The people group
· Cultural and worldview differences mean this group tends to distance itself socially from the majority group of the area.
· The group is sometimes misunderstood and disenfranchised, despite being a very large people group.
· Their culture and religious beliefs and practices are tightly integrated. Their religious beliefs and practices comprise a mix of traditional spiritism and Islam.
· Capitalism, commercialism and Westernism are growing influences.
· Young adults strive for a good education and employment. Many attend a university which caters primarily for students from this people group, while some attend other universities.
· Few in the group have learned of Jesus in any meaningful way, and see Christianity as foreign and irrelevant.
Team roles
Team members are seconded to an agency which works in development, health and educational projects.
· Learning the language and gaining an understanding of the culture takes a long time.
· Team members have diverse roles – English teaching, financial consultancy, etc.
· Through interaction team members build friendships – at work, when teaching, in social contexts, at places where community members meet such as the market or in outdoor activities.
· Hospitality and visits build trust, and in this context conversations take place about significant life issues which are troubling people.
· Ongoing contact provides encouragement toward growth and learning for all concerned.