What I Learned from Nigeria's Ministry of Greeting

I have some vivid memories from our time in Nigeria. Since we served at theological institutions (first Smith Bible College and then Veenstra Theological Seminary) we always had vibrant communities around us. We experienced the blessing of that community in many ways. One of the most powerful was through the Nigerian practice of “greeting.” When something happens in your life—whether good or bad—the community will come and visit you. They will dwell with you in your joy or grief.

My daughter, Mary, was born while on home service. I have very clear memories of how, upon our return to Veenstra Seminary, we had a string of individuals and groups coming to “greet.” There was singing and dancing. The joy was visible, palpable. Mary was welcomed into the community. She was embraced.

I also remember two particular instances when our community came to greet in times of sorrow and loss. At one point, when we were at Smith Bible College in Baissa, I thought I had a miscarriage. Word got out to the students and beyond and, before I could even gather my own thoughts, people were coming to sit with us in our bewilderment and loss. One greeter in particular stands out to me. Amina made the trek from her compound, Salama. Amina had been treated for leprosy, but not before some of the cruel effects of the disease. She didn’t often make the walk to our campus on the nubs of her feet. That day, she made a choice to share my sorrow and pain. After a trip to the city, I learned that, whatever had happened in the dark night down bush, I had not lost my baby. I don’t know why I went through that valley of pain, but I did come out of it knowing I was not alone. 

We have been given the gift of relationship with God’s beloved in Nigeria. We have a call to share in the desolation of our brothers and sisters in Christ. While we may not be able to physically “greet,” we can seek to understand and share in the fullness of their experience. As we meditate on the coming of Christ and wait for his second coming this Advent season, let’s consider what God might be calling us to pray, and hope and do in response.

Another time I remember being greeted was on September 12, 2001. We were by no means late risers. But that day, students were at our door before we got out of bed. We rushed to get ourselves up and dressed. Our community had heard the news about 9/11 on BBC World Radio before we did. They came to express their sympathy and commune with us in the vulnerability that followed the events that happened across the world in a place that they knew little about but which they knew mattered to us. 

Amid the turmoil of our news cycles in North America these days, we may not be hearing about Nigeria. Nigeria is besieged. God’s people are suffering. Within the last years and months, the activity of terrorist groups has escalated and kidnappings for ransom have run rampant. Within the last few weeks, two members were kidnapped from one of the churches of a partner denomination—returned only after the community raised a large ransom. Another local church had all 25 members taken. The news of abductions of large groups from schools has led to schools closing their doors for the time being. Resonate postponed a planned training trip for staff from another country in the hopes that they can go when the situation has de-escalated.

 The CRC’s mission in Nigeria has shaped our imagination as God’s people. As a denomination, we’ve been able to rejoice and have been part of a movement of Christ in Nigeria. We are called to celebrate people coming to faith and be thankful when we see multiplication. But that is only half of the story of missions. I believe that God invites us not only to share the happy stories but also let some of the pain touch and move us as well. We have been given the gift of relationship with God’s beloved in Nigeria. We have a call to share in the desolation of our brothers and sisters in Christ. While we may not be able to physically “greet,” we can seek to understand and share in the fullness of their experience. As we meditate on the coming of Christ and wait for his second coming this Advent season, let’s consider what God might be calling us to pray, and hope and do in response.

Joyce Suh is the Global Mission Leader for Resonate Global Mission, the mission agency of the Christian Reformed Church in North America

Pictured: Women’s fellowship group from Donga local church pray over our new baby