Jola-Felupe in Guinea-Bissau

Funerals are of great importance to the Jola-Felupe. They believe that the deceased will join their ancestors. It is very important to perform the correct funeral rites so that the soul will enter the presence of the creator, Ata Amit, and the ancestors. They believe in living a moral life, because if you live a bad life, your soul will become an exiled spirit that roams with no resting place. There is some Islamic influence among the Jola, but on a practical level, they are mostly animistic. They use charms and sacred objects to communicate with the spirit world, in hopes that the spirits will protect their families, villages, and crops. They also believe these spirits will protect them from converting to Islam or Christianity.

Ministry Obstacles
Fear of the spirit world and a suspicion that putting faith in Christ will alienate them from their communities are two major obstacles.

Scripture Focus
"As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God."  Psalm 42:1

Scripture Prayer
Pray for this kind of longing for the Lord among today’s people group!

Prayer Focus
Pray that fear of the spirits will change to faith in Christ when the Jola-Felupe hear of the finished work of our Lord. Pray that the Lord will raise up many African believers to share the exciting news that Jesus Christ offers them abundant life for the present and eternal life without fear of becoming a wandering spirit. Pray for efforts to disciple the Jola-Felupe in a way that discipleship becomes a way of life for them. Pray for Jola communities to be transformed by the holiness of Christ in such a powerful way that it will amaze non-believers.

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