Dear Faithful Ones,

 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young… – Proverbs 1:1-4

 Within Mandinka society, proverbs are held in high regard, almost a secret form of communication.  They are taught to children during their right of passage in the bush and throughout life; if you do not understand MNK proverbs, you will never completely understand Mandinkas.

 One entire book of the Old Testament is devoted to proverbs.  The purpose of the book of Proverbs?  To impart wisdom for godly living.  This month’s prayer focus is on verses from Proverbs.  Pray that God’s book of wisdom will become important to Mandinkas.  As you pray, pray that these words will impact not only MNKs, but also our lives as children of God. 

 Continue to pray for this fictitious family of Bakary, his wives, his children, and his parents.  Pray that those of us on the field will be found faithful, available and obedient to what the Lord has asked of us; pray for those God is calling out to work among the MNK. 

Bakary, the head of the family (early 50s)

Fatou, Bakary’s first wife (early 40s) and her children (Adama, Hawa, Kadi, Sali, Mariyama, Fatou, Ibrima)

Binta, Bakary’s second wife (mid 30s) and her children (Lamin, Modou, Tida, Alieu, Isatou)

Kadi, Bakary’s third wife (early 20s) and her children (Ebou, Nyima, Alhaji)

Lamin, Bakary’s elderly father (mid 70s)

Sali, Lamin’s only surviving wife, birthmother of Bakary

Toubob, what MNKs call white westerners

You will notice on April 2 we are requesting prayer for the continuation of the radio broadcasts.  Pray for our colleagues as they finalize the financial negotiations.

I have heard from many of you about promotional materials and the bi-monthly prayer awareness video.  These will be in the mail in the next two weeks.  Please let me know if we can assist you in any way as you advocate on behalf of the MNK.

Your sister on the MNK field,

MNK Update April 2002

Mon, Apr 1:For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. – Romans 15:4  Scripture is timeless; Scripture is instructive; Scripture is true.  Everything in Scripture was written to teach us, not to confuse us.  Pray that the Mandinka will become hungry for the Book of Truth and seek their answers from it, and not from man.

Tue, Apr 2:All a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord. – Proverbs 16:2  Inflation is a universal problem, and it is no different among the MNK.  The price of rice goes up before important holidays; so do the prices of cloth and transportation.  The original negotiated price for the radio broadcasts was ~$43/week for the 30-minute broadcast; the price has suddenly been increased to ~$55/week.  Inflation?  Perhaps.  A desire to keep God’s Word off the airwaves?  Perhaps.  Pray for those involved in the negotiations to have the patience and wisdom to deal with the situation; pray for God’s will to be done; pray that the MNK will have access to the Word of God.

Wed, Apr 3:A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. – Proverbs 22:1  Binta was getting ready for her two hour walk home when she heard that her best friend, Isatou, was in the hospital; she’s been there for five days.  Binta doesn’t have time to walk there, visit Isatou, and still get home by dark.  On her way out of town, people are asking her how Isatou is, has she seen her, well, why not?…  Should she walk home now and not see her friend?  Or should she go visit Isatou and then walk home?  Or should she visit Isatou and spend the night in town?  If she doesn’t visit Isatou, people will continue to say bad things about her…if she doesn’t get home, what will Bakary think?  Pray that Binta will be more concerned about what God thinks when HE hears her name than she is about what the gossipers whisper behind her back.

Thu, Apr 4:He who gathers crops in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son. – Proverbs 10:5  As Bakary begins the clearing process in his field, he wonders if Ibrima will be home to help him.  It is so hard after the boys go to school; they don’t want to spend their time in the fields; they want to get government jobs, or jobs with donor agencies, which will pay them a lot of money and hopefully get them out of the village.  Bakary knows these things…it was that way when he was a boy.  Yet Bakary still has to feed his family, and his parents, and his children.  Pray that the words of Scripture will provide knowledge and the avenue for Bakary to come to know God.

Fri, Apr 5:Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out. – Proverbs 17:14  Kadi heard talk today in the market against Fatou.  She knows she was seen; she knows people recognize her as the 3^rd wife to Fatou; she knows she should have spoken in Fatou’s defense; yet she didn’t.  Walking home she remembered the verse she heard on the radio last night.  She remembers how her mother used to walk away whenever an argument broke out among the women; that is not the typical Mandinka way, but it certainly was her mother’s way…but was it the right way?  Pray that MNK women will be able to let go of the Mandinka way and hold on to God’s Way.

Sat, Apr 6:The poor are shunned even by their neighbors, but the rich have many friends. – Proverbs 14:20  Yesterday afternoon, instead of going to town for prayers, Bakary stayed home with his father and the other old men of the village.  After prayers, they spent the afternoon talking about one of the wealthiest men in town, Samba.  Samba used to be a good friend of Lamin’s, but now Samba hardly greets Lamin.  It is as if Lamin is being ignored, as if he doesn’t exist.  At first they criticized Samba, then they made fun of him; eventually they came to agree that Samba must be a very lonely man, for he no longer has any real friends…everyone wants something from him…yet that is the Mandinka way…  Pray for the tremendous love God has for the individual to become part of MNK daily life, irregardless of financial stature. 

Sun, Apr 7:The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good. – Proverbs 15:3  Fatou wonders, “What is evil?  Who is wicked?  Who are the good?”  Surely the wicked are those who steal, those who lie, those who cheat, those who do not keep the fast, those who need to repent and return to the Islamic road…those are the evil ones.  The MNK have a proverb:  Revenge is not witchcraft.  In other words, to repay evil for evil is not bad.  Yet who decides which evil is to be repaid?  Who determines what is good?  Who is good?  Pray for Fatou and other MNK women to come to the understanding that God alone is Good, and that His eyes are, indeed, everywhere.

Mon, Apr 8:He who is full loathes honey, but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet. –Proverbs 27:7  The process of translating Scripture is a multifaceted one.  And the responsibilities that go along with this task are unparalleled within the missionary community.  Finding believing MNK men and women to participate in this goal is difficult; therefore non-believers are hired as translators.  The checking process, however, utilizes strong believers, who may or may not be MNKs, but are well trained and knowledgeable in this endeavor.  Pray for the MNK non-believers who are submersed in the word of God daily to have a hunger for what may seem to be bitter until they come to know God personally.

Tue, Apr 9:Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. – Proverbs 1:8  While at school today, Modou heard these words spoken by one of his teachers.  He wonders if these are words from the holy Qu’ran.  They seem very familiar, similar to the MNK proverb:  What an elder can see while sitting, a child cannot see even if he stands up.  In other words, listen to your father, he has wisdom and knowledge you do not yet hold.  Pray for MNK society to take its many strong family values and move them to the True Path of God.

Wed, Apr 10:But a man who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself. – Proverbs 6:32  Bakary saw a poster at his friend’s house in town that included these words.  He, and his friend, whole-heartedly agree with this…a man must not commit adultery.  But their understanding of adultery is a worldly understanding – having a physical relationship with another man’s wife is adultery – it doesn’t seem to apply to married men and unmarried women.  Pray for MNKs to grasp the beauty of the marriage relationship as designed by God: one man, one woman, united as one.

Thu, Apr 11:A wise man fears the Lord and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless. – Proverbs 14:16  The headmaster at the school was so angry today he broke the cane on the back of the boy.  The boy had said he didn’t want to go to Qu’ranic classes anymore; he wanted to attend the Bible Knowledge (BK) classes.  But this boy’s father is an Islamic prayer leader; the headmaster would have been in a lot of trouble if he had agreed.  Sadly he allowed his fear and anger to get out of hand.  Fortunately the BK teacher passed by the headmaster’s office and was able to quiet the situation.  Pray for Christians who interact with Mandinka Muslims to have wisdom, patience and God’s spirit prevalent every time they open their mouths.

Fri, Apr 12:In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality. – Proverbs 12:28  The way of righteousness…that is the name of the radio broadcast that Bakary listens to every Thursday night…the way of righteousness, the straight path.  Is there any other way?  Isn’t that the way my family and I are on?  Isn’t that the way my father taught me?  Isn’t that the MNK way, the Islamic way?  The broadcasts focus on being on this straight path; can God have two paths?  Pray for Bakary and others as they listen to the Sila Tilindingo (The Straight Path); pray they will come to the knowledge that there is only one way to God as presented in Scripture.

Sat, Apr 13:Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down. –Proverbs 26:20  Walking back from the well, Binta hears loud voices, not an uncommon situation among MNK women; they usually speak to one another at the top of their lungs!  But these two women are not just chatting.  There are ugly words and accusations being thrown back and forth.  Binta sees her mother-in-law, Sali, trying to quell the situation, lending a sense of calm and serenity.  Later in the afternoon Fatou and Kadi begin speaking of it again; Sali admonishes them to leave it alone, allow it to die.  “We need peace, not disharmony, in our village.” Sali tells them.  Pray for women like Sali, who are natural peacemakers, to come to know the True Peacemaker, and begin sharing His peace.

Sun, Apr 14:Ears that hear and eyes that see – the Lord has made them both. – Proverbs 20:12  Kadi took Alhaji to the health center today.  She walked for two hours and then waited for five before seeing the nurse.  But when it was finally their turn, the Catholic sister was kind and caring, taking her time with both Kadi and Alhaji.  She is so different from the other nurses at the health center.  Kadi was frustrated when she saw other women and their children come in after her and leave before her with medicine, yet this sister worked on in joy and contentment, caring for one patient at a time.  This expression of God’s love is not lost on those Muslim MNK women waiting at the health center for medical care.  Pray for those who treat the physical needs of the MNK, especially women and children; thank God for their service; pray for their witness to be strong among their co-workers. 

Mon, Apr 15:Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise. – Proverbs 20:1  Even though alcohol consumption is prohibited among Muslims, many young MNK men are caught up in the advertising…it looks like fun…it is called a health drink…I’ll be a stronger soccer player by drinking beer…I’ll become more sophisticated, etc., etc., etc.  Bakary has spent many hours advising his sons about the evils of alcohol, but Ibrima and Lamin saw it first hand yesterday at the market.  Keeba, a man about Bakary’s age, is known as a petty thief and a drunk.  The elders talk about his ability to speak French, German, Spanish, English…yet he wasted all his talents on drugs and alcohol; he has been deported from every country he has ever entered.  Now when he is sober, he is somber; when he is drugged, he is a thief.  There is no happiness in his life, and he has no friends.  Pray for MNK society as it is faced with the realities of the 21^st century; pray that men and women of Godly character will rise to positions of authority and responsibility; pray for the Holy Spirit to engulf this people group.

Tue, Apr 16:A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps. – Proverbs 14:15  A stranger came through the village today.  He was asking for money; he said he had been robbed and beaten by bandits in the bush.  He did look dirty, hungry and tired, so Bakary gave him food to eat and water to bathe with, but he wouldn’t give him any money.  The more the stranger spoke, the less Bakary trusted him.  But the MNK way is to give hospitality to all who are in need, so Bakary was fulfilling his obligation to share what he had.  That is something Bakary’s Toubob friend really doesn’t understand.  He has a hard time telling the difference between people who are in need and people who are working a scam!  Pray for wisdom for those of us working among the MNK; needs and wants are often difficult to distinguish; pray that we will have discerning minds and prudent thoughts, all within the scope of sharing the Gospel.

Wed, Apr 17:Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. – Proverbs 4:25  Walking down the road to the village, the boys are talking about the things they saw in town today.  It is an exciting thing when you are finally allowed by your father to go to town without an adult, even if it is just to sell firewood.  Of course, everyone in town was watching them, making sure they didn’t get into too much mischief.  But even so, they went places they knew they weren’t supposed to go, saw things they knew they weren’t supposed to see, did things they knew they weren’t supposed to do.  This verse they heard on the radio yesterday, what does it mean?  Are they never to look around themselves?  How can they learn if they don’t investigate?  Pray for young men to understand that they need to fix their gaze upon God and His holiness; pray they will have opportunities to hear the Word.

Thu, Apr 18:It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way. – Proverbs 19:2  Young MNK men are encouraged to reject out-of-hand any teaching not in accordance with the Qu’ran; following an individual path or way different from your parents is strongly discouraged in this family-oriented society.  Unfortunately they lack knowledge of both the Qu’ran and the Bible, so their zeal is based in ignorance and tradition.  Pray for the young men of MNK society to have knowledge about both Islam and Christianity; pray for their minds to be open to discovering God for themselves.

Fri, Apr 19:Wisdom will save you from the adulteress, from the wayward wife with her seductive words. – Proverbs 2:16  Fatou’s oldest daughter has come to visit her parents for a few weeks.  She, her husband, and her children live in a village about 3 hours away.  While she was in the taxi, she watched a woman her age, obviously married with children, flirt shamelessly with another passenger.  He ended up paying her taxi fare; Adama was appalled.  She has heard about uncircumcised women, about how they chase men all the time…but until today, she had never met one.  Why would a woman subject herself to a man who was not her husband?  Pray for MNK men and women to understand God’s intent when He created marriage; pray for families to be united under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.

Sat, Apr 20:For a man’s ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all his paths. – Proverbs 5:21  As the girls carry the clothes out to the well to wash, they wonder about the words they heard on the radio last night.  Does God really see everything?  Does He really examine everything?  Is He paying attention right now as they are washing the clothes?  Does He see that they aren’t washing as well as they should?  Does He see that Tida isn’t being serious?  Does He hear their conversation?  If He does, does He care?  Pray for MNKs to grasp not only God’s omnipresence, but also His great love and concern for every human being, including young girls washing clothes.

Sun, Apr 21:Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.  This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. – Proverbs 3:7-8  Lamin received word today that one of his boyhood friends died…of the “slimming” disease.  Walking to town to get a taxi to go to the funeral, he meets up with other men who are also traveling.  As they begin talking about the man who died, all make reference to his lifestyle, how he had many women who were not his wives.  No one will outwardly bad mouth the dead, but everyone understands that an impure lifestyle takes its toll on physical health.  Pray for MNK men and women to treasure the gift of life God has given; pray for them to respect the fragility, and strength, of the human body.

Mon, Apr 22:Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!”  Wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you. – Proverbs 20:22  These words are completely contrary to MNK thought.  One of their proverbs states, “If you make me drink blood, I’ll make you drink puss.”  Revenge is a strong driving force in MNK society.  And in Islamic society, God depends on man to defend Him.  Putting these two strong ideals together often results in unsettled hearts and minds.  Pray for the MNK to discover the justice, peace and righteousness that knowing the True Creator brings.

Tue, Apr 23:There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him:  haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies, and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers. – Proverbs 6:16-19  “Catch him…there he goes…quick, catch him…he stole my bread!”  These words rang out in the market this morning.  Kadi was nearly knocked down by a man running past her; later she realized it was the thief.  After he was caught, the men who gathered around beat him quite severely; then, they took him to the police.  Now Kadi ponders the question of which was more evil in God’s eyes, the bread stealing or the terrible mob beating…  Pray that as Scripture is distributed as posters, on audio-cassettes, and over the radio it will permeate the hearts and lives of those who encounter it.

Wed, Apr 24:Folly delights a man who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding keeps a straight course. – Proverbs 15:21  Wisdom is a prized commodity among the MNK.  The opinion of the elders is always sought prior to a major decision within a village.  At least superficially.  Many younger men are looking at their society and desire to improve it.  Change is not bad, but the elders fear for the stability and future of their villages.  One politician arrives and says he will bring electricity to all the rural villages within 3 years.  Another arrives and says that every home in every village will have indoor plumbing within 5 years.  Another declares that he will install telephone booths in the village next year, and in every home the year after that.  The elders shake their heads…what about food?…what about medicine?… what about malaria?…what about…  Pray for MNK elders as they care for their villages; pray that they will receive God’s wisdom and lead their villages along His straight path.

Thu, Apr 25:Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse. – Proverbs 2:12  Binta’s daughter, Tida, heard these words at school today, spoken by one of the teachers during English class.  It’s a hard thing to hear, harsh words spoken about men.  Yet when Tida went out to the bush for her time of training, she heard similar words spoken by the women there.  As she has gotten older, she has seen some of her girlfriends become involved with older, married men, just so they could have new shoes or new cloth or whatever.  They aren’t prostitutes, exactly, but they have forgotten the warning not to trust men, all men, including their fathers and brothers and husbands.  Pray for young MNK women to stand strong in their morals; pray for MNK society to begin teaching love and commitment, over suspicion and wariness.

Fri, Apr 26:A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. – Proverbs 17:22  Joy is not a characteristic you would ascribe to Fatou, Kadi and Binta.  Yet seemingly, they are not unhappy women.  Rather they are women who have a distinct role to play in life.  Their lives are physically difficult and fragile, but they still find ways to smile and have fun.  Most MNK women are quick to laugh and easily poke fun at one another.  Unfortunately deep inside, they are frightened women, frightened of both today and tomorrow.  Their spirits are crushed under the weight of unbelief.  Pray for the light of Truth and Belief to come into these lives and give Fatou, Kadi and Binta truly cheerful hearts.

Sat, Apr 27:Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. – Proverbs 23:22  Sometimes it is difficult for the boys to sit still when Bakary’s father, Lamin, is talking to them.  Sometimes it is difficult for Bakary, a grown man with three wives of his own, to listen when Lamin is speaking to him.  His stories about the hyenas and the rabbits and the monkeys when he was a child were fun, but how can his father really understand what he is encountering with his own children these days?  Elders are valued, but they seem out of touch with reality in many ways.  Pray that as the Word of God is shared among the MNK, they will recognize many of the values they see as Mandinka, actually began with the Creator of the universe.

Sun, Apr 28:To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. – Proverbs 21:3  Fatou heard discussion this afternoon at the big Sunday market about “paying back” for days missed during fast month.  If for whatever reason you do not fast during any portion of the month of Ramadan, you normally pay back two days for each day missed.  She was listening to one woman go on about how she was going to pay back three for one; sort of “bank” favor with God.  And Fatou knows this woman to be one who is quite pious when she fasts…everyone is aware of her suffering.  Pray for fasting to be seen as a way to have close fellowship and communion with God, rather than as part of a list of requirements; pray for God to visit MNKs in their dreams as they fast.

Mon, Apr 29:Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. – Proverbs 19:21  Bakary has been disturbed by these words ever since he heard them on the radio.  God has a purpose?  Does this mean God has a purpose for man?  Does God have a purpose for Bakary?  What can it be?  Is there something God has for Bakary to do that he’s missed?  How can he find out what that plan is?  Pray for Bakary and other MNK men to be continually disturbed by Scripture; pray they will truly seek God and His purpose.

Tue, Apr 30:Be sure of this:  The wicked will not go unpunished, but those who are righteous will go free. – Proverbs 11:21  Discipline is common among the MNK.  Children are disciplined by parents; wives are disciplined by husbands; men are disciplined by other men.  These situations are obvious and clear.  But confusion comes to the MNK mind when a discussion of God’s discipline comes up.  God will discipline the heathens, but not a good Muslim.  Any evil an MNK might do will be forgiven by God because that is His responsibility…He made us with the ability to sin…so if we sin, it’s His fault, not ours.  Pray for MNKs to discover God’s righteousness, and in doing so, accept their personal need for forgiveness, mercy, and discipline.