Part 2 of 2: Through a Samaritan’s Purse initiative, the Zande people of northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo are embracing the love of God in Jesus Christ.

It was through the agriculture and livelihoods aspect of our project that God began to open the heart of a 34-year-old farmer named Noah.

Before learning about Jesus, Noah made regular offerings to the local idol, hoping his devotion would prevent crop failure or encourage further success. Regular trips to a local shaman were made if someone was ill.

Like many families in Dungu, Noah’s traditional religion pushed him and his family deeper into hardship, anger, and strife. Much of his meager income from farming went towards religious rituals.

The idea of trusting a loving God was foreign to him.

Then Noah got involved in our agricultural trainings and watched his crop yields increase and his family’s health improve.

He also learned about our local radio broadcasts. He listened to multiple programmes per week that addressed topics such as water and food treatment, latrine and personal hygiene, and COVID-19 prevention. He also heard our evangelists and field coordinators discuss Biblical topics including how to start a relationship with Jesus Christ and how to follow Him as a disciple.

It was during one of these radio programmes that Noah received Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour.

Lives Transformed By the Gospel

We thank God for Noah, just one life changed among many, as we help meet the immediate physical needs of a community while also sharing the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Health, hygiene, and agriculture classes are among the courses taught through the Zande Inititative.

“I was able to understand the immense love of God towards me and my family,” Noah said, describing his newfound faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as opposed to his former reliance on animism, superstition, and idol worship.

After becoming a Christian, Noah started attending discipleship classes offered through the Zande Initiative that introduced him to sound, Biblical doctrine and connected him with a local church.

Today, Noah says he is learning how to read Scripture for himself and he and his wife take time together at the end of each day to pray. While life in Dungu remains difficult, Noah trusts God with his future.

“God is the source of my deliverance. I have entrusted to Him all my family,” he said. “No matter what tests come our way.”

The Zande Initiative has recently concluded but local community members—empowered and equipped by six years of discipling from Samaritan’s Purse—have formed an association to keep the work moving forward. In addition, the project has become a springboard as we expand and extend our ministry and evangelism efforts throughout Dungu and in other parts of the country. We give thanks as God continues to work through a number of Samaritan’s Purse ongoing projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

We pray that the project will continue to strengthen the region and future generations as it continues through its people.