Friday morning, June 4, I had the opportunity to meet someone who has a long-standing connection with LWML, Mr. Nicholas Salifu. Mr. Salifu is currently studying at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, and will graduate in December. He is from Ghana, and will return there to serve as a pastor. Mr. Salifu was at the airport when I arrived; Pastor Troxel was driving both of us to the Central Illinois District Convention.

We in the LWML first heard about Mr. Salifu in a video that was shown at the LWML convention in Fort Worth in 1987. The LWML had funded the production of a video that highlighted his life,  serving as an interpreter for LCMS missionaries where God’s Word was planted in His heart. The Lord found Salifu and he was converted, leaving the Muslim doctrine that his father had embraced. Salifu went back to his home village, led Bible studies and meetings in his home, sharing what he had learned about Jesus Christ. The result was documented in the video, Salifu’s Harvest, which showed large numbers of villagers being baptized, by the missionary, in the name of the Triune God.

Now I wasn’t at that convention; I was home with three young children. I did talk with Alberta Barnes who was president at that convention. She told me that everyone was so encouraged by the video; the lights went up and standing at the podium was a man who said, “I am Salifu!” She described it as an electrifying moment. Only a few people knew that he was going to be there, it was a top secret. I guess it was quite an experience for those who were there. I do know that there were quite a few of the women from the Central Illinois District who were at Fort Worth; they were eager to see Salifu again and hear his story.

What a delight it was to see his presentation and hear of how the Lord has used him to spread the gospel and to study further, culimnating in attending the seminary.So here we are some 23 years later, seeing the results of mite money that was given to support LCMS missionaries and projects in cooperation with LCMS World Mission. It doesn’t get much better than this! God allows us to get a glimpse into the work that He is doing through our gifts and prayers.

My weekly radio interview on KFUO this past Tuesday, June 8, was all about Salifu; often the programs are archived on KFUO and then also available on our LWML website, under the news section.

Thank you Lord, for faithful missionaries who share your Word; thank you for those who provide funding so missionaries can go where you are calling; thank you for letting us see You at work n our world. Thank you for the ministry of Nicholas Salifu; bless him in the final preparations for becoming a pastor in Your church.