I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Galatians 2:20

The man was blunt and cruel. “I haven’t seen you around all this while … Anyway, you are the lost one!” With that, he turned and walked away.

When the noble doctor interpreted this to me from Hausa, I was shocked. How could anybody be so insensitive and offensive? Sadly, he was expressing the general feeling of the entire family. I know how that feels, for I can relate to it. Such comments sting and wound badly.

But Jesus be praised! He has won the victory in which we walk. My daughter once said: “When the wise speaks derogatively, it is heard from the mouth of the fool.”

The honorable doctor is a fine and intelligent man. Integrity, faithfulness, commitment, hard work, and discipline define his life in Christ. He is an excellent surgeon and internationally trained. Right from college, various opportunities have opened to him to move into high paying practices, but he has turned them down for the sake of his people in rural Niger. He serves in a Missions Hospital with no salary. Rather, he must raise his own support. And you know how difficult that is in our part of the world. Yet, despite all the hurts and pain and lack in their lives, his family has remained faithful in the field.    

What makes it worse is that all his nine siblings are high achievers in many disciplines – an Economist, a successful Attorney, two graduate teachers (Primary & High school), a Doctor in Nursing and Hospital Administrator, a world-class Professor of Neurosurgery, a Gynecologist with a successful practice, and an accomplished Pharmacist and Professor. So, who cares for an internationally trained Surgeon, who “throws away” every opportunity to make wealth for the sake of the health needs of his people? Just imagine an instance of joyfully returning home to inform the parents of his acceptance into a Mission organization, only to be shot down with these words: “Your brothers are better than you.” Money commands respect, doesn’t it?

Yet the fine doctor and his family stand tall in the missionary field. Not only has he become a trainer of surgeons – Assistant Professor and Director of Pan African Academy of Christian Surgeons (PAACS), Galmi Residency in rural Niger – Dr. Sanoussi has become a living example of unselfish devotion to God. He is an encouragement to the young Fellows in the program with immense community influence. This five-year program brings young Christian doctors from all over African to be trained in surgery for rural and deprived communities in their home countries. The work is strenuous and challenging. Unfortunately, the remuneration is woefully inadequate. His wife is an accomplished nurse midwife too. But who respects their sacrifices? Who cares for you if they can’t get money from you?

That’s the Yakoubou Sanoussi family testimony – a sacrificed life for the display of God’s love and heart for the poor and deprived.

Paul had it right that his life was dissolved in the death and resurrection of Christ (Galatians 2:20). Likewise, he implores every believer to offer their bodies as living sacrifices to God (Rm. 12:1).

The testimony of every missionary is the same – a sacrificed life in Christ Jesus. By their sacrifices, the Gospel is translated, preached, and taught in the remotest parts of the world, and the Kingdom of God is expanding. Sadly, many have returned to their home countries after the prime of their lives with nothing to live on.

Such people deserve our support and encouragement. So, honor them, please, and say a prayer for any Missionary you may know.