Adapted from Mark and Dee Krueger’s September 2015 update
Editor’s Note: Much of Guinea, West Africa, epicenter of the recent Ebola crisis, is engulfed in spiritual darkness, Alliance people have reported. In this article, Alliance worker Mark Krueger, RN, who often treats burn patients in a backdoor clinic, shares examples of how the darkness is lifting.
We’re convinced that one of the best strategies to evangelize the multitudes in Guinea—where just 3 of 42 ethnic groups have been reached with the good news—is prayer. Recently, we’ve seen the spiritual climate shift in this region, where most people follow strictly West Africa’s predominant religion.
Power in Jesus’ Name
A new pastor and his family recently joined a local church composed mainly of transplanted believers from Guinea’s forest region. As he has begun to push against the forces of darkness in this area, he has suffered retaliation. Last month he fell ill, greatly afflicted by a panic attack that was relieved only through intercession.
Pray that the Holy Spirit will strengthen this pastor, his family, and the church for the task here.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Eph. 6:12).
We continue to see small openings in the people’s hearts toward the gospel. One young man, burned over 70 percent of his body, came to us because his wounds weren’t healing. We treated him for a couple of months without seeing much change, believing he would need skin grafts to repair the damage.
After this young man decided to follow Jesus and prayed in His name, we saw much improvement. His deep wounds are now almost completely healed.
Intervention, Outreach
Another case of miraculous intervention is that of a boy in our neighborhood who grabbed a transformer wire and nearly died from the severe burns he sustained. During the healing process, God spared his life again.
An artery in one of the boy’s wound sites ruptured, and since we “happened” to be nearby, he was brought to us. We were able to stanch the bleeding. God is working in him. Pray that he and his family will accept the Lord.
We also had a strong witness in our community this summer through one of our interns from the national Bible school. He shared his testimony in many parts of town as well as at the sports center where he served. This young man grew up in the majority religion here. He became a Jesus follower and now desires to be a missionary to the many people groups in this area.
Pray that this young intern will do well in his final year of studies. Also, pray for him to find a believing wife so the two can minister together.
Pray
“Prayer can easily be neglected if we’re not intentional in its practice—pray for our diligence in making it a priority,” Mark urges.
Use the weekly Alliance Prayer Requests to join the Alliance family in interceding on behalf of our teams in West Africa and worldwide, who often serve in challenging circumstances requiring Holy Spirit–inspired wisdom in demonstrating God’s great love to those who live in hopelessness and despair.
Learn More
Read how Compassion and Mercy Associates (CAMA) staff members in Guinea are seeing God open hearts through outreach to Ebola survivors.
Check out people groups in Guinea and other regions of the world that most lack access to the good news. Praying for them is an effective way for Alliance people to help fulfill the Great Commission.