The two women walked into our courtyard. Their clothing, tattoos and facial features instantly revealed they were Fulani. One lady had a small baby tied to her back. The basins balanced on their heads marked them as sellers of milk and cheese. I was busy and tried to tell them that Maggi didn’t want to buy cheese today. Either not understanding or pretending they didn’t, they moved on toward the house, repeating words I didn’t understand. Finally, I called to Maggi, “Some ladies are here to see you.”
As Maggi came out and saw who was there, she said to me, “Oh, she probably wants to show me her baby.” Sure enough, that was why the lady had come. The three of them sat on chairs on our veranda, and Maggi oohed and aahed over the newborn Fulani baby.
As I went back to my work in the house, I kept thinking of what had just happened. We don’t know these women very well, but they wanted to show Maggi the baby. Whenever we go into town, Fulani women are attracted to our kids, gathering around them and talking to us as if we understand everything they say.
The Fulani seem more attracted to us than other peoples we meet in Benin. Some say the Fulani, with their more Caucasian features, believe they are related to white people, so they feel a special bond with us. It seems that a white missionary family with small children would have access to the Fulani that others might not have. This proud and independent people need the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Would you consider answering the call to reach the Fulani with the Gospel?
