I am in Africa, we’ve been here two weeks with another week to go. Things have been popping while we seek to minister to hundreds of pastors. As you know we have BWM staff in 6 countries. They show the Jesus film and other evangelistic films in very remote places, sometimes where folks have never seen a movie. That’s amazing. One such place had some excitement two weeks ago just as I arrived in Kenya.
Jesus film for Refugees
Near the border of Zambia and Tanzania there are thousands of refugees who have fled the violence in the DRC (Congo). Our staff leader in that area, Charles Mwaigomole, is 26 year old. Fearlessly, he rode his motor-bike into that camp and made arrangements to show the Jesus film in a small church. He and the pastor were very aware this is a dangerous enterprise in this heavily controlled Muslim area. The word went out that a movie was being shown that evening. A big crowd gathered as darkness closed in. Charles will show the two hour film (the life of Jesus) then make an appeal for people to trust Christ as their Savior. This evening will be different.
Drunken Police
There was a commotion at the back of the small church, as two very drunk police men can barging in. They were shouting for the people to leave and began destroying the pulpit and other furniture in the auditorium. Later we will learn these men were Muslims, with a bitter spirit towards the Gospel. They then turned on Charles.
Beaten and Jailed
Charles and the pastor tried to protest, only to be kicked, beaten in the face, and dragged off to a nasty, local jail. Our video equipment and motor bike were confiscated by these two thugs. What was their crime? None, they were perfectly within their rights to gather people in the church and see the film. However, in Africa, where Shari’s law rules, we Christians have no rights. Especially when we evangelize.
Acts 16 Revisited
Soon as I heard about the beating and arrest, I prayed for Charles, because I know such happenings are meant to terrorize our men so they are afraid to continue the ministry God has called them to. Also, I know Charles, he, like all our young guys has a warrior spirit. After a few days with hundreds of people here in America and Africa praying for Charles and the pastor, they were released. I called him by cell phone- anxious to hear what God had done in that jail. You do know that men like Charles Mwaigomole are living dangerously in the center of the Father’s will. That center is a very safe place to be indeed. I called wanting to know what miracles God did during those 48 hours in jail. After hearing the he was beaten, but ok, I asked him if he preached the Gospel while in that horrible place? Without a moments hesitation, Charles told me that there were two accused murderers in the dell with him. He led both of them to faith in Christ!
Praise Jesus!
