“Are you going to tell us the story of the Savior next?” an older Muslim man asked IMB missionary Jackie Lewis during a language preservation project in Uganda. Lewis was stunned—the man had previously been hostile to Christians.
Known affectionately as “the Poppas,” this group of Muslim elders comes from war-torn, secluded mountainous regions where folk Islam and forgotten tribal languages dominate. The project preserves their languages while introducing Bible stories, recording them for distribution via SD cards.
Despite bombings, water disruptions, and tragic loss—including one of the Poppas—Lewis and her team remain committed. Some participants now recognize the connections between the Old Testament and the promised Savior.
Through the Cooperative Program, Southern Baptists help bring God’s Word to forgotten peoples in their heart language.
Pray for continued openness among the Poppas and for protection and perseverance for Jackie and her team.