Ministry
Work amongst the Fulani in Gorom-Gorom
I have been working among the Fulani since 1992, when I moved to Gorom-Gorom, in the province of Oudalan, in the north of Burkina Faso. My goal has been to see the grace of God transforming Fulani lives and families by introducing people to the story of Christ, by responding appropriately to the physical need there, and by helping those who choose to follow Christ to find their way forward as part of his family.
There has been a small Mossi church in Gorom-Gorom for some years now, and I
have always sought to work with the local pastors, but in Oudalan generally,
there are few Christians. The local people - the Fulani, Tamacheq, and Songhai
- are Muslims. It is the poorest, least developed area of Burkina, on the edge
of the desert, a region that suffers regular droughts, with low literacy, and
low life expectancy. There is huge need.
I have sought to take a culturally sensitive approach - not imposing outside
patterns of lifestyle or worship, but trying to help the Fulani discover Christ
from within their own culture. I have lived in their housing, dressed like
them, learned their language, eaten their food, and tried to understand their
concerns. They have helped me with my cows, and I have sought to help them find
God's grace and help in their daily lives. While sat on mats under the
acacias, we have discussed God, money, sex, divorce, cows - all the important
things.
They believe in God of course. And they know there is a day of judgement, and
that we need forgiveness and salvation. They also know of Jesus from the Quran.
They know he was a great prophet, the Messiah, born of the virgin Mary. They
know he did miracles, ascended into heaven and that he will return again at the
end of the world. So they like to hear about him. They call me "moodibbo Isa,"
- the Jesus preacher. I have talked in homes, and preached in the market. On
occasion I have been invited into mosques to discuss together with people, and
share about Christ. Sometimes we have to agree to disagree, but they have
always been hospitable and respectful.
I have also sought to take a holistic approach - not just preaching while
ignoring the physical need, but trying to respond as Christ did to the whole
person - physical, emotional, social, spiritual. Working together with locals,
we have helped out with emergency food in times of famine, supported orphans
through school, prayed for the sick, and helped any number of individuals and
families in times of personal need. It is never enough, and it is one of the
most heartbreaking aspects of life, that the need never seems to get any less.
We need aid and development. We also need changes to structural injustices that
keep the poor enslaved. But I remain convinced that the best hope for the
Fulani is the gospel of Christ. It not only brings a restoration of
relationship with God, but also freedom from self-destructive ways of thinking
and acting. One development worker - an atheist - frustrated at the end of his
two year contract, said to me: "our work in development will not be successful,
until you missionaries have more impact."
A few individuals and families have decided that they like the way of Jesus,
and have chosen to follow him. It has not been easy for them. Their families
often do not understand, and in consequence, those who choose to follow Christ
are often sidelined from their community. They are often the only believer in
their village.
In a region hit by poverty and drought, they have lost the
traditional networks of support that they depended upon. Because of such
pressures, many have chosen to return to Islam.
But there is a small group of
people who have persevered through the struggles, and are continuing to follow
Christ. Working together with local Mossi pastors, I have sought to encourage
and teach these believers, and to help them discover what it means to be truly
Christian, without abandoning their Fulani identity and heritage. Some have
been baptised. They sometimes meet with the Mossi Christians, in spite of the
cultural and linguistic challenges. But they also are developing their own
Fulani expression of church and worship.
In January 2003, when I moved on from
Gorom, there was a small group of about a dozen local believers seeking to
follow Christ in their own journey of faith together.
Shortly before I left Gorom, I was joined by a new co-worker, Steve Davies
(left), and
in 2003, we moved 200km west to Djibo to link in with some missionaries from
SIM.
From there Steve and I moved out to start a new experimental project 100km away in Boukouma.
Please pray for them. For the latest news on the work in Gorom-Gorom, click here .