“But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.” I Cor. 1:27 NIV
God used a goat to save Musah. It may sound foolish, but it’s true!
Musah’s poor father died when he was young, putting he and his mother deeper into poverty. They live in northern Ghana, where many families survive through subsistence farming that leaves little for extras, like schooling. And if the family happens to be Christian, in this Muslim majority area, they face prejudice and oppression as well. Children who long to go to school, instead often must head into the fields or become water carriers to help the family survive. Life has been like this for generations, with no way to break the cycle of poverty. Until now!
Call of Hope’s Goat Project is changing that! By gifting female goats to village children, COH makes it possible for them to raise funds by selling that goat’s offspring – year after year. The proceeds pay school fees, buy uniforms, books and school supplies, so children can attend school. The result is life changing in more ways than one!
The Goat Project was started to help children of Christian families who were suffering because of their faith. But those same Christian families wanted to show God’s love to their Muslim neighbors despite the persecution. They asked COH to distribute goats to Muslim families as well, even though it may delay their children receiving goats. This display of love shocked their neighbors and opened the door for them to share about Jesus! Not only has persecution diminished, but many goat recipients actively seek to know more about the Gospel and are coming to faith in Christ!
That is what happened with Musah. Musah’s mother, a devote Muslim, struggled to send him to school. She borrowed money from everyone so he could attend classes. But they were barely surviving.
One Saturday Musah was visiting a classmate, Daledem, in another village when Call of Hope arrived to distribute goats. Upon receiving his goat, Daledem begged the distribution team to give one to Musah too, even though he did not live in their village. Glory to God, there was an extra goat available and Musah received one too!
Astonished Musah asked why his friend helped him in such a remarkable way! Daledem replied, “God said in the Bible we should love our neighbors as we love ourselves.” Struck by this simple but powerful answer Musah said that he wanted to know this God. The next day, Daledem took him to the village Pastor, one of Call of Hope’s frontline workers. Musah asked the pastor a lot of questions, and finally gave his life to Jesus!
With profound joy in his heart and his new goat tailing behind, Musah returned home. Every Sunday after, he made the long walk to church in Daledem’s village. But being the only Christian in his village, Musah’s new faith was not received well. Twice Musah’s family threatened to cut him off from the family because of his faith in Jesus. But even as a child, he stood firm saying, “I have seen the light is so bright, I have gone too far to return to Islam!”
God has faithfully protected and prospered Musah! Proceeds from his goat’s offspring has allowed him to complete junior high school and begin high school. All his school fees, school uniforms, books and supplies had been covered. In fact, sales from Musah’s goats have brought financial stability, hope and joy to his mother too. His mother testified that since they’ve had the goats they have not borrowed from their neighbors for anything; stating they now live dignified lives.
God used Musahs’ goat to save him from poverty, but even more importantly, to save his soul!
Thank you for supporting the Goat Project and saving the lives of vulnerable children in Ghana, Nigeria and Kenya. God has used your gifts to touch, transform and bring hope to individuals, families and whole communities through goats!
