The Church of the Nazarene in Guinea-Bissau is bringing light to a local village, in more ways than one. 

In May, the church’s Project of Light brought solar panels, electricity, and light to the Indena Grande village, located on the island of Canhabaque in Guinea-Bissau.

Of the 19 villages on the island, none had electricity. Ezequiel Ramirez, a Nazarene missionary to Guinea-Bissau, said that the dangers of snake bites and other potential accidents were a problem.

The Church of the Nazarene has been present on the island and in the village of Indena Grande since 2019. The leaders of the village asked the church leaders for help, so the local church, the national church leadership, and the community came together to address the problem.

“The church is called to preach a comprehensive gospel, just as Jesus taught us,” Ramirez said. “These communities seem to be forgotten even by their rulers. The gospel transcends wonderfully in these villages, as they meet a God who is attentive to their needs.”

The first night that the roads of the village were lit, Ramirez and others in the village were thrilled to watch more than 100 children playing and jumping for joy under the lamps.

“It was the first time they were discovering that they could play at night without fear of a snakebite or other dangers that have cost the lives of many in the past,” Ramirez said.

The Island of Canhabaque is roughly 100 kilometers away from the capital of Guinea Bissau. The Church of the Nazarene has expanded to two more villages on the island, Anghaura, and Inorei. 

News of the light in Indena spread quickly to all the villages on the island. The community leaders thanked the church for the work done and are optimistic about the future of the village. 

Ramirez thanked the region’s Nazarene Compassionate Ministries for its support in the implementation of the project, saying 400 people have benefited from what they accomplished.

“There is still much to be done,” Ramirez said. “But we celebrate and thank God that as a church, we can preach a gospel that impacts the community holistically.”

--Church of the Nazarene Africa Region