Searching.... (by Thom)

(Note: because of the sensitive nature of this entry several specific details have been left intentionally vague.)

Searching is a word we’ve been using a lot to describe our language teacher. A few months back our regular teacher had to take a break from classes because of another job he had. Just as we were ready to restart our classes (Amanda in Bambara and Thom in French) he had an accident on his motorcycle which severely damaged his hand. Because of this he couldn’t come to teach us and found a substitute teacher for us.

In my first class with this new teacher he began to ask some interesting questions. He asked about Jesus, about why I was a Christian, about why I was in Mali as a missionary, about what I thought love was, and what one must do to become a Christian. Honestly, I was floored. In his religion it is strongly discouraged to ask these sorts of questions. In my best broken French I honestly answered his questions. Later that week we were meeting with another missionary who also uses this person as her language teacher. She told me that he had asked her the same questions! He wasn’t asking for philosophical reasons; he seemed to be honestly searching for truth and answers. Our substitute teacher has also been asking Amanda's Bambara class the same questions. In other classes with the other missionary he’s asked about what will happen when he dies. This has been something that seems to deeply concern him. After getting an answer he asked his religious leader that same question. The leader waited 5 minutes before answering and then said, “Well, there’s heaven and hell. I don’t know what will happen”. He went on to say that he didn’t know what would happen to himself, even. Our teacher found it strange that a religious leader couldn’t honestly say he knew his fate.

Our teacher has been reading the Bible in our language classes and even outside. Please pray for him. Our regular teacher is due back next week and our business relationship with our substitute is over but he has expressed a desire to come and visit as well as have us visit him. One of the greatest things in all of this is that he acknowledges that all of this (the accident and him becoming our substitute teacher) isn’t random chance. Again, please pray for the continuing of his spiritual journey that he will see that Jesus offers a future that is free of uncertainty and will make the commitment that will set him free from spiritual bondage.