The Talk Place

Let me tell you a story from Cameroon. It is about a a distributor of cassettes called Ndongo Jean. He took six hours to get to Dimaka from Yaounde, the capital, and on the way he was chased by whirlwinds and dust storms. When he arrived he found a small town begun when a forest plantation was established in the area. In this district live the Bakum, the Baka, the Maka and the Baya people groups. These are the Pygmies who used to live in the forests. They grow maize, farm small animals and raise fish.

When Ndonga arrived, the local pastor he was counting on to be his guide, was unavailable. He plonked himself down in the waiting area of his accommodation, disappointed, pensive and not knowing what to do. Who would be his go-between? A young man turned up at reception. He was in tatters, barefoot, exhausted, and in pain. Standing in front of the receptionist, he was quite close to Ndongo. Telling his story, the young man described how he had prepared a field of two hectares of maize, how he was anxious in case it was at risk from the marabouts, the charlatan holy men, who, consumed with jealousy, were threatening him, warning him to arm himself with their spells.

Ndongo was able to tell the young man that he could introduce him to someone more powerful than any “marabouts” and their devious ways. And that he would love to do so. Later the young man came and he listened eagerly to the good news of Jesus. Three days later the young man who was called Atangana Atangana received Christ. He became Ndonga's companion in the work and a precious tool in the hand of the Saviour for the evangelisation of this locality.

The two of them went on to Nkoumadjap, a nearby village, where the people are the Bakum Pygmies; they had a history of not receiving visitors favourably. They viewed the visitors with suspicion, thinking they were from the Jehovah Witnesses. With great tact Atangana helped them to understand who Ndongo was. The Bakum listened to the Good News and were given cassettes. They asked many questions, and became convinced of their need for salvation. They each received Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour. They were united in asking us to come and plant a church in their village. It would be the first church in that part of their territory. They added that they had never received a visit from a missionary before.

The evening of their departure saw Ndongo and Atangano Atangano returning to Nkoumadjap for an impromptu visit. To their great surprise there was a spontaneous gathering of all the people that they had contacted previously. And once again the people were keen to hear the Gospel. Later on they exchanged addresses. Since Ndongo's return he has received two telephone calls coming from the Nkoumadjap village.

In other villages we have visited, the same spiritual needs have made themselves felt.

Based on an extract from Echos d'Audio Gospel No1 - 2007