On our last day of ministry, Tom, Ortha, our translators, Pastor Thaddeus, and I went to a village that was very far from our camp. We drove about an hour and 45 minutes from camp on rough roads and then walked about 15 minutes to a school. After talking to the headmaster and the staff, we were invited to talk to two classrooms (each of over 100) about Christ. Tom and I tag-teamed it...I shared the reason we were there, he told the story of creation using the kids as characters in the story, I shared the gospel using the cube, he prayed the prayer with those who raised their hands and wanted to accept Christ as their Lord and Savior. I trained kids in the evangecube and gave ones away to those who could recite it back to me, and he told the story of the possessed man who Jesus freed (again using kids as characters). Many of the kids put their faith in Christ.
Then, we went to the houses just up on the hill behind the school. I started sharing with a family, but they interrupted to tell me that they did not want to hear about Jesus. I asked if I could pray with them; they said no. So we left, and I prayed for them silently as we walked away. Then, we walked for a long time. It was gorgeous. Hills of yellow and purple and green. Grayish blue sky. Slight breeze. Small trails through the tall flowers and grasses. Then, we walked past the school and back to the car.
From there we drove to where three of our team members (Keith, Kala, and Beth) spent the night. They stayed with their village, sleeping in tents on the side of a hill, because of the long drive each day it was taking them to get there. When we met up with them, Beth introduced me to Luca, his brother, and his cousin. And then she told me this story...
Beth and Kala went to Luca's home on the first day of ministry in that village. They were surprised when they began sharing with him and discovered that he could speak English very well. They told him about Jesus in English, and he immediately wanted to put his faith in Christ. He became their translator for the next three days, as it was easier to share with people directly from English to Maasai (instead of having the in between Swahili translation).
When Keith and Beth and Kala decided to camp out near these villages, they wanted to invite Luca, hi brother, and his cousin to stay with them in another tent. Luca's village was over a large hill from the place they had chosen to camp for the night, and they thought it would be easier for Luca to stay the night instead of traveling such a long distance the next day to translate for them. But a couple of the leaders from the church in the area were quick to say "no" to this idea. They told the team that Luca was a thief, and that they were sure he would clean them out of everything they had brought to the campsite. The team did not propose the idea to Luca.
The next day after sharing the gospel with another village, Beth and Kala turned around to see Luca, his brother, and his cousin. They arrived around 2:00pm and had been walking since 8:00am that morning. Again, one of the church leaders approached Keith and told him that this village, where they stayed the night, was one from which Luca had stolen. Keith rushed to Beth and Kala and had to tell them that if something big happened, like a fight, they should just stand away and not interfere.
Forgiveness is not a concept for the Maasai. The punishment for thieves is death. There is no other option.
Beth and Kala were nervous but tried not to show it. No one knew what was going to happen.
It was about this time that my team arrived for lunch. Beth and Kala shared with me what was going on. Kala, Tom, Ortha, and I walked away to take some pictures on top of a nearby hill. When we returned, Beth had joyous news to share with us!
The head of the village, who also had recently become a Christian, walked up to Luca and stuck out his hand. Instead of giving him what he deserved, he was welcoming him to the village! They exchanged a few words, and the leader forgave Luca. Can you believe it?
And that's not the end! After that happened, the church leaders who had prohibited Luca from camping for fear he would steal something, also walked up to Luca and asked his forgiveness for assuming he would steal. He forgave them, telling them that he had changed because of Jesus. He will never steal again.
Praise God for His grace! Praise God for His forgiveness!
Love in Gracious God!
No comments:
Post a Comment