I discovered the following story while reading Philip Yancy’s book Vanishing Grace. I think it’s pretty incredible. Read for yourself...
Matthew Parris, a journalist and former member of parliament in the U.K., grew up in Africa. In 2008 he returned to his childhood home after forty-five years and wrote an article for The Times of London with the subtitle, “Missionaries, Not Aid Money, Are the Solution to Africa’s Biggest Problem—The Crushing Passivity of the People’s Mindset.”
“Now a confirmed atheist, I’ve become convinced of the enormous contribution that Christian evangelism makes in Africa: sharply distinct from the work of secular NGOs, government projects and international aid efforts. These alone will not do. Education and training alone will not do. In Africa Christianity changes people’s hearts. It brings a spiritual transformation. The rebirth is real. The change is good. I used to avoid this truth by applauding—as you can—the practical work of mission churches in Africa. It’s a pity, I would say, that salvation is part of the package, but Christians black and white, working in Africa, do heal the sick, do teach people to read and write; and only the severest kind of secularist could see a mission hospital or school and say the world would be better without it. I would allow that if faith was needed to motivate missionaries to help, then, fine: but what counted was the help, not the faith. But this doesn’t fit the facts. Faith does more than support the missionary; it is also transferred to his flock. This is the effect that matters so immensely, and which I cannot help observing. . . "
-Yancey, Philip. Vanishing Grace: Bringing Good News to a Deeply Divided World (p. 167). Zondervan
I Googled Matthew Parris and a decade later, his perspective of Christianity in Africa has remained the same.
Mission work matters, even to people who don’t believe in God.
The Flow Foundation is blessed to partner with four mission works located in Africa:
International Missions (AIM) was formed in the heart of Ramjaane Joshua while he was a college student. Living through the Rwandan genocide and seeing his own father martyred, Ramjaane became convicted that the only path to real peace in East Africa was for Jesus to rule in the lives of his fellow citizens. “Atawale” is the Swahili word for “Let Him Rule.”AIM is currently sharing Jesus’ truth and mercy in eight East African Countries: Uganda, Rwanda, D.R. Congo, Tanzania, Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, and South Sudan. In each of these countries AIM is providing humanitarian assistance, spiritual training, and Christian community. The FLOW is working with AIM to establish a physical presence in Rwanda. This physical space will serve as a resource for the local AIM disciple-maker to host discipleship meetings. This facility will also serve as a humanitarian distribution center.
Brooklyn Howard lives and shares Jesus in Mozambique. Currently, Mozambique has an extremely depressed economy. The surrounding countries have thriving economies and each of these countries speak English. Mozambique, whose national language is Portuguese, is filled with people wishing to learn English to seek employment in neighboring countries. Brooklyn teaches English classes to 30 students using the Bible as the text. In her very first class, two of Brooklyn’s students asked to be taught about Jesus.
Next Generation for Christ ministry is a global ministry that partners with Made In The Streets ministry in Nairobi, Kenya. Made In The Streets is a ministry dedicated to discipling and loving homeless teens who live on the streets of Nairobi. Next Gen provides online Bible classes as well as mentors for teens and disciple-making leaders. Next Gen also provides professionally produced videos called the Story of Redemption to connect these vulnerable young people with God’s love and acceptance. The Flow helps fund Next Gen’s work with Made In The Streets.
Over the past decade God has brought about an astounding Disciple Making Movement in Cuba. Three years ago the leaders of this movement fasted and prayed and felt God’s call to send their three most effective leadership families to North Africa. The Flow is blessed to support this amazing work where dedicated disciple-makers are building relationships to sow the seed of the good news of Jesus into a Muslim culture.
If you want to learn more about these four mission works that are helping to change the future of Africa, go to the missions page of our website. https://www.flowlivingwater.org/mission-work. While there, check out the other mission works with whom The Flow partners. You will quickly see how these disciple makers are blessing many countries and cultures around the world.
God’s goodness and grace,
Bruce