Fall 1999

Week one

Hi, my name is Jason Smith. I am really excited that you have taken the time to get connected with Collegiate Mobilization.

I will be helping to keep you connected in the coming months. Each month we hope to highlight an unreached people group and the countries where they are located. We will also take a glimpse at missions opportunities and will listen to the stories of those who have been. We will also be sending devotional information that will help us see God’s Heart for the Nations. To contact the Collegiate Mobilization Team by e-mail, send messages to studentteam@imb.org.

A little information about me:

I am currently working at the International Mission Board as an intern while attending Virginia Commonwealth University. Praise God, I will finally graduate from college this May with a double major in biology and religious studies. One of my deepest passions is international missions and travel. I am very thankful that God has afforded me the opportunity to work with people like you who are interested in seeing His love and mercy spread throughout the nations.

Unreached People Group (UPG) Profile: Fulbe Jeeri

At a glance:

Religion: Sufi Muslim
Location: Senegal, Gambia, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania
Population: 400,000-420,000
Language: Pulaar
Diet: Rice, millet, cow peas, dairy products
Life Expectancy: M 54, F 57
Health Care: Limited access to health care facilities, poor water, nutrition and sanitation

Getting Deeper:

So who are the Fulbe Jeeri? The Fulbe Jeeri are a subgroup of the Fulani people group. These proud, independent people are the largest nomadic people group in the world.

The Fulbe are bound by a strong moral code. This code is based largely on traditional Islamic tenets, such as prescribed prayer five times a day, giving to the poor and observing a month of fasting. Traditional Islamic beliefs intermingle with Spiritism. Many wear magic charms to ward off illness, danger or evil spirits. The Fulbe also endeavor to maintain their ideal qualities of modesty, reserve, fortitude and patience.

For thousands of years, this group has braved the harsh climate of the African Sahel, an arid area in Senegal. They are now faced by another potentially greater problem. Increasing development and sedentary farming have limited grazing areas. This, coupled with an increasingly fragile ecology, has forced many of the Fulbe to settle in larger towns. There they find work as farmers, traders, government employees and day laborers. True nomadic herding is on the decline, but it is still held as the ideal. Many Fulbe have become seminomadic, living in a permanent village and moving only when grazing areas or water become limited.

More information on how to pray for the Fulbe Jeeri next Monday.

Bible Study:

GOD’S HEART FOR THE NATIONS