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Obed* wanted to go deeper in his Muslim faith. He is a Fulani, a nomadic people group who number 45 million in more than 20 countries across West and Central Africa. They are pastoralists; shepherds and cattle herders who care for their animals. In this people group, Christians account for much less than one per cent of the total population. Most Fulani are Muslim, who also follow some animistic practices. This includes Obed’s father, who also wanted his son to go deeper in his understanding of Islam.
Obed’s search took him all the way to a neighbouring country. He found a teacher there and spent six months with him, only to then find he had gone no deeper in his understanding. But God, the good shepherd, was just getting started.
Finding new life
Still in pursuit of deeper understanding, the Lord directed Obed to a chief in another village. After spending a week there, he was confronted with the question,
“Do you want to know Islam more, or are you looking for salvation? What are you looking for?”
The answer came somewhat naturally. “I am looking for salvation,” Obed replied. God was moving.
“If it’s salvation, you must believe in Jesus Christ.”
He accepted then and there.
After some time, Obed returned home. His father, still a Muslim, said somewhat prophetically that Obed’s life would change. It was the beginning of a new life.
Obed got married. The foundation of marriage was also different from what he was accustomed to in his culture. It didn’t depend on dowry but on love and was underpinned by prayer.
After they welcomed their first child, the Lord directed Obed to Bible school. He graduated three years later and started church services in his friend’s house. The services weren’t just about studying the word and praying; they were about presenting this new life holistically. He not only taught people how to read the Bible and pray, but how to take the sick to the hospital, how to practice good hygiene, how to save money, and much more. Just as a shepherd cares for all aspects of their sheep’s life, Obed was caring for the whole person.
A new community
Obed’s new life translated to a new community. Today, if you visit Obed you find Christians and Muslims living together in an integrated community. If there are tuition needs among the children of Muslim families, the church helps pay for them. If there is a medical need, they will raise money in the church, whether beneficiaries are believers or not. It is truly a community, in which the church loves their neighbour as themselves.
Their Muslim neighbours have asked why Obed chooses to work with them, when he has found a new faith. He answers that it’s the power of Jesus that compels him.
It is moving to hear these stories of compassion in action. It’s moving to hear how a shepherd’s heart can impact the life of an entire community.
It shows how God can change entire communities and that he can do that through just one person.
God shepherded one man’s heart and through that, a whole community. The good shepherd is transforming the Fulani community.
*Pseudonym
** If you found this article inspiring, please visit our Fulani-related projects on the top (mobile) or left (desktop) side of this page. **
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