post, where he oversees the country’s largest network of churches, Kapou has seen how social ills can be combated with God’s truth—and he believes future blessing starts with claiming God’s promises in the present.
“We can see the hopelessness,” he says, “but God is our hope, and a nation that puts its hope in God will be blessed.” When Hoskins and Kapou discovered they shared a similar vision for the CAR, they united their efforts in local church
communities. Together, the two friends have been raising up youth leaders who model biblical lifestyles for others to follow. Kapou and Hoskins soon discovered many others who had caught this vision, as well. Take a young man named Ernest, for example. When OneHope team leaders hired a translator to help them learn the local dialect, they hired a translator locally known as “Pastor Ernest.” When they asked the young man how he had acquired his title, Ernest took a deep breath and shared his story. He had grown up in the streets of Bangui without an education, struggling to find food every day. He converted to Islam as a teenager to gain access to Muslim feeding programs, but he never understood the religion. One day, a stranger had pity on him and invited him to lunch. When the man uttered the name of Jesus when praying before their meal, Ernest unexpectedly burst into tears. “What’s happening to me? Why am I weeping?” he asked. The man replied, “Jesus is showing you how much He loves you.” In response, Ernest accepted Christ and became the man’s disciple. From that point forward, Ernest thrived in his new faith, yet he was frustrated by his inability to read Scripture. He prayed and asked God for help—and God answered His prayer. Ten years later, at age 26, Ernest is fluent in English, French and Sango. He has a family, works as a translator and runs a small network of house churches. When he looks at his past, Ernest realizes it was a single word that set his life on a new course that has led him here. “God has blessed me so much,” he says. “I owe everything to the Word of God.” Now, when Franklin looks down the streets of the Central African Republic, he doesn’t see the bullets lodged in building walls or the craters left from rebel bombings. He doesn’t think of the corruption that has shackled the nation for decades. Instead, he remembers Minister
Bokassa, Emmanuel, Pastor Ernest and many others who have endured lifelong hardship yet stand today rooted in the Word of God. Although placing a country’s future in the hands of children may seem risky, Franklin points to the Gospel—the story of one small Jewish child who grew up to forever change the world. In light of God’s Word, Franklin—and many Central African Republic youth with him— is beginning to see how the most powerful change starts with the smallest of seeds.
[ TAKE ACTION ]
GO DEEPER STAY UPDATED ON THE REGION THROUGH THE HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH FOCUS ON THE C.A.R. TO PRAY THROUGH CURRENT NEWS AND EVENTS. TEXT “TRUTH” TO 50555 TO GIVE $10 TO ONEHOPE. FUNDS WILL PROVIDE 30 CHILDREN WITH A PRESENTATION OF THE GOSPEL.
CURT DEVINE writes about faith and social justice to give a voice to the voiceless. He currently resides in Washington, D.C., where he is pursuing a master’s degree in international media. Find more of his stories at www.curtdevine.com.
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