Bambara speakers are mostly from Mali, and few Canadians have a Malian background. Being small in number, Bambara speakers must mix in with other West African people when they wish to celebrate their own culture.

In deciding which immigrants to admit from developing countries, Canada has favored those with a good education and professional skills. Even then, there are language barriers, since Bambara speakers have French only as trade language. Bambara speakers who arrive in Canada often are often under-employed.

Though they usually live a more prosperous life than they did in Mali, Bambara speakers must adjust to many changes in Canada. Not only the language, but the climate and personal relationships are far different. Many of them must adjust to having a spouse in a different continent, and living with a different set of expectations. Africans assume that the group rises or falls together, but in the West they must adjust to acting as individuals.

Bambara speakers are folk Muslims, meaning that they are Muslims with a strong bent towards pre-Islamic tribal religion. The well-educated among them are more secular than those who live in rural Africa. To any Muslim, Jesus is only a prophet, not the savior.

Believers in Canada's business communities can hire Bambara speakers, and have regular contact with them in the workplace. Bambara identity is in jeopardy in a land where they are a small minority. Believers can help them find a new identity in Christ through discipleship.

There are some Bambara speakers who follow Christ in Canada. Pray that they will shine His light in such a way that other West Africans will be attracted to Him. Pray for a discipleship making movement among West Africans to form in Canada.

* Pray for the Bambara people to look to Jesus Christ for their needs.
* Pray for them to accept His ways.