This is what Chase said every time we went out. You would not believe the number of sheep we have seen in town over the past week! They lined the main roads with their herders somewhere in the middle. The air was heavy with their baa-ing… and their smell. They were here because of the Muslim holiday called Tabaski. On this day, every family goes to the mosque with their sheep to pray over it, so that it will take on their sins. The sheep is then sacrificed to atone for those sins. They cut up the sheep and barbecue it, and then everyone feasts for the rest of the day. In the evening they all put on their new clothes and go around visiting their neighbors. They ask forgiveness from everyone they meet in case they have offended someone, even unknowingly.
For those of us who know that Jesus is the only true Atonement for our sins, this is really a very sad holiday. We know that all of the praying and sacrificing does nothing to pay for anyone’s sins. Sadder still, is that even after the sacrifice, a Muslim still has no assurance that he will go to Paradise when he dies.
We often feel helpless amidst the millions of people who are deceived and lost. What can just one person do? We have learned that we can pray and we can share the Truth with those nearest to us. We ask that you would pray for the millions of Muslims who are lost. Especially, we ask that you pray for our neighbors with whom we are building relationships. We so want to share the Gospel with them and see their lives truly changed. We want each of them to know the joy and peace of accepting Christ – the True Sacrifice.
Please pray for:
Nane and her husband and family.
Abby, Mohammed, and Leila
Pape, Djibi, Tham, and Chantal
Moustapha
We are asking the Lord that their hearts would be open. We are asking for wisdom and boldness in sharing. We are also asking that we will be able to speak their language well enough to share.
Thank you for praying with us and for us! Each of you is important in the Lord’s work here in Dakar.
