Chad needs the Word of God
Chad is a Gideon-designated International Outreach Country. This means it is open to the Gideon ministry…but the local Gideons need financial support to purchase Scriptures for distribution. More than 80% of the Chad population lives below the poverty line—and over half the people are Muslim. The Gideon ministry was established there back in 1976. Since then, Gideons have distributed almost 2 million copies of God’s Word. Today, there are 400 local Gideon members, and 322 Auxiliary members (wives of Gideons), serving in Chad.
Gideon regional field officer has a learning experience early on
This past May and June, a Gideon regional field officer traveled to Chad to strengthen the Scripture distribution efforts. As his trip began, an interpreter and guide, Mosie, stopped their vehicle at a small village—very early in the morning. Unsure of why they had stopped, the field officer followed Mosie as he approached a large crowd of people sitting on the ground. Everyone had their shoes off, so this field officer followed the example and removed his shoes, too.
Mosie, the guide, went through the crowd, shaking hands and hugging different people…but no one spoke a word. Mosie sat down; the field officer did, too. They sat for about ten minutes—in silence—then they got up, put their shoes back on, and continued on their way. This Gideon field officer soon found out that he had just participated in his first funeral wake visitation in Chad…Mosie’s aunt had died the day before.
One prison Scripture distribution goes quite smoothly
Working with the local Gideons in the next town, the field officer visited a state prison operated by Muslim officials and guards. To the Gideon team’s amazement, they were asked to present a message about the Testaments that they brought for the prisoners. All of the male prisoners, mostly Muslim, were gathered into an open courtyard—about 300 of them.
The inmates were very attentive as the Gideon message was translated into French, and then into Arabic. The Gideon field officer pointed out the Helps section of the New Testaments indicating where to find verses to deal with life’s problems. Their eyes began to light up when the field officer told them, “This book can show you how to receive the free gift of salvation, and be set free spiritually, although incarcerated.” Surprisingly, the same Muslim officials and guards then thanked the Gideons when they had finished speaking and distributing God’s Word.
Another prison distribution benefits from God’s intervention
At the next prison, the Gideon message to the inmates was once again translated into both French and Arabic, while the local Gideons handed out New Testaments. This time, the prisoners became somewhat unruly, and in their frantic grabbing of the Testaments, the Gideons were being pushed around. They feared a riot. Just then, a sudden miraculous downpour of rain dispersed the prison mob and restored order.
Auxiliary members were also able to sit on the ground and witness to a female inmate who could not read or write. These Gideon wives led her to the Lord while the Gideons completed their prison distribution to the men.
Hospital distribution requires some flexibility…yet changes a life
At one hospital distribution—as the Gideons placed Testaments on the bedside tables—a doctor came behind them…gathering up the Testaments. He said that people would steal them. He promised the Gideons that he would put each Testament back once patients occupied the beds.
During this hospital distribution, Dolitar, another Gideon interpreter and host for the visiting field officer, led a Muslim nurse to the Lord. Dolitar was extremely excited because this was the first time he had been used by the Lord to lead a soul to Jesus. He later won his second soul to Christ in his own home: the 18-year old cousin of his wife. You can read her testimony by clicking on the “Changed Lives” button on the left column of this site. Then click on “Text” and look for the testimony titled: “She turned to Christ…and found new peace.”
Pray for the people of Chad
The Gideons International has set a challenging goal of distributing 12,500 copies of God’s Word in Chad during the current fiscal year. Pray for more funds to distribute more Scriptures…and, if you can, please make a donation.
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