He told them, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Luke 10:2
The kids and I (Grace) memorized this scripture this past year. This isn’t really a verse that grabbed me until I was on the most recent trip to Guinea Bissau. This verse came alive to me while there. The workers truly are few, but they serve with a joy and steadfast love and perseverance that takes my breath away.
Less than 2% of the population would identify as being an evangelical Christian in Guinea Bissau so finding indegenous missionaries is such an encouragement.
Our hearts desire at Hope Remembered is to partner with and support local people on the ground in Guinea Bissau. People who know the language, culture, customs, and heart of Guinea Bissau. How much more effectively can they serve and spread the Gospel amongst their own people groups!
Hope Remembered has partnered with Jeremiah and Dominga in the past to help them survey a piece of property where they hope to build a foster home. We were really looking forward to hearing their vision, walking through their journey and hearts desires, meeting the people they long to serve, and praying if this could be a long term partnership.
I am still so overwhelmed that the Lord placed this beautiful couple in our lives! We spent an entire day with them. They went with us to help in the Prabis school and then we traveled to the village where they hope to move. They were both born and raised in Guinea Bissau. They come from very humble backgrounds. Jeremiah was raised by a foster dad of sorts so his heart is to serve vulnerable children. He is currently in medical school and is a pastor. They plan to leave Bissau, the capital, and head to the village as soon as his schooling is complete.
They are currently living in Bissau and travel to the outlying Papel village often. They walk and ride a tuk tuk the long journey to the village. When we arrived the people were overjoyed when they saw Jeremiah. Don’t forget that he is a local. He has no funds. Nothing tangible to offer the villagers. No suckers, clothing, clean water, medical care, food. His heart is for the Lord which has given him a heart for the people.
He comes to preach the Gospel. To bring hope to a needy and hurting people. To comfort those who mourn. To encourage the seekers. To pray for the lost. To love the unlovable. To be the hands and feet of Christ to a village that is deep in witchcraft. To come bearing witness to the One who holds power over all, even their strong evil spirits and powers. To lay down his life for the least of these. And he does it full of joy.
The journey is hard. The work is overwhelming. The task impossible. But the Lord in his goodness has called Jeremiah and Dominga to such a time as this.
We are currently working with them to raise the funds needed for transportation (motorcycle or car) and a foster home in the village. Their desire is to build two wells (one for the village and one for the foster home), a school, a medical clinic, and a foster home large enough to house six children.
The land was donated by the village elders and the site has been surveyed. It is a beautiful site. In the jungle with large trees and shade. It sits just to the left of the main entrance into the village. We hope to start with the two wells and the home. Once those projects are completed we will move on to the school and then medical clinic.
The villagers will play a vital role in the building process. There are many skilled laborers in the area. I asked Jeremiah what his plans were for safety, i.e. a wall around the complex.
His response cut deep. We will live as a part of this village. They will be our people and we will be theirs. We won’t have walls to keep anyone out. We do not have to live in fear of sorcerers and their evil. We serve a God far greater. He has led us to this place and He will provide.
At Hope Remembered we feel confident that the Lord is leading us to partner with them in ministry full time.
Pray that the Lord would move to provide the funds needed for the two wells, transportation, and the home. We are confident that He who began a good work will complete it.
Pray that Jeremiah’s medical school will reopen so he can finish the last portion of his education.
Pray for the people of the Papel village. That hearts would soften to the Gospel and that the Lord would miraculously heal those with no hope of medical care. Mothers lined up to bring their children to us desperate for help. Heart defects, bone deformities, mental limitations, medical issues due to lack of nutrition and clean water. These children are considered cursed in Guinea Bissau due to their limitations, but a mother’s heart loves her child. I look to the Healer, Comforter, Redeemer for this village.
If you want more information on the work in Guinea Bissau through Jeremiah and Dominga please contact me at grace@hoperemembered.org.
You can make a tax deductible donation directly to their ministry by clicking on the donate tab. Select the general fund and put “jeremiah” in the notes section. 100% of the funds will go directly to their ministry.
Believing in beauty from ashes…..