This summer, after completing her first term in the Mediterranean, Esperanza returned to Columbus for a time of debrief. The Communication team sat down with her to catch up about her experiences over the last two years; the article below is pulled from that transcript.
When you think of missions, what comes to mind?
For me, it was always going somewhere far away and teaching the Bible in a new language to people who lived radically different lives than I did—or at least, that’s what I thought as a kid. After living in West Africa with my family for over three years, I realized that my mission is to do life wherever God puts me and to form relationships through the opportunities He makes available.
This is precisely how Devin, Rosedale International worker in Côte d’Ivoire, has lived since moving to the country in 2021. Devin works among the Dioula people, a West African ethnic group with a deeply-rooted Muslim faith. He spent the beginning of his term in a local Dioula village, whose men make their living by hand-weaving intricate cloth. Each day, Devin sat with them, learning their language and returning their hospitality by whittling parts to fix their wooden looms.
Fast forward four years, and you will find Devin hard at work on a local chicken farm. This farm employs twelve local people, six of whom are Muslim and six who believe in Jesus. Each morning, these workers—regardless of faith—meet to pray over the day’s activities and to ask that God’s name would be lifted up through their work. It has become a natural rhythm of farm life to pray for God’s blessing upon the flocks as a way to gain the attention of their Muslim neighbors.
Indeed, we find in the Bible that an abundance of flocks, herds, and crops are a clear indication of God’s favor. While the Western world might credit success solely to wise planning and hard work, the Ivoirian worldview remains closer to that of the ancient Hebrews; they interpret such blessings as God’s presence and approval.
Thus, the farm is a clear witness to God’s glory. With over 6,000 chickens—4,000 of which are layers—the farm provides eggs for neighboring villages and cities within a 50-kilometer radius. They butcher their own broilers to sell at key points in the holiday calendar. They have built a new chicken house, installed a solar power system that keeps the farm self-sufficient, and raised their own feed mill. In the future, they hope to also farm the corn and other grains needed to make their own chicken feed.
Last year, the farm grossed 100 million West African CFA francs—roughly $162,000 USD. After expenses, they netted 9 million CFA ($15,000 USD). They were able to gift 2 million CFA to the local church and give their employees a 10 percent raise.
Thus, the farm is a clear witness to God’s glory.
This farm is, by definition, a successful example of business-for-mission. What started in 2020 as a small project is now a growing farm that supports local families and the local church, pastors, and missionaries—all because some people who love Jesus saw chickens and eggs as a way into the homes of their Dioula cousins.
And their work is far from complete. The team’s goals for 2025 are focused on two new projects: starting a pig farm in a nearby animistic village and another chicken farm in the Muslim village where Devin first studied the Dioula language. These projects will open doors for the local church to minister to these populations, provide an avenue to plant churches, and support the local pastors.
So—what is missions? It is being used by God, wherever you are, with whatever you have, to take the gospel to your neighbor…perhaps even with chickens.
Please pray with Devin and his team for the success of their future projects—particularly the ability to open doors for the local church to become established in these villages.
Photo credit: Rosedale International
