Here are some testimonies from HandsOn missionaries who are spending the semester serving in Africa. For prayer requests and more HandsOn stories, click here.

Brad G. and Jeremy D., Senegal

Fish, eels and octopus come writhing onto land in the hands of fishermen and HandsOn missionaries Brad G. and Jeremy D.

On the beaches of the Atlantic Ocean, the two young missionaries have become fishers of men as they daily help fishermen in Senegal drag in their wooden canoes.

"It makes for long days, but it's all for the Gospel," said Brad. "A lot of it is modeling what it means to be a believer."

The two have endured the boiling heat, the stench of trash in the ocean and the pain of living amid poverty to come share the light of Christ.

"Just the fact of knowing the Creator of the universe is using me for this–-to be a light in the darkness--I get blessed by being used," said Jeremy as he repaired a casting net.

The two spend afternoons witnessing in friends’ houses.

"We were able to read part of the Sermon on the Mount to him [Brad’s friend] and a friend, discuss it--to the best of our Wolof ability--and pray over them. It was awesome just to know that God would use Jeremy and me to do that," Brad said.

Jessica N., Niger

"When I read the job description to come to Ayorou, Niger, it sounded so rugged and hard-core that I was certain I could not do the job. I did not apply for this position, but God has a sense of humor, and so now I am living in (and loving!) the small bush village.

"We are learning a very difficult language called Tamashek, and I spend most of the day greeting people along the road and spending time with them in their homes. My Tamashek name is Layla, and it seems that I can’t walk 30 feet without someone in town calling it out.

"I’ve taken a liking to the people of Ayorou, and miraculously, they to me--mostly, I think, because I am willing to make myself a fool for Christ, using my seriously broken Tamashek to show them that I care about them as a people. They laugh in wonder as they point to a body part and ask me what it is in Tamashek and I respond to them in their own language!

"Just as God promised Abraham in Genesis 13:17 that the land he walked upon would be his, I am walking through these streets. Sometimes while carrying a bucket of water on my head, sometimes holding the hands of two or seven children, and most of the time simply praying that the veil would fall from their eyes and that they would love and embrace the Savior, Jesus Christ."

"Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved." – Romans 10:1

Barrett B. and Scott H., Guinea

Hanging out on campus took on a whole new meaning for these two HandsOn missionaries. Scott and Barrett teach English to university students in Guinea. Their faith has caught the attention of several students …

Barrett shares:
"God's purpose and desire in this world is to make known His glory to every tribe and tongue and nation. To be praised all across this world for His glory and grace in Jesus.

"It's pure joy to have the opportunity to be a part of a HandsOn team that joins this work, part of His plan, as we begin Gospel-living and Gospel-telling here in West Africa ...

"As of right now, there is only a small handful of believers living and laboring among these four million in effort to spread the good news of Jesus for the glory of God. We gladly join their side.

"Our team's specific platform in this area is to teach English at the government-sponsored university ... The students are eager to learn English and about life in America and, thus, are eager to befriend us. On campus, you can sense the students' hunger for truth …

"There is absolutely no lack of opportunity here … What lacks are more planters willing to give themselves to the labor (even if for just four small months) and to share in the joy of being a part of God's harvest among these people."

Scott shares:
"Deep in the hearts of those Christ has called is a sense that everyone should know of His glory. To this end we labor here in Guinea. Our task is one of ordinary frontage, but behind the curtain of the mundane is a drama of spectacular and majestic movements by a Holy God.

"Each new African sunrise brings new opportunities to share of His great love here ... Daily we meet with students and locals to discuss the grander things of life. Often we find ourselves in wonder of how close we really are to the very heart of God, as if speaking a new language was another invitation to drink more deeply of His grace.

"I believe we are a part of something special here. Not unlike finding an oasis of laughter and love in a desert of darkness is our life here.

"I will forego the stories of near-death goat attacks and narrowly escaped bike wrecks for the picture of dusty roads that remind us of fleeting life and the chance to live life to the fullest."

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HandsOn Africa is a project of the International Mission Board, Southern Baptist Convention.