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November 22, 2005

Fulani baptisms

Kunjel and Mamadou have both been on the edge of church life for some years, watching, waiting, weighing. This month they decided together that the time had come to take the plunge (literally), making a public commitment to follow the Good Herder.

After the Fulani service on Sunday morning we all went down to the lake, read a bit of Matthew 28, sang 'Moyyere ngam yimbe fuu' (Grace has come to all people) and baptised Kunjel and Mamadou in the name of Alla Baabiiwo e Biddo e Ruuhu Ceniido.

Dikko Kunjel is a Fulani herder from Winde Jigaaje (literally 'desolate place of vultures'), a tiny settlement far to the north of Djibo.

Mamadou is the son of a marabout and he lives near Bagadoumba, a few miles north of Djibo. Mamadou is very gentle man - the only time I have ever heard him raise his voice was to scold an errant goat. He plies a quiet trade selling cigarettes and dates on the lonely desert road which runs past his hut.

After the baptisms the church sang more worship songs, and then ate together. Now and again, even in this difficult place, there are glimpses of heaven.

Posted by sahelsteve at November 22, 2005 09:12 PM