After only a few days in Ouaga the North Park Sem team and I headed up north to Djibo, where our ministry with the Fulani is mainly held. It is about 120 miles north of Ouaga and took us by bus about 5 1/2 hours. None of the roads here are in that great of shape so we could not go very fast on the way up. It was hot up there with temps around 110 F. These people to not live with electricity, running water, or most other things people in the States take for granted. I found my time up there to be both exciting and difficult as I got a chance to live with the Fulani and see what their culture is really like. I know it will take several more visits to get a bigger fuller picture of what the Fulani life is like, but from what I saw it was simple. The father and sons work the fields because it is almost harvest time, and the mother cooks, cleans, and looks after the kids. They are up at the crack of dawn, usually by 5:15 or so and in bed around 9 or 10 at night. I have much work to do in order to be able to communicate with them and in order to see where God exists in their culture. The Fulani take leasure time in the afternoon, but don't play many games. According to a man who was up who is working on a Fulani tranlsation of the Bible, he said there in no real Fulani word for fun. Kids have fun, but that should tell you something. I look forward to my language education and the ability to go back to Djibo to communicate more and learn from them.
1 comment:
You are off and running! Post more of your pix, Ben. It was fantastic being with you last week. Hard to believe our trip is already over and yours is just beginning. I'll be following your progess in language, culture, and theological learning.
Post a Comment