God has not given us any condition under which we can’t
love. To God, our enemies need our love more than those perceived to be nice to
us.
Today in Nigeria, farmers-herders' clash has been making a lot
of headlines almost every day and this has created not just a barrier between the
indigenous farmers and herders but a religious repulsion between the two major
religion in Nigeria; which is Christianity and Islam. Majority of Christians in
Nigeria sees Fulani tribe or herders as Muslims and this widens the gab between
the two religions.
This also places the two on the defensive side, there is
no trust between either Christians and Muslims or Fulani (herders) and the indigenous
farmers. This divisive or defensive way of living is a time bomb to the entire
nation.
Christian Faith Ministries sees Christ as the answer to
this divisions by following Jesus pattern. Jesus didn’t heal division with division
as the world does; Jesus healed division by extending the hand of fellowship or
love to the perceived enemies. In other words, Jesus destroyed barriers or
division by building bridges and not defensive walls. This is God’s wisdom; and
if we must get it right, we must follow Christ example.
With an increasing number of clashes between farmers and herders,
Fulani (herders) don’t believe they can be loved by the local dwellers. On the
other hand, indigenous farmers don’t think they need herders around and
therefore, it is very difficult to see or hear a friendly conversation when the
two meet. An average farmer sees herders as terrorists and this resonate across
the nation.
When Christian Faith Ministries gave an invitation to Fulani
men to bring their cows, some security personnel left, they felt Christian
Faith Ministries is looking for trouble or inviting terrorist to come and terrorized them or the community.
On the other hand, the herders didn’t believe they can be invited over with their cow to a Christian organization because they felt they are no longer loved or needed by Christians. But when they were convinced, they came over with their cows. Now, they are
confidently living within the environment. Both Christian Faith Ministries and the Fulani cows are enjoying mutual benefits, the presence of these cows is improving
soil vitality as they graze through the land every day.
A picture of Fulani Cows grazing at CFM permanent site
To some extent, Christian Faith Ministries in conjunction
with Zoetis organized a vaccination programme, through which about hundreds of Fulani
cows were vaccinated; this further deepens the relationship and trust between herders
and the host community. Love shown by Christian Faith Ministries broke the wall
and with this, Fulani elders came to appreciate the kind gesture from the
ministries. This kind of visit was strange, because one could not expect people
that were perceived to be terrorist coming to pay a peaceful visit to a Christian
Foundation instead of attacking residents. It was a new beginning.
Fulani Elders pay Kent Hodge a courtesy visit in appreciation for caring for their cows
Pray and partner with Christian Faith Ministries in reaching
out to more these people.
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