To the Ends of the Earth

IMB missionary Rachel Weigand pounds grain with Hausa women in Niger. Women work together to pound in synchonized rhythm, creating a powder out of maize.

IMB missionary Rachel Weigand shares Bible stories as her teammate, Brittany Breedlove, sits close by. The women are serving 2-3 year terms in Niger through IMB’s ISC and Journeyman programs.

Many Hausa mothers put charms on their children to protect them against illness or evil spirits. “They go to the witchdoctor for everything … and do whatever the witchdoctor says,” explains missionary Laura Sharpe.

A Hausa woman reacts to a Bible story shared by Rachel Weigand, who plays stories on cassette and uses pictures to illustrate. “I find that the pictures help keep the ladies’ attention and that the Hausa on the cassettes is, of course, much better than mine!” Rachel says.

IMB missionaries Rachel Weigand (left) and Brittany Breedlove walk through a village in eastern Niger.

Many visitors to eastern Niger feel as if they have stepped back into biblical times. People reside in simple mud structures without electricity or plumbing, ride donkey carts down dirt paths, and cook over open fires.

IMB missionaries Brittany Breedlove (in doorway) and Rachel Weigand visit Hausa women in a village in eastern Niger. Those serving among the Hausa feel personal evangelism and personal relationships are the most effective way to lead people to Christ.

Inside a tiny, mud-walled home, IMB missionaries Rachel Weigand (left) and Brittany Breedlove visit with two Hausa women in eastern Niger.

“Women have no relationship with God here,” says IMB missionary Laura Sharpe. “They don’t go to the mosque, ever. I’ve never seen a woman pray here … except old women because they’re close to dying.”

IMB church planter Greg Sharpe says Hausa men are expected to be the guardians of Islam. “The societal pressure to stay Muslim — the pressure from dad and the family and the village — can be pretty intense sometimes,” he explains.

IMB missionaries Brittany Breedlove (left) and Rachel Weigand use a device called a Proclaimer to share audio recordings of Bible stories in the Hausa language.

Married as young as 12 or 13 to men they don’t know, most Hausa women don’t have any concept of love. It’s difficult for them to comprehend that Christ loves them so much He died for them.

Laura Sharpe and her children, Maggie, 19 months, and Noah, almost 4, travel by cow cart to a village in eastern Niger. They visit the village regularly to share stories from God’s Word.

“God’s not part of their life at all,” Laura says of the Hausa women in her area. She tells simple, building-block stories to help them understand God and His work throughout history, leading to His plan for salvation through Christ.

In Niger and many other parts of Africa, straw is woven into mats used for seating as well as coverings for walls and ceilings.

IMB missionary Greg Sharpe prepares to pray for an elderly woman in a village he visits regularly with his family. “The people have been very receptive,” he says, “… which is neat because the Hausa, especially in this region, have a history of being very cold to the Gospel.”

“The [Hausa] men think they have a relationship with God.” says IMB church planter Greg Sharpe. “They know Islam is something they’re supposed to do and be, but they don’t have any real concept of why they’re doing what they’re doing.”

Laura Sharpe and her children prepare to leave a village where they frequently share Bible stories. Noah, almost 4, speaks Hausa well and shares Jesus with his friends, while Maggie, 19 months, enjoys passing out water and food to the women who visit her home.

Greg Sharpe shares a Hausa Bible with Hamadu, a terminally ill Christian. A volunteer team gave Hamadu glasses, allowing him to read Scripture in his own language for the first time.