a church delegation visits the imams of Kayes Ndi

Yesterday, Nov 19^th, was the 2nd day of the Muslim feast memorializing Abraham's sacrifice known as Tabaski here in West Africa.  So in an effort of fraternity and witness several of us went to a number of different mosques to visit the imams in their homes.  We focused on the Kayes Ndi (small Kayes) side of the river where there is one Bambara speaking church and where I focus my visits to the Fulanis.

As a delegation of two pastors, Pierre and Joshua, and two missionaries, Siegfried and myself, and two other church members, Abel and Benjamin, we visited about ten imams and two town officials: the mayor and the village chief.  (I think this was Siegfried's third time to do such greetings, I went with him once before.)  I knew over half of them; in fact the chief is in a "grin" group where I often drink tea!  We had a great time and were warmly rec'd in every case as we made these short visits of ten to fifteen minutes. We were even giving them a large card with Arabic writing in the round like Muslims do but this time with Bible verses such as the Lord's Prayer or the Beatitudes.  I gave a small tract in Pulaar to the Fulanis, too.   

I heard today that one of the church members really liked this and thot that we should also visit all the mosques in Kayes, too!  I was also able to sort out better who was who and to make a few connections.  It was interesting that our guide, Mr. Ndiaye, was one with whom I had eaten part of the feast the day before via Mr. Diop, too, so I've made a better friend with him, too.  Another was a relative of one family I know very well, so that connection was improved, too.  Because of my work with the Mauritanian refugees several years back and the help of one Kayes Fulani, Mr. Abba Sy, I took his family name, so I'm known by many jokingly as Abba's son, his oldest son even, since Babba is a year younger.  Abba passed away a couple years ago never confessing Jesus, and I don't think he really understood the gospel much in spite of clear witness several times.  As yet we have just one Fulani believer in Kayes, and he's not from here.  Another man form Kayes was saved elsewhere a long time ago, and he's currently in seminary in Cameroon!  Two or three others are very open and close, but stepping over the fence requires a real effort here. 

I have a dream to do more research in Kayes as to what varieties of SLM we have here.  They have many denominations, too, and most of the Christians and missionaries are ignorant of these distinctions among them.  Some have told me that every mosque of Kayes is a different denomination (brotherhood)!  Most West Africans are Sufis of the Moroccan founded Tijaniyya order (and there are now many versions of this), but some are Wahabiyya, some are Quadiriyya, etc.  Such visits as we did yesterday help me in pursuing this dream.

Those met yesterday:

M. War, a Fulani near Thiam’s home, not present, only older lady who blessed us forever!
M. ___, a Fulani behind Peter’s house and friend of Abel, cheap mud house, not present
M. Sow, a young Fulani in new mosque near Nema’s RA housing; M. Dicko was there, too.
M. Souleyman BA, jom woro and member of tea ‘grin’(Oumar Diallo’en outside)
M. Ly, near Ba family but head of grand mosque of Baka Foro (pix)
M. Adama(?) Mariko, Kayes Ndi Mayor (pix), small yard and house, next to Samba Docter (sic) place.
M. Ibrahima Nimaga, past the church in Karankaran, Kadija Diop husband, and Modibo Diop was there, and a griot, too! (pix)     Nimaga is ‘politician’ of Kayes, his bro. a deputé, he selected the mayor, etc., Family from Nioro, a cattle dealer.
M. Sacko, a Soninke, mosque in Karankaran, older house on one side two stories, newer side large and roomy!
M. Sy, older Fulani who knew me as ‘bi Abba’ (!) lives near big mosque but imam of Ba’en mosque!
M. Mogobé Traoré, a Bambara, near market (son a rapper in France!)
M. Ibrahim Ndiaye, a Fulani tailor, was our guide; he lives near Woppa Diop’en;  Joba, an old lady there is also my friend.

odd notes: 
-all named Chiekna are also called Yuba after Alamamy Cheik Hamala of Nioro.
-all named Ibrahima are also called Baya!
-all named Moussa are also called Bala,
-all named Oumar can be called Baril, at least by Fulanis, etc.

-An Oumou as daughter, the brother who follows is always Modibo (works in the Modibo Diop and Vieux Mohammad’s cases!)