From one indigenous world to another

Jan, who ministers with her husband to native Americans, wished to make a connection with a native African woman. She did this by sending her sunflower turquoise ring with me to give away. At the regional pastors conference I developed a friendship with Laina, a pastor’s wife in the country of Namibia. Let me tell you a little of Laina’s story, for she was the one to whom I gave this beautiful ring.

Laina met the Lord as a young woman, after having lived for herself for several years. Invited to a conference in Zimbabwe, she was attracted to the believers there who lived out their faith in the business world. She promised the Lord that if she could find such a church in her home country of Namibia she would serve Him. Shortly after this, Laina was invited to attend services at a church-plant begun by missionaries Gabriel and Gloria Francis from Nigeria. Laina became their first convert and the first person to be baptized in the Foursquare Church of Namibia. Later she married Festus, who in time became pastor of the church.