North Africa

St Nic's supports a couple who have a long-term commitment to work among Muslim people who have never had the opportunity to hear the story of Jesus. Previously they were involved in translation, producing the New Testament in two dialects of Burkina Faso, as well as publishing through an academic route a grammar and dictionary of the language. They were also involved in micro-development and social projects, in partnership with local community organisations. In all these things the aim was to tell the story of Jesus in the most adapted and appropriate manner across considerable cultural differences. They worked very closely with the national church, especially Pastor Adama who is now a St Nic’s mission partner.

In 2008,the family moved to North Africa to a situation with important parallels and significant differences to their previous location. They continue to engage in a strongly Muslim context but now with significant restrictions on their activities and relating to a persecuted church. They have embarked upon a new season of language study, one that is related to the language they had learnt in Burkina Faso but still needs learning! They have been able to bring his linguistic expertise immediately to effect and is collaborating on several projects, developing both scripture resources and tools for language learners. Living their faith openly, they aim to share the story of Jesus through friendship and on-going community involvement. They meet regularly with several local Christians for prayer and Bible study but this must stay very discrete. As their language abilities develop, they are hoping for other contexts for teaching and encouraging believers as well as contexts for sharing their faith with those who have never had the opportunity to hear.

Funding and future

As recent events have underlined, life in North Africa is far from stable. The political climate may abruptly change; the government may take an even harsher stance against Christians; it may give them slightly more freedom. They are committed to staying in the country as long as it is possible to do so, and particularly to continue to serve the emerging church. It is hard to say at this stage what that will mean. Alongside the more expected (like teaching and praying with people), there is a need for income generation initiatives for those who lose their jobs because of their faith. Nikki continues to be interested in community development, should the opportunity arise, and Dave has a wide range of potential language projects, for discipleship and to help others in language learning. The overarching aim in all this is to make Him known and to see His church grow in every way.

St Nic’s is their main financial partner; there are other smaller churches who are also committed to them as well as a faithful group of individuals. They also run a commercial translation business as the basis of their residency; this covers its own costs and generates some revenue, enough to pay the boys’ school fees for example.