When death claimed the Chief of the Red Belt Indians, he was replaced by a man named Agapo. This new Chief had been very impressed at the time they tried to mob the missionary because he himself had seen "the Light" with the others. The Governor solemnly advised the new Chief to take good care of the missionary and his wife, telling him the missionaries were there because they loved the Indians. He reminded the Chief that the missionaries had come from a far country, not to injure them, but to do them good and to tell them about the love of God.
One day the missionary saw Chief Agapo coming to visit them. He quickly went in the house to tell his wife, "Honey, hurry, here comes the new Chief all alone; get a cup of coffee, and some bread and quince jelly ready for him."
He invited Agapo in, and they sat opposite each other at the table. It was not long before the missionary told him about the Lord Jesus, of his love for and grace toward all men, and how He died to save sinners who believe on Him. At first Agapo didn't seem very interested. He sat silently, listening politely. Then the missionary got out his Bible and read John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16) in Quichua: "JANAJPACHA CHAI JINATAPUNI CAI P'ACHATA MUNACURKA C'ATA CHURINTA KORKA TUCUY JAKAI PAIPI CREEJ AMA HUANUNAMPAJ ANTES HUIRAY, CAUSAYNOIJ CANAMPAJ."
On hearing that, the Chief put his bread down, as if he were angry. The missionary didn't know just what to think or say. Then it dawned on him that the Indian was surprised at what he had just read because he had never understood that God loved him. This was the first time he had heard such a thought. The Indians viewed God as an angry God who displayed His anger in the trials, storms and accidents which happened in their lives. They did not think of Him as a loving God.
Agapo and the missionary became good friends. He came over often for the missionary to read the Scriptures to him from the New Testament which the missionary had given to him. Like most Indians in those days, he could not read.
Some time later Agapo became very ill. His last request was to ask his men to carry him down to the missionary and lay him under the tree where they had seen "the Light." The missionary and his wife came out to see what they could do for him. The missionary comforted him with the Word of God. He listened quietly, then smiled. Lifting up his right hand, which is a sign the Indians make when they want to say "ALL IS WELL!", he departed "to be with Christ; which is far better" (Phil. 1:2323For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: (Philippians 1:23)). Those of us who know Christ as our Savior shall some day see Chief Agapo in glory with Christ, a trophy of the grace of God.