Psalm 41 in Dogon Country, Mali

Mike and Colleen Hoyer of New Westminster, BC spent four months in early 2008 as International Relief Managers (IRMs) on a joint project of CRWRC (Christian Reformed World Relief Committee) and CFGB (Canadian Food Grains Bank) in Mali, French West Africa. They share here a taste of their experience in an area that had earlier been deluged with major flooding when a half year’s rain fell in one day. 

CRWRC sent us to Mali with a mandate to deliver millet and oil in exchange for work to repair the dams, wells, and gardens in Dogon County. We were asked to make sure the food got into the hands of those in poverty who needed it and not the back pockets of those who didn’t.

On arriving in Mali, we saw much physical poverty. People didn’t have enough food to give them the energy to work and the food supply is very limited. The isolation, the inability to pay taxes, and the lack of material goods was evident.

But you know what we did notice? There is no Spiritual Poverty in the communities we met who know the Lord. There is always a smile, handshake or a wave for us in each village from most people. People have been asking God to bless us – we the people who have everything, so it seems. What people outside North America do not know is that we also are tempted with greed, pride in our possessions and positions, and the belief that we are self-sufficient, needing nothing from anybody, including God. All those things are signs of Spiritual Poverty, or the inability to understand that we have needs that can’t be filled if we just have enough money to buy the right “stuff”. So it is right that, when villagers thanked us for our physical gift, they asked for God to bless us, to give us Spiritual Prosperity. We helped them to increase their Physical Prosperity; their prayers, and yours, helped increase our Spiritual Prosperity.

We were told we would be the only North Americans in Mali and the local people might not understand our needs or fears. Though that may be true, we have found that God has walked with us, He has helped us to understand the cultural differences between us, he provided wonderful people to walk with us and encourage us. But we have always made time to ask each other, “How can I pray for you?” and then do that – pray. God walked with us and Christian people in North America and Mali have prayed for us.

As the distributions occurred, the village chiefs were quite astounded: a project actually was going to happen, it was going to benefit their people, there would be no government siphoning off the top, and it was done by a Christian organization. The local Christians were helpful, eager and committed throughout this project. All the locals were eager to work with us to ensure the integrity of the project.

In successive distributions there were celebratory dances and gift giving.  This served as community celebration. Carrying a 50 kg bag of millet was akin to a Canadian holding the Stanley Cup high. It was fun to watch! The spirit was positive, hopeful and thankful for God’s goodness to Dogon people.

Agemon Nantane, of Pouroli, commented: Thanks to you, we have strength to work, because, we are eating well. There used to be disagreements in the village, because we were hungry and now we are living peacefully, even husbands and wives. Birapo! (thank you)!

In Kokolo, Hama Wologuem asked to speak with us. He is one of the sons of the village chiefs and expressed the thoughts of the village. He thanked us for what we have done, saying that they are impressed with the transparency and fairness of the process.

Bourema Sana Kossogue, the village chief at Tabitongo, made three points after seeking us out. First, when he heard us explain that it was Canadian farmers who were sharing their crop, he expressed hope and prayers that God would continue to keep the farmers healthy so that they can keep giving of their crops for projects such as this. Second, he renamed the project, “Waiting on God” as they have learned that God gives at the right time. Third, he wished us, the IRM’s, and farmers back in Canada good health.

In the final distributions, there was much celebration, dancing, eating, gift giving. The following speech (translated) given in Sangha, before about 1000 people, sums up the attitude:
“Permit me to greet you, and to thank you in the name of the crew coordinators for the grain distribution. Today, we are very happy for the smooth operation of this mission. The 10 villages of Sangha received oil, as well as work tools (shovels, wheel barrows, picks, bars, etc.) which were shared by the villagers to work on their gardens and the enlargement of wells. The local authorities never even managed to organize such a relief effort.  Above all, the village chiefs met with us each time they were needed to help support the project. The beneficiaries are very content with this initiative of gifts. They have completed the assigned task with which they were entrusted. We, the crew coordinators, thank infinitely the donators for this unforgettable gesture which has contributed immensely to the fight against poverty. Thank you again to the organizers, the organizations, the village chiefs and the villagers for breathing life into this operation. It is written in Scripture, Psalms 41: 1-3 “Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor! The Lord rescues them when they are in trouble. The Lord protects them and keeps them alive. He gives them prosperity in the land and rescues them from their enemies. The Lord nurses them when they are sick and restores them to health.” (NLT) Amen. Thank you.”

And so we returned home feeling as though we had made a trip to the Holy Land, a cluster of 21 villages about 70 km apart. As we walked in each of these villages, it felt like we were walking in scripture times, the distances, the clothing, the food, the smiles, the dirt; it was the same now as it was 1000 years ago in Dogon country, Mali, French West Africa.

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