Cherished Memories of Africa — Page 264
246 terminal. Weather was very hot and there was no way to escape its severity. Many vehicles from Casamance region of Senegal (in the south) cross the river to go to other towns of Senegal (in the north). Thereby, an extraordinary traffic usually builds up there. Consequently we had to wait there for a few hours. Severity of heat, clothes drenched in sweat and thirst made it very difficult to pass that time. We were used to such situation but the condition of the visitors was quite worrying. Eventually the ferry did arrive and we crossed the river. The track ahead was very bad and had deteriorated further because of the rainy season. It was studded with potholes filled with rain water. That created diverse problems for the driver and the passengers. We had not gone far when the car suddenly stopped. I tried to start it my way but it did not move. They say ‘only a mother will understand what her dumb son says’. I was familiar with my car’s ailments to some extent. I thought that its petrol was blocked. I removed the petrol pipe and brought it close to my mouth. Doctor Sahib was watching all that. He got worried and advised me not to do that as it was very dangerous. However, for all of our muballighs it was a routine procedure because when the vehicles breakdown in the middle of jungles we hit upon different ideas and procedures. I inhaled forcefully though the pipe, the petrol blockage was removed and the car moved. I had to repeat that drama several times during the journey as the car kept stopping repeatedly and there was no mechanic on that route. Anyway, we visited many jama’ats on the way to our destination – Farafenni. We had several other experiences of similar nature which were strange for Doctor Sahib and showed Divine support.