After visiting the civil and military administrations of Kandi a few weeks after our arrival, I began to plan for my meetings with the Kandi’s head imam, the town chief, and the town landlord. I knew it would be best to be accompanied by local elders when I went to meet these important men. Elmire and I prayed for God’s guidance in our choice, and we were amazed at His providence.

The first two elders our language helpers introduced us to for advanced language study and cultural insight happened to be just the men to introduce me to the leaders. One elder, whom I’ve written of before, is the muezzin of the central mosque, where he works with the head imam. He is also a friend of the town landlord. The second elder is a relative of the town chief. With these two elders at my side, my visits were a success.

And God did not stop there. Thrilled by our initiative, t The Muezzin of the Central Mosque
The Muezzin of the Central Mosque he chief began to speak about my family background. He explained to his noblemen that, as he looked at me and observed my manners, he thought I might be from a royal background. The chief was proud to be right when I confirmed that my grandfather was a chief and a village landlord. After this revelation, the men paid me new respect and honor. The chief at Kandi is historically a warrior chief and subject to the Kandi landlord who had to give his blessing before the chief could go to war to defend the town and the villages. The head imam, the chief and the landlord all gave me their blessing and wished me success in my mission. All three gave their word to support me in my work. What providence! Thanks for your support in prayer as we move forward.

“And Jesus looking upon them said, ‘With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible’” (Mark 10:27).

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