Teaching in the village

I will summarize my last two visits to the village here.
I went at the end of September on the first trip and I just returned from the second on Wednesday (10/12). Both trips were 3 days in length.
I was able to continue the teaching program with Xoni, Janji, Wiye, Simiti, and Musaa. This is where I am with each of them:
Xoni, one of the 4 thieves that came to stay with us is continuing on. In our reviewing the evangelistic lessons he shows that he clearly understood the key concepts of the gospel and is believing them himself. This is very encouraging!
Janji was in town this last week but was absent the earlier trip. We mostly reviewed. He has about 5 lessons to go before completing the evangelistic lessons.
Wiye and Simiti are together. They have 4 lessons to go. Next week we should should cover the Last Supper and the death and Resurrection of Christ.
Musaa studied with Wiye and Simiti but he came out to Kedougou yesterday on business so we seized the opportunity and studied yesterday and today and were able to complete the evangelistic lessons. This was a very exciting time for both of us. The lesson on the death of Christ impacted him greatly. I will quote here from an email to my dad explaining what happened.

We were on the lesson of Judas' betrayal in the morning and he was planning to leave that afternoon, but after hearing that part of the story he said he would stay and hear the end. So he did and I taught on the death of Christ that evening. After that lesson he was pumped. He couldn't believe it. He was really amazed and excited at the same time. It was really neat to see. I've never had anyone respond like that. I'm sure it helped that he had a few drinks before he came over to loosen him up a bit. But I was asking questions all the way throughout the lesson to see if he was tracking and he was.

Some of his comments at the end:

- "Man, I could never do what Jesus did. He did all that suffering and died when he didn't do anything wrong, and all that so that other people could have peace. I would never do that."

- "I am so glad that I heard all these lessons. After each lesson I would say 'thank you', but now I really mean it."

- "I finally understand why you wanted to study all these times. I have heard of Jesus and him dying on the cross but I never really understood until today."

- "I can't believe Jesus did all that for me. What can I do for him?"

- "Now I understand why people wear crosses around their necks. I want a cross so I will always be reminded of what Jesus did for me that day."

It was also neat to see that right after we got done talking after the lesson he picked up the translation of the book of Mark and started reading it. His literacy level is low but he is able to sound out most words. I gave him the book and encouraged him to read a little each day. He slept at our place (he got some money stolen at his other host's place the night before and wasn't excited about going back) and this morning we studied the resurrection and ascension. I also asked some extra questions at the beginning to make sure that he was still remembering what we talked about the night before (considering that he had had those drinks before the lesson). Everything was still there so we continued on. He is headed home now. I will see him next week when I go out. I plan to go on Wednesday.

The photo here is when Musaa was reading the book of Mark.  Please continue to pray for all these men, their families who have yet to hear, and also myself.

On a side note, I talked with Bakari on the phone.  He has been out of town for a couple months now working at some gold mines and said he should be in Madina when I return.  Hopefully we'll be able to continue with the lessons.  He was studying with Musaa so hopefully Musaa will be an encouragement to him to continue on.