What Happened When a Missionary Got Lost In The Bush

It was the first time Dela, a OneWay Africa Jesus Film Rider, had ever felt this kind of fear in the field. When he looked around, he observed an endless expanse of African trees, sparse grass, and thick dirt.

Earlier that morning, he had set out on his motorcycle toward a remote Muslim village to show the Jesus Film and share the gospel. But somewhere along the way, he realized he was completely lost.

Surrounded by miles of African bush, Dela stopped and recorded a video for the OneWay family.

"I don't know where I am," Dela said. "But I'm trusting my Lord will take me there. It is scary, but I know the Lord is with me. Keep me in prayer."

When his message was received, Dela's OneWay's family prayed for God to guide him safely and open hearts in the village he was trying to reach.

And that's exactly what happened.

Around 5:00 p.m., Dela rode into the village and asked Mba Fuseini, a Muslim leader, for permission to show the Jesus Film.

The response surprised him.

"They said, 'Oh, that's very good! You should come in the evening and show the movie."

Before they watched the film, Dela sat down with Mba and the chief imam who oversees the mosque. Although it was a time of muslim fasting, Mba decided to eat.

"It wasn't time for them to break the fast," Dela said. "He said, as for him, he's going to eat. The reason being that he's tired of Islam."

The next day, 50 villagers gathered to watch the film. Afterwards, Dela shared the gospel and invited people to respond.

"They were so impressed," Dela said. "I think it's everything about Jesus and the way we presented the love of God."

As Dela packed his equipment, Mba stepped forward amidst the Muslim Crowd.

"I think he wasn't able to hide it, so he came," Dela said. "He made a confession of faith in Christ."

Mba became the first known believer in his village. Dela shared two audio Bibles for himself and his family. Before long, another woman from the village also chose to follow Jesus.

What began as a frightening day alone in the bush ended with new believers in a place where the gospel had never taken root before.

"Prayer works," Dela said. "These people are ripe for harvest. It encourages me not to give up."

The Jesus Film Riders are covering much ground in Africa, and many they reach are leaving Islam and turning to Christ.

"I know the intercessions are going up every day. So, I just want to encourage them. They should not give up. Their prayers are breaking ground for us. Their prayers are opening the hearts of the people."

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Equip Dela for the Next 40,000 Souls

Over the last five years, Dela has seen incredible fruit: 40,098 people reached with the Jesus Film and nearly 4,000 decisions for Christ.

But after years of rugged use in the bush, his gear desperately needs to be replaced.

We need $3,000 to fully re-equip Dela. Will you help reach more villages?

• $75 — Covers shipping costs to the field

• $325 — Provides a waterproof backpack to protect the gear

• $400 — Fund the solar panel and outdoor projection screen

• $2,200 — Provide the Vista-600 projection system

Your gift of any amount will help Dela continue bringing the gospel to communities that may otherwise never have the opportunity to hear that Jesus died for them!

Click the button below to fund life-saving Jesus Film equipment!

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