The Maribo Part 3

The Maribo (Part III)

Forgive me for dividing this story up into segments. My purpose was to include the details in short segments that were readable in a short period of time. If it has created an expectancy, that is, I assure you, only incidental :)

Maribo is the French word for 'divine healer'. The word that the Baka use is 'nganga', a word we have heard many times over the past couple of weeks. He has been a temporary resident of our area for that amount of time. For a few days he was in the vicinity of our houses. A time that coincided with an increase in sickness, not a decrease which one would expect a healer to accomplish.

But back to the ritual . . .

Most people seated around the fire had their foreheads painted with a tree bark concoction; a part of the ritual that was not offered to us. I was pleased, but prepared to decline had I been asked to participate.

As the young Baka man with Tuberculosis continued to follow the instructions of the nganga, other rituals were performed. One being that the healer rubbed his body all over the body of his subject.

We had made a decision as a family that our children shouldn't be at the ritual. We felt it our responsibility to guard their minds and hearts from this experience at this stage of their lives. They were safe at home with their mom. In contrast was the participation of the young people at the ritual. With their parents nearby, the young children played a crucial part of providing the mood for the evening ritual with their singing.

Late in the ritual, the music ceased and the nganga addressed the crowd. He lectured everyone and told them that the boy's father was responsible because he was not a good father. All of those present were invited to come by twos and stretch their hands over the fire. This served a dual purpose; to determine the guilt of anyone present and to provide strength for the participants. We were urged to join in, but once again explained that our strength comes from the One True God.

The ritual was complete and the boy was considered healed. The final requirement was that his parents return the next day with their saliva to offer to the nganga.

Today (2 weeks later) the boy is still very weak. He wasn't able to make the 2 mile walk from the encampment to his house. We pray that he is still faithfully taking his TB treatment (which lasts for 6 months) and not just relying on what the healer said.

That last statement reflects something of our own system of beliefs. Though we did have the opportunity to proclaim our solitary trust in Christ, sometimes we come across as trusting in the medicine for healing. The Baka trust in the spirits that their healer calls upon. We know that neither is completely correct. It is God that we all need to trust in to use whatever method he chooses. Please pray that God will show Himself in this situation as the Great Healer! And continue to pray with us that God will weaken the powers and spiritual forces that have such a tight control over these people.

The story is not over. The Baka "do not segment their lives into religion, economics, politics, and entertainment as we are so accustomed to do. Life is seen as one whole, with religion at the center. People hunt and gather for food, but they know that without the blessing of God, their efforts are futile." ('Incarnational Ministry': Heibert). They have no problem believing in God. They are willing to seek out the help of God, but see no distinction between the other spiritual and physical options at their disposal and God's power.

We are here at a crucial time in the lives of the Baka as the gospel message has begun to penetrate their society and lives. It is important that we present the gospel as a whole gospel. It must deal with salvation from sin, but also with illness, hunger, hostilities in the group, and with other problems of life.

Pray for us as we are constantly faced with choices that have the potential to communicate this whole gospel of Christ to the Baka people. Pray also for God's word to penetrate hearts that are longing for a lasting hope. Pray that they may know the Hope that is ours in the person of Jesus Christ.