H and I are Fulani. Fulani traditionally identify strongly as Muslim, their religion closely entwined with dominant Fulani cultural life. They are also traditionally cattle herders across Africa’s Sahel, from Senegal to Sudan, some living a semi-nomadic existence, most in Nigeria settled in villages, with their boys walking the cattle trails to find grazing for their herds.
Lawal, the father of our two boys, converted to Christianity
in 2013. After conversion Lawal collected his two small sons to stay with other
Christian extended family members in Adamawa State to avoid persecution from
his Kaduna State family members.
After some years, Lawal visited his village in Kaduna state
and was murdered by his people for converting from Islam to Christianity. Lawal’s
Kaduna State family members travelled immediately to Adamawa State and brought
H and I back to their Kaduna State village to prevent the boys
continuing in Christianity.
The boys were not happy staying with their Kaduna State family.
They kept quiet when they learned the truth of their father’s murder,
participating in the family business of cattle rearing, only sharing their
concerns together when out on the hills with the herd. Despite the words of
their family, they could not accept that the God whom they knew as a loving
heavenly father could demand the murder of their earthly father. They knew men
did this, not God.
After five months in their father’s village H and I quietly left the village, unnoticed, and followed the cattle trails south. It
took them some days before they felt safe enough, far enough away, to seek
help. By then their feet and legs were badly swollen, and they were very, very
hungry.
The two boys found themselves in a town they had never been
to before. They had unknowingly walked across the hills into Nasarawa State. H and I decided to look for a church for safety. The pastor listened to their story
and was afraid. He knew in sheltering these boys, attacks from either their
Fulani family or any other Islamic group were likely to follow, but he could
not throw H and I out of his church. He searched for contacts for ministries
accepting converts from Islam. Rev P, the founder of BDC in Jos was among those the pastor called and Rev. P asked the pastor to send the boys to him.
When they arrived Rev P realised that the Nasarawa State
pastor had neglected to tell him that the boys are just children. Rev P’s
discipleship centre helps adult converts from Islam who need a foundation in their
new faith in Jesus and basic skills to make their way in life, such as how to
read and write in Hausa, the lingua franca of the region. But H and I have been raised as Christians, and they are only children.
So, after seven months with him, Rev P started looking for a ministry where the boys can study for their future. After making several attempts without any
positive response, he came across a graduate from Christian Faith Institute
(CFI) who introduced him to CFM and told him to meet the Registrar, Rev.
Gabriel Aiso. On 20th of September, Rev. P met Rev. Gabe concerning the two
orphans and was asked to bring the children. 21st of September 2021, H and
I were brought to Christian Faith Ministries.
The boys are happy. They have settled in the boys’ dormitory
and are cautiously making new friends. The school year has just begun and
H and I are keen to start. They will be interviewed by school staff and
initially placed in the special class until we can see where they are up to.
Most Crisis Care children arrive never having been to school before, and those
who have been to school, somewhere, sometime, are generally way behind. H and I are bright and motivated. They will flourish. We thank God for their
faith and courage.
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