Testimonies from Africa

Psalm 62 expresses the cry of Christians in the West African Sahel. Several Sahelian countries have been experiencing terrorist attacks for more than 10 years. Like David, we feel hungry and harassed by the enemy. David was abandoned by his faith collaborators, betrayed. In these difficult times, David did not use violence, trickery or any physical means to get rid of his enemies. He left it to God and he put his trust in God.

God is our home, our refuge and our hope in times of trial.

There was a retired high school teacher in eastern Burkina Faso. For some time, this region has been controlled by terrorists. One day they found him in the church, teaching. They asked him what was he was doing, and he replied that he was teaching the Bible. The terrorists told him that the stage of the Bible has passed and it is now the time of Muhammad; he must change his religion. He replied that at his age he cannot change his religion.

They told him he must stop teaching, and they will take him to their leader. They forced him to take his car, which they also got into. On the way, the terrorists said that this car now belongs to them. The teacher started to pray, asking God to give him wisdom in how to respond to the terrorists.

Arriving at the leader of the terrorists, he was asked who owned the car. He responded, “It belongs to my sister-in-law.” The leader answered: “You are fortunate it belongs to a woman because we do not take away women’s property”. They ordered him not to teach about Jesus anymore because it s now Muhammad’s time. He replied that it was not Muhammad that Jesus was talking about who would come, but the Holy Spirit who was to come and help believers.

After a period of interrogation, where the teacher remained calm and confident, they sent him to a place where he could easily return home.

The teacher placed his faith and hope in God, who promised his children by saying to keep calm and that God will fight for them (Exodus 14:14).

Testimony provided by

Siaka Traoré, pastor, Eglise Evangélique Mennonite du Burkina Faso