One thing that has been interesting here is that there are tons of people out and about selling things or offering services. Men walk around offering to clean shoes, trim toenails (seriously!), sew things, wash cars, trim bushes and so on. Women set up stands in random nooks on side streets and sell produce, fried pastries, sandwiches or nuts. Men stand next to busy roads or walk along the highway, taking advantage of standstill traffic to try and sell all manner of thing; cashews, peanuts, small birds to offer as penance for sin, windshield wipers, dresses, shirts, bags of water, toys, large framed pictures, rugs, cleaning supplies, sunglasses, kites…you get the picture. This is in addition to stands that are more permanently set up to sell fruit and vegetables, clothing, street food and so on.
Door-to-door sales are also very common and if you buy from someone once you had better be ready to have them show up to your door one to three times a week. It only takes one purchase to be considered a regular on their route. For example, we have a “fish guy” named Abdou who frequents our home. We are now in a rhythm of buying a kilo of fish each week from him and are then able to offer him a few moments of respite from the sun in our front entry. We chat for a couple of minutes and he downs a cup or two of cold water. We found out recently that he has 8 children who are 21 years old down to elementary age. His persistence is admirable and also understandable knowing how many people he is supporting.
Recently we added a “citrus guy” to our rotation named Muhammad. He is one of the people who sells things by chanting repeatedly what it is he is selling. Then, once you buy from him once, he comes to your door, chanting in between stops to try and garner new customers. His cry is especially distinct. A loud, deep chant of “Limon, limon, limon!” which is citrus in Wolof. For months our family has loved when he passes because we enjoyed chanting “limon, limon, limon” in our own home whenever we heard him, but we had yet to actually purchase anything from him. Then about a month ago I actually needed limes and happened to be at the front door when he passed. I flagged him down and made my first purchase. Muhammad now stops by two or three times a week and Desi is in charge of giving him 500cfa (about 80 cents) for the little bag of limes.
There are several other people who use the power of sound to indicate what they are offering and to let people know they’re there. For example, the guys who sew things walk around with an old fashioned looking sewing machine propped on one shoulder and shearers in their hand which they make a clacking noise with as they walk so you always know where they’re at.
This has made me think about the idea of proclamation. These people who are selling their wares have found ways to announce beforehand about their arrival so that those they’re approaching can respond and buy something when they come. They herald their arrival and the good things they bring.
As a follower of Jesus I am called to proclaim the good news, to be a herald of the saving faith Jesus offers, the hope we can have in Him. This is done through the way we live and love others, but must also be done with words (sound). Do my actions and words declare the good news and give an accurate picture of the God of the Bible? Am I quick to confess my own sinfulness and need for a Savior? Am I pointing to the hope of Jesus alone for salvation? Am I pursuing spiritual conversations with others and sharing the gospel with them? Does our lifestyle, family dynamic and home leave space to invite others in? Are we loving other followers of Christ well, knowing we’re all a part of one Church? What message is my life proclaiming? What do I need to change to more clearly herald the good news of Jesus?
Just as our kids know the sound of the “Limon, limon, limon” guy, I hope that my life can be marked by the ever present proclamation of the gospel in word and deed.
“You who bring good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, ‘Here is your God!'” – Isaiah 40:9
“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!'” – Isaiah 52:7
“Give praise to the Lord, proclaim His name; make known among the nations what He has done. Sing to Him, sing praise to Him; tell of all His wonderful acts.” – Psalm 105:1-2
“The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ.” – 1 John 1:2-3
– Selina