Mission History

In 1984 the Christian Reformed Church Synod approved a new field for World Missions among the Fulbe (sometimes called Fulani) people of French West Africa. The same year Larry and Ann Vanderaa initiated work in the Macina region of Mali. They were joined by Scott and Mary Crickmore of the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee in 1985. Since then five teams made up of missionary families or singles have joined them. Work continues in the Macina region but has also expanded into other areas of Mali where the Fulbe live.

Culture

Mali is about twice the size of Texas, or about the size of Texas and California combined, and is located in the West African savanna region, a transition zone between the coastal rain forest and the desert. Generally speaking, Mali can be divided into two main people groups: the settled farmers who inhabit the southern part of the country, and the nomadic livestock herders who dominate the sparsely settled desert region to the north. These people in the north are the Fulbe, the Tuaregs, and the Moors.

Traditionally, the Fulbe were nomadic cattle herders, but in recent years increasing numbers are settling down while others have migrated to the cities. Almost all Fulbe are Muslim, but in the past several years a handful of Fulbe have become Christians. Altogether, only about two percent of Malians would call themselves Christians.

Although French is Mali’s official language, Fulfulde is the language spoken by the Fulbe in the country. About one million Fulbe who live in central and northern Mali speak the Macina dialect of Fulfulde, while another 100,000 Fulbe in western Mali speak the Futa Toro dialect.

Most Malians live in small towns and villages; only 16 percent live in communities of more the 5,000 people. Malians take great pride in being descendents of the ancient African empires of Ghana, Mali, and the Songhai kingdom, which controlled the West African savanna from 800-1500 A.D. The French came into Mali in the 1880s, and Mali became independent in 1960.

Mission Vision

The members of the Christian Reformed Mission Team in Mali are posted in five different areas among the Fulbe. The missionaries live simple lifestyles among the people in order to build friendships, gain trust, and identify with the people, most of whom have never even met a Christian. In time the Gospel can be shared in the context of these friendships.

Mali is a joint field of Christian Reformed World Missions and the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee, which are cooperating in an effort to establish a church and community development ministry in the area. In addition to evangelism, missionaries are working in the areas of health, agriculture, water sanitation, and literacy.

Results

About 20 Fulbe Christians are associated with the work of the CRC in West Africa. Some in the Macina dialect area have only professed their faith secretly. Although many are open to the Gospel, many fear persecution from family and friends in these traditional, tight-knit Muslim communities. It will take time and patience and a strong movement of the Spirit, but missionaries among the Fulbe feel confident that in time many will become Christians.

Missionaries are working in a region in western Mali where the Futa Tora dialect is spoken. In one village where they work, the chief as well as two other elders of the village have professed faith in Christ, and asked that someone come to teach the Bible. All have recently been baptized. Many others appear to be open to the Gospel.

Support

The most important gift you can give missionaries is a daily prayer for their lives and work. At any given time Christian Reformed World Missions supports about 300 long-term and short-term missionaries and about 200 missionary children located in over 30 countries around the world. These people have been called, commissioned, and sent by Christian Reformed churches to represent our devotion to Jesus Christ, and to urge others to accept His offer of salvation.

Here’s a partial list of items to pray for on behalf of missionaries:

• emotional needs
• physical needs
• relationships with other missionaries
• relationships with nationals
• relationship with God
• effective ministry
• family life

Financial support is also crucial for the ongoing work of bringing the Good News around the world. Support can be given for specific missionaries, or specific projects can be found in the “Project Giving Guide” at your church or available from the World Missions offices in either the United States or Canada.

More Resources:

Videos
Video and DVD-2004 The Scattered Ones: The Fulani of Mali (15 min./4 min.)
Video-2003 Salimatu: My life in Sagalo (6 min.)
Video-2003 Baptisms in Kono (3 min.)
Video-1997 Laawol Iisaa—The Jesus Way (8 min.)

CRC Source: Fall 2000
• Download the PDF (16pgs, 448k)