My name is Fatouma, and I am the daughter of a renowned marabout (soothsayer). When I met my husband, I had no idea that he was a Christian. Every day, he would leave the house, and I assumed he was going to work, even on Saturdays. When I asked him, “Do you work on Saturday?” he never gave me a clear answer.

One day, I decided to find out where he went on Saturdays. I followed him and saw that he went into a church. When he got back home, I asked him why he had not told me he was going to church. The next Saturday, I decided to follow him again to the church, and I entered shortly after. The pastor’s wife welcomed me warmly. The songs and the way of worship captivated my heart. After the service, she suggested that she visit me that day. We went to my house, talked and shared a meal. She then encouraged me to attend church with her the following Saturday.

Singing is my passion, but when I entered the church, I realized I could not sing. I began to suspect that my father might have had a spiritual influence on me. During the pastor’s sermon, he emphasized the importance of fully embracing Jesus without any reservations or compromise. He then made an altar call, inviting anyone with talismans to surrender them to Jesus. I had talismans given to me by my father, who claimed they would protect me from evil and bring me good luck. However, after receiving these talismans, I had been in poor health. My father would even offer sacrifices of sheep to his gods in hopes of easing my suffering; at times, I had become so overwhelmed without my talismans that I could reach a point of madness, even falling into a coma.

However, the pastor told me that if I believed in Jesus Christ, He would deliver me. I called my father and told him that both my husband and I wanted me to give up my talismans. My family responded by saying that if I followed my husband, whatever happened to me would not be their concern. My uncle even used spiritual means to prevent me from giving birth, claiming that my husband would discourage and ultimately divorce me. My family abandoned me. No one ate my food, and no one spoke to me.

Yet God delivered me from the bondage of darkness, just as He delivered Daniel from the lions’ den.

After a while, I became seriously ill. My mother came to visit me and reminded me of what she had said before. She wanted to take me to the family shrine to seek help from the gods, but I refused. I insisted that my husband would take care of me. He took me to the hospital, where I spent three weeks receiving treatment, while the church prayed for me. Ultimately, God healed me.

In my country, changing from Islam to any other religion is acceptable, but converting to Christianity from Islam can be incredibly challenging. However, if you truly believe and persevere, you will find salvation in Jesus Christ, like I did.
Fatouma’s family regarded her as pagan, believing that her spiritual practices and values effectively alienated her from their shared familial bond. This viewpoint not only deepens the chasm between believers, families and communities but also stifles the vibrant tapestry of diverse thoughts and beliefs that could encourage more profound connections and understanding. Instead of embracing a believer’s new and unique perspective, others see it as a barrier, overlooking the potential for conversations that could lead to mutual respect and acceptance within family and community dynamics. For Fatouma, the unspoken tension left her feeling isolated, as her longing for acceptance clashed with the traditional views of her family, ultimately preventing them from experiencing the richness that a variety of beliefs can bring.

Please pray for the Malinke community and those who wish to give their lives to Jesus, as did Fatouma. Each time a person wishes to convert, they and their families face this great controversy between Christ and Satan. We are here to encourage them and lift them before the cross.

In support of our community, we have a vision of creating a vibrant and welcoming space, where individuals and families can come together for worship, fellowship and care, making a lasting impact on their lives. To that end, we are currently working on a church and parsonage building project, which includes a sanctuary designed to foster connection, outreach and spirituality. Your prayers and generous financial contributions are essential in bringing our vision to life among these people. If you have any questions or need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us. Together, we can ensure the successful realization of this vital initiative. God bless you.

• Twitter