July 2004

MNK Update: July 16- Aug 9, 2004

Prayer Requests July 18 to August 9

Thank God with us for this unprecedented opportunity to share the needs of the MNK.

Thank God for the MNK Bible translation; continue to pray that this ministry will go forward; we are so thankful for all those who have labored in this for more than 30 years.

Thank God for the airing of the radio Bible history of the city of Sodom. This story includes the proclamation that Sarah would give birth to a son. Many MNK women who are barren lead sad and shamed lives; thank God for this testimony of God’s faithfulness to women!

Pray for the 500,000 MNK in The Gambia as this country celebrates the 10^th anniversary of a military coups d’etat

Pray for peace and religious freedom in all of MNK land.

Ask God to enable the airing of the extremely important radio lesson, The Birth of Isaac. MNK's believe that Ishmael is the son of promise to Abraham, not Isaac. This lesson will likely cause frustration and confusion in the minds of those who truly listen to it. Ask God to give MNK men and women ears to hear the Truth.

Pray for MNK women to desire to know not only things of God, but God Himself; pray as they listen to the radio broadcasts.

Pray for MNK men to become dissatisfied with Islam and seek after Truth.

Pray for MNK children to find freedom in Christ and the strength to cast off these amulets.

Mandinka (MNK) Update

July 1-15, 2004

It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. – Acts 4:10,12

Names are of paramount importance in MNK society. An individual’s last name identifies the father, his father before him, his grandfather and so on. (MNK women keep their father’s sir name for life, irregardless of their marital state.) The sir name indicates where the family comes from, and what caste they were/are in MNK society. It indicates whether you come from the line of kings, or a line of woodworkers, or a line of traditional healers. The given name, or first name, identifies a specific person who had a significant influence in the life of the father. This might be an uncle or a brother or a friend from childhood; whomever it is now has a special relationship/responsibility with the child throughout their lifetime. The name might also signify a situation at birth…time of year…place of birth, etc.

God said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers – the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob – has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation. – Exodus 3:15

Some African societies are able to recount their legacy for 10+ generations. The popularity of Alex Haley’s book, Roots, has brought renewed pride to the MNK. Haley’s main character, Kunta Kinte, was an MNK forcibly removed from his home in West Africa and sold into slavery; his name reflects a rich MNK history. More recently, however, most MNK are given a name found either in the Qu’ran or Islamic traditional history.

As you pray for each name, pray that these men will come to know God as Father through Jesus, and that they will desire to have restored fellowship with Him. Pray for them to come to know their true heritage as sons of the living God.

Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help you pray more effectively for the MNK or if you have any questions. And visit the website www.mandinkapeople.com

Thu, Jul 1: Ask God to grant to Landing what his name implies – great faith! Landing might also be called Malang or Lamin; all have the same meaning. A Christian worker among the MNK with this name recently had the roof blown completely off his house. Pray for Landing’s faith to be evident to all as he patiently awaits the finances for the repairs.

Fri, Jul 2: Ask God to bless Maalefi , whose name means I don’t want. If a woman has had several children die, often a name will be chosen to confuse the evil spirits. Pray that this man will come to know the God of all creation who does want him…who sent His son to die so that Maalefi might have life!

Sat, Jul 3: Thank God for Adama, MNK for Adam. This is the name given to a male twin; his sister would be named Hawa, or Eve. Pray for Adama to hear the voice of God calling him, just as Adam did in the garden; pray he will seek God’s face and forgiveness.

Sun, Jul 4: Ask God to give Kaba an abundant harvest this rainy season. The name, Kaba, is the MNK word for corn seed. Pray for the physical strength Kaba will need to work his field; pray that his corn harvest will surpass last year’s; pray that, as he works in his field, Kaba will seek the God of the Harvest.

Mon, Jul 5: Thank God for Fina. Fina means word-crafter; he uses words, as opposed to music, to tell the history of the MNK and specific families. Pray for Fina to come to know God and to use his training to tell the history of Jesus Christ to every MNK he knows!

Tue, Jul 6: Ask God to enlighten Mamadou, or Modou. This is the MNK variant of Mohammed. Most first born sons are named after the prophet of Islam. Ask God to reveal to these men that their salvation and hope lies not in a man or a prophet, but in the Living God.

Wed, Jul 7: Thank God for the radio broadcast tonight entitled Abraham: God’s Friend. Many MNK men are named Ibrima, or Ibrahima. Thank God for the testimony of this prophet in Scripture; ask God to enable those men who bear this name to be called God’s Friend.

Thu, Jul 8: Ask God to strengthen Bakary, or Boubacarr. This was the name of one of Mohammed’s original followers. Pray that Bakary will listen to the words as spoken by the followers of Jesus.

Fri, Jul 9: Thank God for our friend, Keeba. His name means old one, obviously named for an older adult when he was born. Ask the Ancient of Days to reveal Himself to Keeba.

Sat, Jul 10: Ask God to grant health to Nyaamoo. His name means born in the grass, or bush. Many babies born during the rainy season do not thrive well. Ask God to protect MNK children; ask Him to provide opportunities for children to hear the Truth.

Sun, Jul 11: Thank God that He never sleeps and that He is always aware of our circumstances. Pray for Sunkutoo whose name means little girl. This man’s father wanted the spirits to think he was a girl, not a boy. Thank God that He is always in control; pray that Sunkutoo will not fear the evil spirits, but learn to trust in the Holy and Righteous One.

Mon, Jul 12: Ask God to honor Alhaji’s desire to know Him. Alhaji designates one who has been to Mecca on pilgrimage; this title now replaces any names this man was given by his father. Ask God to help Alhaji recognize the difference between truths of God and the lies of Satan.

Tue, Jul 13: Thank God that the name of Esa, or Isa is honored in MNK society; this is the Arabic name for Jesus. MNKs appreciate Jesus as an honored prophet, but not as the Son of God. Thank God for those men named Esa; ask God to enable them to grasp the reality of Jesus as fully human and fully God.

Wed, Jul 14: Ask God to remove all hindrances that would prevent the airing of tonight’s radio Bible broadcast, Abraham and Ishmael. Pray for the truth of the story of Abraham and Ishmael’s birth to be clear.

Thu, Jul 15: Thank God for the prophet David, Dawuda. While believers gain strength from reading the book of Psalms, most MNKs have never read them. Pray that Dawuda will desire to read the writings of his namesake, and that through reading these, hearts will become tender to the call of God to repentence and true worship.