We have lost a library, an Icon of Faith: Nini Ita Nengjom Kha-ah Yes, as you learnt a few days ago, our library of national and international reference was on fire, being consumed by the natural fires of life and love. This time, the fire was so strong that we could no longer hold her back, Love proved to be stronger than life: Nini Ita Nengjom, has passed to eternity. An old person who dies is a library that is lost forever. You probably know all too well this phrase here paraphrased. Those who have known Nini Ita would certainly have no doubts that this statement is more than true. In her case we have lost a library, a pharmacy, a restaurant, a conflict mediator, a shelter in times of storm, a fire brigade when others think all is lost, a discrete counselor, a discrete friend for whom each person is special and gives no room for competition. I will only throw light on a few aspects of Nini’s life and allow you to continue with the others. A library: she knew church history, family history, kom history and the the Cameroonian geo- politics from the kom perspective, from the kom fons, down to Foncha and Juah, just to name a few. Nini shocked me last two years with a striking revelation on church history only known to depth theologians. She asked me, ¿do you know the fault of Luther? (Meaning, Martin Luther, the protestant reformer). When I said, “ngang a Ni”. She said, “…Luther fled with only part of the book...”. How many of you understand that? Nini meant that, Martin Luther was right but did not read the whole bible well to get a balanced view, only clung to his part of the truth. The protestant reform can never be better explained. A pharmacy: Nini has never been to the hospital, never. She knew quite a good number of herbs that she used both for herself, her grand children, neighbors and the needy who came calling. Head ache, stomach ache, poison, snake bite, chicken pox, wounds, etc. whenever you came crying to Nini, she either got into one of her bags or went into the farm and brought you inmediate relief. In my last interview, I asked her if she has transmitted her healing powers to one of her descendants, she said many people had not been interested but spoke of an Aunt we have to contact, God knows I lost the video and her name. A Restaurant: No one, family or not, child, adult, man or woman ever got into Nini’s house and got out without something to bite. God alone knows how and where she got the things she had. Who is that person who visited Nini and does not know of the sweet alang a biweh? Who is that traveler who does not know of Ayans+ a Nini muloin, (the sugar cane of Nini)? Who is that missionary that came to Njinikom or Fuanantui and does know of Nini Itas eggs? A restaurant is a place where people restore their energies before continuing their journey. Nini was just that, she received you with a song and a dance (isangl+ n+ gh+… isanglii ni ghi ifve… ayungna kia ayunkia ayungna s+ bobo… etc), wiped the dust off you, gave food and water and stood on the hill and watched you go until you disappeared into the distance and she could no longer see you. A conflict mediator: those who lived near Nini, would testify that she never took sides with anybody, her overall concern was that there should be peace whatever the error and whoever was wrong. I cannot count but I know and can testify of one marriage that has been saved only by Nini’s constant interventions. Nini would speak to you as if you were the only person in the world and then when you were gone, she would rush to meet your enemy to speak to him as if no one but him counted in this matter and at the end everyone was happy to make peace. She hated all sorts of gossips. When I asked Nini what was the secret of her long life? She answered me, “…Samoh iyem”, my honesty. An honest and unstained life is the secret she said and went on to tell me how she used to avoid gossips. When she saw a friend or a neighbor who gossips approaching her house, hoping that she was in the house so that they could talk about other people, Nini would quickly take her farm basket put it at the entrance of her kitchen to the let the friend know she was preparing to go the farm even if she had no intention to go the farm that day and in that way she avoided and discouraged gossips and idle talk as she called it. We have lost a pilgrim. As Pope Benedict XVI was saying, “I am only a pilgrim who has come to the final stage of his pilgrimage...” Yes, we have lost a true pilgrim; from Fuanantui to Njinikom on a weekly bases, to Bamenda and to Kumbo on a monthly bases, (first Fridays of every month, sacred heart), but never in a car, always on foot. Kilometers upon kilometers on foot, climbing hills and descending valleys only to give advice, prevent or mediate in an imminent conflict. We have lost one of the last ocular witnesses of the first evangelization of Cameroon, of the ecclesiastical province of Bamenda, one of the first Christians of this land; one of the last of our Mathuselams; no one actually knew how old nini was; she had a baptism card saying she was baptized as an adult in 1916. How adult was she then, 10, 12, 15 years old? it still remains a mystery but from her own stories we know she trekked to Shishong where she was baptized together with would be husband Ferdinand Munteh, on the same day, 13th of August and received Holy communion three days later, the 15th , Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Nini preached the Gospel with her life. She is telling us today, I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith, and all I am waiting for now is the crown of Glory that my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has reserved for me but not only for me but also for all who love Him. This is our heritage; it is our turn to carry the banner and flame of faith to the next generations. Jude Thaddeus Vigah King