Christlike service transforms communities

The biblical call to humble service, echoing Christ’s sacrifice in Philippians 2:7-8, is beautifully alive in Niger. Two missionary families, who stepped away from good government jobs in their home country, chose to serve in this 99% Muslim nation as church planters five years ago. When a coup caused their financial support to drop to nothing, the organization asked them to return home.

Yet, feeling God’s call, they found their way back to their village with no resources. They embraced the local lifestyle fully, working in gardens and on farms just like the locals. You couldn’t tell them apart from the community. This humble example was revolutionary; traditionally, Muslim women in the community stayed home, but seeing the missionary wives working in the fields inspired other women to join them.
They started DBS (Discovery Bible Study) groups, teaching women about healthy diets, how to support their families, and how to share and work the land together. This work brought dignity and joy. The men eventually joined the farm work too. Despite floods sometimes sweeping away everything, the couples remain obedient and courageous and continue sharing the gospel. They are making disciples, baptizing people, and seeing Christ manifest in the community because they truly made themselves of “no reputation”.

This movement is bearing fruit in the desert in northern Niger among the Tuareg and Fulani people. New disciples are being trained in the capital. When these disciples return to their villages, their families also come to follow Jesus. Furthermore, new disciple-making communities are growing in faith and prayer and are seeing people being healed with signs and wonders.