Persecutor of Christians in the Republic of Niger chooses relationship with Jesus

Most people native to the Republic of Niger are Muslim.  Their culture and religious practices are part of my every day life - I visited, ate, and played with them.  Some of the Muslims I knew offered me a wealth of things if I would change my beliefs and become a Muslim. One man offered me a car. Another had offered me a new business.  One man even offered his sister as a bride.  

But one day, two African men came to our compound with Bibles.  They were also from the Republic of Niger, but they were not Muslims – they were believers in Christ and had been trained by the Bible League to witness about Jesus.  You must understand, part of Nigerien culture is the history of conflict between Muslims and Christians.  So, even those these men were from the Republic of Niger, I had hate for them simply because they were Christians. Yet, as one of them began to tell about his life and how he was saved, I thought, “I want this; this could be me!”

Because of the salvation message shared to me by this Christian man from my own Republic of Niger, I asked him if he would pray with me so I, too, could have Jesus come into my life.  He did.  After I prayed, I felt a change – I felt completely different.

The two Christian men from the Republic of Niger began teaching about God from the Bible at the church, so I went to hear them.  It seemed that every word was directed to me.  For the first time in my life, I knelt down and cried out in prayer, straight from my heart to God, telling Him everything: all my sins, all of my hopes and dreams … everything.  My life was changed that very day!

Witnessing to others

I still live in the Republic of Niger, in the village where there are many Muslims.  But the people in my village cannot recognize me. I am a different person. They ask if I was changed by medicine or magic.  I tell them Jesus is now my life and I praise the Lord for His wonderful mercy towards me.  It is now me – as a Christian man in Niger – who is witnessing to others about Jesus Christ.

God’s Word provides strength for men like Samuel who have no other source of spiritual nourishment when their faith is tested. With your partnership, the Bible League is helping to feed believers in the Republic of Niger and other places like it around the world.  Please pray for new Christians in the Republic of Niger – and all of Africa – and thank God that He is near to everyone who sincerely calls to Him for help.

He listens to His followers…He answers their prayers and saves them. (Ps 145:18, 19)