July 2018: Zanzan’s Secret

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Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Romans 12:13

My husband and I serve in Morocco with the Comité d’Entraide Internationale – CEI (International Aid Committee) of the Evangelical Protestant Church in Morocco, a Global Ministries partner. CEI’s work includes welcoming, assisting, and accompanying refugees and migrants coming mainly from Sub-Saharan Africa hoping to pass through to Europe.

Some come because they don’t have enough money to survive where they were living. Many are first-born males and their family’s well being is on their shoulders. The few women that I have encountered are mothers, leaving their children in their home country to find a better life for their offspring in Europe. Some are unaccompanied minors. Some are young women who were raped on their route to what they call Canaan. All are risking their lives for a dream.

As part of our work, we visited a training class in a mechanic’s garage. The name of the garage is “Le Secret du Zanzan” (Zanzan’s Secret). While we watched the work, I asked the owner about the meaning of the name.

“Zanzan” means coming from afar to another land to establish oneself. He told me the story of two brothers who travelled from Cameroon to the Ivory Coast. They left their land, their country, their families, and everything they knew to go to a foreign land that would one day be their own. In his eyes, we could see hope! I didn’t ask any more questions, but I think he was telling his own story. He now teaches others the basics of mechanics and is investing and infusing life into future generations.

His story was inspiring and relevant to us. My husband and I are from Canada – another country, another land, another continent, and another culture – yet we arrived here in Morocco and it felt like home.

Emmanuela Loccident and Fritz-Gerald Joseph currently serve with the Evangelical Protestant Church of Morocco. Their appointment is supported by Our Church’s Wider Mission, Disciples Mission Fund, and your special gifts.