Get to Know the Context of the Geba Animists Project

Preaching the gospel in the 10/40 window has different difficulties depending on the country and its local reality. Adventist Frontier Missions ' Geba Animists project, for example, deals with one of the least developed countries in its region and the world. In Guinea-Bissau (west coast of Africa), 75 percent of the population is in extreme poverty. It is a country that is a victim of political and social instability; it has also experienced a civil war. Furthermore, Guinea-Bissau has become a gateway for trafficking between America, Europe, and Asia, which makes its social structure difficult. Additionally, this country has a diversity of ethnic groups, and only 20 percent of the population is Christian; Islam is the dominant religion.

However, such a scenario did not discourage Gláucia dos Santos, a missionary, and the ministerial family of Pastor Vanius and Elisabete Dias. They were willing to reach the unreached peoples who live in Bissau, and since 2021, they have dedicated their lives to preaching the gospel in the community where they are living.

“Sometimes in the mission field, we feel incapable and even unworthy of the work. Today, I understand that these are ordinary days and that they are part of our life, of the feelings that every imperfect human being like me has, even more in the face of the commitments we make before God. But with Him and through Him, miracles are possible,”, said Vanius.

Baptisms in Guinea-Bissau

After nearly a year of intensive work on the Geba Animists Project, Adventist Frontier Missions Brazil missionaries were able to celebrate lives being given to Jesus. The discipleship work began through meetings on Fridays in a house borrowed by one of the natives. Subsequently, a Portuguese course, with tutoring for the children, was opened. Over time, these activities became a point of influence for the community, and the Friday meetings became a group Bible study. In April, three people who started in the Portuguese course and went through the Friday meetings and Bible studies made the decision to surrender to Christ through baptism.

"Auack Imbunhe was one of the young people baptized, and when he accepted the call for baptism, he said that throughout his studies, he understood that he cannot stay" on the fence" —that is, indecisive—but stand on the side of God," said Gláucia. For Auack, baptism marks a new journey, without fear of evil powers and with a strong commitment to bring this light to his friends and family of his ethnic group, the Balantas. He is saddened to know that many are trapped in traditional teachings, but "he hopes that many will open their hearts to God and be freed from the prison they are in," emphasized Gláucia.

"I know that the party in heaven happened, too, and I believe that when we are together in eternity, I will introduce these friends to all the donors and so many others who pray and work to send missionaries to faraway places. Seeing people being baptized is without a doubt the greatest party that a missionary can participate in. It was exciting to surrender the lives of young people to Christ through baptism," said Elizabete in celebration.

It is important to note that there are around 7,000 people groups that are spread across this world and have not yet heard the gospel, which represents more than 3 billion people. Of every 1,000 missionaries serving overseas, only 14 are working with people not reached by the gospel. These data make the number of baptisms in Bissau relevant for the gospel of the kingdom to be preached to all nations.

This article was originally published on the South American Division’s news site