Indiana—So often we read Matt. 24:14 and, though we believe it is truth, we often wonder how it can be fulfilled. There are approximately 6.7 billion people on the planet. Nearly half have yet to be reached with the good news of Jesus’ love for them.

I’m sure you feel the same way I do—you long for Jesus to come during your lifetime, in this generation. How are we to reach so many? How is The Great Commission to be fulfilled? The answer: One person at a time.

I have had the privilege to work for ten months among the Malinke, an unreached Muslim tribe in Mali, West Africa. I live in a mud hut as they do, eat the same foods, use the same water sources, and share their daily lives. They have become my friends, and I have been honored to have them call me their friend.

Rarely can one simply travel to a new country and start preaching the gospel immediately. There are language and cultural differences to consider. Ninety percent of the Malinke are Muslim, which presents my team members and me with unique challenges in reaching them with the Gospel. They believe in Jesus, but only as a good man and prophet. How are we to help them see Jesus as their Savior and Lord?

One of the best ways I have found past the cultural, language, and religious barriers is through medical outreach. This is not surprising, for we are told medical ministry is the right arm of the Body of Christ, the opening wedge into many people’s hearts and lives (Colporteur Ministry, 131). I have found this to be so very true.

I have worked in the market at our blood pressure clinic every Wednesday, taught a grandmother how to use hot and cold compresses to relieve muscle pain, sponged the body of a young friend with cool water to help fight his fever, treated nasty oil burns on the leg of a terrified young girl, and cared for a friend after an operation. In each situation, a bond formed that helped me get to know the families better. None have made decisions for Jesus yet, but I trust my efforts are not in vain. The seeds of friendship and truth that were planted will spring up and bring about a bountiful harvest.

Jesus told Paul that “I have much people in this city” (Acts 18:10); I pray the same is true of Kangaba, Mali, West Africa. Would you help my team members and me as we strive to introduce the Malinke to Jesus? We need your prayers, even more than we need your financial support. We need to know we do not labor alone. Will you come along beside us, to support us? Will you help us reach the unreached in this generation?

"And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come” (Matt. 24:14).

Jenniffer Blackburn is a registered nurse working with Adventist Frontier Missions. She was a former member of the Shelbyville Church in Indiana and a 2002 nursing graduate at Andrews University. Jenniffer recently shared her testimony at the Indiana Conference Women's Ministries Retreat where approximately $2,300 was raised to support her team's mission efforts in Mali. A portion of the funds raised were used to purchase blood pressure cuffs, glucometers and the accompanying supplies to take blood sugars, various bandages and topical medications, and to pay for a Mali woman's hernia operation. For further information, you may write Jenniffer at smile4jesus2day@gmail.com.