One by One - The Gambia

By Stan Haegert

Mud oozed over the sides of my sandaled feet and small burrs clung to the edges of my robe as I made my way down the rutted path. Tall stalks of millet, heavy with grain, protested my progress, leaning over the trail to slap my face and shoulders. A heavy wind had roared through that morning, battering the stalks to nearly horizontal positions. Most would right themselves within a few days and go on to be harvested, but many were broken and already being trampled on the path. Such a storm presents a real concern to farmers, for whom every stalk is important. Unlike many places where hundreds and thousands of heads of grain are harvested at once, in The Gambia, heads of grain are harvested one by one, using a special instrument, carried by hand.

As I made my way to SJ's house, the imagery was rich. I wondered what kind of grain he would prove to be. I had studied with him almost weekly for exactly one year, patiently teaching through the Old Testament, then on into the Gospels and the book of Acts. He had heard the message of salvation explained dozens of times. He had studied faithfully, but gave little indication of his heart beliefs. Will he go on to ripen and be harvested, I wondered as I made my way, or will some storm batter him down to be trampled underfoot?

As we finished our study of the stoning of Stephen, I said, "What Stephen experienced reminds me of your comment a few weeks ago. You said that if you declared your faith in Christ, you would likely be spat upon." SJ was silent for a few moments, then replied, "I am almost ready to confess Christ, but I have some concerns." He proceeded to ask whether other believers would accept him since he has an unbelieving wife. I assured him they would, since they also have unbelieving wives and are sharing the Word of God with them. We talked about how he would not be alone, but could depend on his brothers in Christ to encourage him. He then asked, "What, then, is my next step?"

I told him the next step takes place in his heart and mind when he stops placing his trust for salvation in any good thing that he might do to try to earn God's favor, and places it solely on what Jesus did for him.

When I left, SJ said, "I think when you come next week, you will see the fruit of all your coming and going. I want to make it a very special day!"

A week later I made my way down the same path and found many heads of grain bent low by the previous week's storm standing straight and tall. I also found SJ standing in a new place of assurance, having put his trust in Jesus.

SJ had informed his wife about his decision, telling her that while she was welcome to follow him, he would not forbid her to practice her present religion. She said she would accept his decision but continue in her present beliefs. That is a wonderful response, as she could have left him immediately. Her father is a prominent Islamic teacher.
SJ is filled with desire to deepen his knowledge of God's Word, "So that I will know how to answer those who ask why I have done this." The Holy Spirit is gradually transforming his character as he walks with Christ.

In some places hundreds and thousands of heads of grain are harvested at once. But in The Gambia, heads of grain are harvested one by one, using a very special Instrument—the Word of God—carried in the hand of one of God's servants.

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