LIVED EXPERIENCE AS A MISSIONARY

It is a great gift from God to be called out and another favour from the same creator to count one worthy to be sent to share the love received with other children/ people of God.

How wonderful it is to dwell in your house O Lord forever singing your praise. It was a very conflicting moment when l was sent to Cameroon with no pre-knowledge of the place, people and culture but with the light of the gospel l embraced the challenge with a promise to God and self that l will build my heaven on earth with these people of God to whom l am been sent. And so it was in Tourou among the people so lovely, caring and dedicated to God and culture in their very simple manner that is very contagious. Mainly farmers and traders but very happy people contended in their own world. In the end l noticed an inner movement, longing to learn from them what true simplicity is all about and what it is to live each day at a time meant. In fact l was a student and my new found people of God were my teacher and mentor.

I live to experience true love inspite of the language and culture barrier. Among the people of Moudan, Toupuri, Giziqa, Gidai etc, l formed a home, my family among them, l experienced love, fraternity and true Christian community.

The Fulani (bororo) as they were popularly called soon begun to name their children Dorothy after me along with the Muslim family, l left Touroua leaving behind eight Dorothy ranging from bororo, muslim and Christians alike. Leaving Touroua was very difficult because l have learnt fufude the local language and it was my class mate in primary school in Touroua who taught me French. I enjoy the visit and gifts from my class mates regularly, this l know l will miss and change is always very difficult. Secondly, l hate packing and unpacking in fact l dislike movement. Here l have to once again die to self and rise with Christ who strengthen me.

Journeying to Doukoula to another unknown village, people wa o o o once there, the people welcomed me with open hands they were deeply rooted in their culture and these reflected in all aspects of their lives. They were also well netted together wherever you found Toupuru people automatically became brothers caring for each other.

I worked with the catholic women organization alongside with my nursing profession since l was in charge of the clinic. In all the villages where l worked, among whom l was sent l learnt love, humility, sincerity and trust l was under their school and gradually l begin to go of so many things l thought were so important, l begin to experience a new Dorothy.

These people, my new family empowered me, encouraged me and in the end they brought out the best in me, a new creature, a new being full of love and ready to make sacrifices through new humble beginnings. Part of me still remains with my families in Touroua, Doukoula and Maroua where l did not get to settle before the death of my daring daddy, God rest him he will always be my father in the next world. It is very painful; l was not there for him at his last moment.

In all, it was through prayer in the Holy Eucharist together with the intercession of the blessed virgin mother that l was able to overcome the struggle of the moments of hard times. For our lives are made up of both joys and sorrows without which our lives are not balanced.

The gift of being a missionary is my new found world with French culture and tradition. Today l do not just think like a Nigerian rather my reasoning is broader and my ways of seeing things changed. In fact l am a new being baptized in fire as to be purified for Christ, l count everything as so much rubbish only to be given a place in him. For me a day in his house is more than a thousand elsewhere. It is only love that can conquer the world, true love because the world is only but a global village.

Dorothy Okuma DHS