Pray for Senegal

Known as the “Land of Teranga” — a Wolof word for deep hospitality — Senegal welcomes people like family, even offering total strangers a bed in their homes. With at least 12 ethnic groups, Senegal defies expectations as one of Africa’s most secure democracies, standing out among West African neighbors that continue to face instability. At Africa’s westernmost point sits Senegal’s capital, Dakar, a hub for the country’s fishing and tourism industries. Dakar is also a major center for art, drawing visitors from around the world to its renowned museums.

Long dependent on agriculture, Senegal has been devastated by droughts, which have pushed citizens from rural to urban settings. This rapid urbanization has forced many to live in informal homes made of scrap metal and wood. Although the practice was banned in 1999, genital mutilation continues in certain areas, and nearly a quarter of Senegalese women suffer from its effects. Thousands of children also suffer when poor families send them to religious schools that promise food and shelter. In these schools, teachers  treat students harshly, forcing them into city streets every day to beg for food and money. Moreover, poor sanitation, few medical personnel, and inadequate medicine mean high numbers of people die from curable diseases.

Religious freedom is a source of pride for the Senegalese people. Christians are able to worship freely and evangelize, but 90 percent of the population claims the Islamic faith. The blending of mystic beliefs with Islam has made selfless service the center of their peaceful society. Though the Church is free from persecution, breakthroughs are hard to find for those reaching out to Muslims, as social pressures discourage seekers from turning to Jesus. However, opportunities are growing as a full translation of the Bible in Wolof has made the Word accessible to a majority of the population. Christian workers have also made great progress translating the New Testament into more than 20 other Senegalese languages. With God’s help, the local believers are reaching to those open to the Gospel.