Celebrating in Niger

All cultures express hospitality. Perhaps none are as lively as these communities in West Africa. Dancing on the ground’s hot sand, drumming on percussive instruments that seemed to sing, ululating, blessing—yes, loudly voicing their benedictions upon us as we walked by.

At Konni, the community opened itself to include us in their inner circle of leaders; what’s more, seated prominently, we were vested in traditional garb and gave remarks then translated into Hausa. Lutheran World Relief’s board chairman (pictured in the photo) commented to representatives of the 3,300 member wheat grower’s federation, “We look at this project as a model for others around the world.”

At Matankari more than 2000 persons thronged to the town center at the Niger flagpole. Older boys took to the trees for a better vantage of the ceremonies. No energy was spared to speak welcome, in music, meals and detailed presentations of the transformational benefits from our partnership.

I believe this energetic expression of welcome is a testimony to LWR’s expression of development work, the accompaniment model. We relate to grassroots experts, facilitating access to agricultural inputs, access to credit-granting institutions, access to markets, access to a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11). Our preposition of choice is with. We don’t impose, presume or tower over others. God is with us and others, so, we are with others. We walk with, work with, wait with and even dance in celebration with—giving thanks and praise for the change that comes when people are with one another.