Spring 2000

Week two

What’s inside:

UPG information; project list; summer missionary quote; God’s Heart for the Nations Bible study

Unreached People Group (UPG) focus: The Mandinka of Senegal

The Mandinka of Senegal, West Africa, speak Mandinka, one of several Manding languages. Most Manding speakers can trace their lineage to the once great Mali Empire. Under the “lion king,” Sundiata, the nation was united and began conquering other peoples. Today, Manding languages are spoken by about 11 million people in nine African countries. Many of these peoples have no written script, but the oral tradition is said to be one of the best. 

In Senegal, the Mandinka are mostly farmers. Their staple crops are rice, millet, sorghum and peanuts. Farmers are freeborn, one of three social classes within the Mandinka society. The freeborn class is the most diverse group. It once included only the nobles, but now it includes merchants, farmers and others. Leather craftsmen, blacksmiths and singers are part of the Artisan class. This class is feared and awed because these professions often involve spiritual rituals. The third class is the slave class.

The Mandinka people are 95 percent Muslim. Most see Allah as a supreme god who is disconnected from his creation. It is, therefore, not unusual for someone to go first to the village mosque to pray, followed by a ritual sacrifice to the “village spirit.” Islam amongst the Mandinka is a mixture of Sunni Muslim and traditional religion.

Life in Senegal is harsh. The region is impacted by drought and famine, as well as periodic plagues of locusts. At times the water table becomes so low that the wells do not produce water for several months. To make matters worse, the soil has been stripped of its nutrients, leaving it less fertile.

Prayer Points:

• Ask God to give wisdom to those now working with the Mandinka. 
• Pray for the effectiveness of JESUS films and gospel radio programs. 
• Pray that people will be called to minister to and encourage Mandinkan Christians so that they will be able to reach their own people group. 
• Pray that God will reveal Himself to the Mandika through dreams and visions.

Projects in Senegal … A Cry for help

*For more description of these projects, go to the website www.thetask.org/students  under the Mission projects link.

A summer missionary’s quote:

“Although I am quite shy and sometimes get tongue twisted in my second language, I think the love, concern and belief that Jesus is the one calling out to people allowed me to step out. I know I don’t have all the answers or a perfect life or even perfect faith, but I was willing to be used.”

North Africa ***see 1 Corinthians 26-29***

Bible study:

GOD’S HEART FOR THE NATIONS