About four months ago, our language helper, Amadou, and I decided we should limit our contact to make ourselves less of a target for opposition in town. Instead of three to four daily meetings, we now see each other once a week. Though this new strategy helped reduce tensions in town, my language learning suffered. But thankfully, God rescued me by sending another young man.

Rodrigue Gounou is 21 years old. He has completed his high school studies but did not pass the national exam. Originally from southern Benin, he is from the Fon ethnic group that makes up nearly 40 percent of the population in the country. His parents moved north for business, and he grew up among the Dendi. Dendi is his mother tongue. He is very friendly and helpful, and the people in his quarter are quite fond of him.

I first met Rodrigue in 2007 when he was working at a car wash. He went the extra mile and really impressed me with his work. I gave him a small gift and left with a good impression of him. Since then, we’ve met often in town, but I didn’t try to build a relationship with him since I was focusing on Dendi people. However, as I looked for some one who could help me continue my language learning, God sent me this young man.

Working with me, Rodrigue faces less family and community pressure than Amadou did. Rodrigue is generally thought of as a member of the Dendi Muslim community, though everyone knows his parents are immigrants from the south. He has prayed with his Muslim friends in different mosques and participated in many Muslim practices. However, he never made the decision to become a baptized Muslim.

As Rodrigue and I started working on my language acquisition, he taught me new expressions and explained more details of cultural practices. Since his level of education is higher than Amadou’s, he has more insight into some practices. He also translated some Muslim sermons for me that were preached during the month of Ramadan.

Rodrigue was very interested in my faith, too, so I shared the gospel message with him. After Bible studies and completing two Bible courses, Rodrigue expressed a desire to give his life to Christ and join us in our faith.

We are very happy for Rodrigue’s conversion, though we don’t see it necessarily as a step toward reaching our Dendi people. As we pray for God’s leading in Rodrigue’s life, we humbly surrender our future to Him as well. Thanks for your prayers and support.

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