Once closed to the Gospel, the Kamara people now have a thriving congregation.
Northern Ghana is known for its wildlife—elephants, buffalo, and leopards roam the Savannah region—but also boasts a mosque that dates back to the 1400s. This ancient building made of mud and reeds stands is a source of pride for local Muslims, including the Kamara people. They saw Christians as unwanted foreigners, that is, until a church came bearing Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts.
Pastors in surrounding areas had long tried to visit this area with the Gospel message, but their only welcome was hostility.
In the spirit of Jesus’ encouragement his followers, “that they ought always to pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1, ESV), Operation Christmas Child team members in Ghana reached out to the area again two years ago.
“Who are you?” asked a Kamara leader.
“We are Christians who are here to share shoeboxes and give them to your children.”
“What kind of boxes do you have?”
The Operation Christmas Child team let the Kamara representatives see some of the shoebox gifts, and they were impressed with the brand-new items inside.
“How much should we pay?” the Kamara leader asked.
“It’s free for the community children,” said our team.
This softened the heart of the Kamara leader.
“Come and do your business,” he said.
Kamara children proudly place their shoebox gifts on top of their heads after being surprised by the treasures each one held. (Field photo)
Grateful for this open door, Operation Christmas Child hosted outreach events for the children in two towns, sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. Each shoebox gift given to a boy or girl provided them a glimpse of God’s love, which also was a witness to their families and communities as a whole.
This impressed one of the town chiefs. “Do you have any other opportunity to come back? You came to small group of children, but there are many more.”
“Yes, probably,” said the ministry partner, “if God gives us favor.”
Hundreds Follow Christ
More recently, another church partner also gained a vision for this hard-to-reach area.
“God, we are here and want to go to the Kamara people,” they prayed.
The Lord answered when Samaritan’s Purse provided additional Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts for them to bring to the two towns, including the one where the chief asked for more gifts for more children.
“God, we are here and want to go to the Kamara people.”
The new church partner again shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a child-friendly way and delivered gift-filled shoeboxes to children who had missed the events the previous year.
This time, by God’s grace, a church started in one of the towns! We praise God that a total of 500 children and 70 adults accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.
Our church partner offered classes of The Greatest Journey follow-up discipleship program for the shoebox recipients during which they learned how to grow in Christ and share Him with others. These budding evangelists eagerly told their friends and family what they were learning, which caused the church to continue to grow.
Community members also heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ at the Operation Christmas Child outreach events. (Field photo)
Please pray for the new Kamara believers as they now face persecution from their countrymen for their belief in Jesus Christ. Ask God to strengthen their faith and for the message of the Gospel to continue to spread throughout the Savannah region.
