Stories from the Field

April 2007

Amazed Again

By Tammy Cortimilia, IMB missionary to Senegal
Two young female volunteers were out prayerwalking in an area of Dakar, Senegal. A young woman approached them and asked them in English for a French Bible. Knowing that the Wolof are devout Muslims, they were shocked and surprised by both her English and her request . However, they were eager to comply. Not having a Bible with them, they said they would return with one. She identified her house.

After checking with their host missionary who also conferred with others, it was decided that the girls and the host should return with a Wolof Old Testament portion book which the missionary had at home. The entire Bible is not yet translated into Wolof. Then at a later time, the host would return with Wolof cassettes and eventually a French Bible. They knew the educated girl probably could not read in Wolof, as the schools in Senegal teach French, but at least they would be able to respond quickly, show the house to the missionary, and also the host would have good reasons for future visits. They would have to be cautious because the young woman’s Muslim family may not know she was asking about a Bible. If they did find out, the young woman could face serious persecution and the missionary would likely lose any contact with her.

Off they went. Once at the house the missionary knocked, and the door was opened by a woman. He did not realize that it was not the same woman that the volunteers had described. The American girls did not know how to alert him to the difference with this woman standing there, but their wide eyes said it all. When he offered the Wolof Bible portion booklet to her, she invited him in without taking the gift. Soon a young woman appeared and behind her, an older man. Having deduced that the woman was the mother, and that the father was now present, the missionary was terrified. How had he been so naive as to walk into this trap? What will the father say? Has he ruined any chance of sharing truth with this young seeker? What will be repeated in the neighborhood? How will they get out of this?

The father did not smile or greet the strangers, which is a great insult. He did take the booklet and began to read out loud Genesis 1:1. He went into the bedroom for a few minutes still reading aloud. Minutes that seemed like hours passed before he returned. There was no conversation between the others. Finally, he rejoined the others, handed the booklet to the young girl and said, "It is God's Word. You may read it."

Then he turned to greet the visitors and invited them back for tea. The three left the house later, somewhat numbed by what they had just experienced. God never ceases to amaze those who obey Him.