediately offered to slaughter a goat for our team. The goat however had to be saved for another time because of the lack of time we had in the village. One of the goals of visiting the village was to bless them with a water purifying system. Unfortunately due to a lack of resources it didn’t turn out the way we hoped, but our friend in Senegal now has a reason for a return visit soon to finish the water project and continue building relationship with this village!
Now having built relationships in this area, understanding the location, living conditions, and tribal norms, our team feels confident to prepare a team to revisit. One of the exciting things we now know about is the lone Christian living in the village. He is living in secret for his safety. As he deeply longs for his village to know Jesus, pray for this man and for workers to be raised from this harvest! Lastly, continue to pray for us as we continue relationally mapping Africa and piece together how we could get more workers mobilized to engage in these areas.
Want to go to Senegal…?
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