A missionary in Africa saw a native coming towards him whom he had never seen before. The man was leading a goat. The missionary could tell that he had been walking a long time. Tying the goat to a tree, he came over to the missionary. He asked, “Has God’s Book arrived in our country?”
Without answering his question the missionary asked, “Do you know about God’s Book?”
“Oh, yes,” answered the native. “My son brought me pieces of paper. On them are some of God’s words and I have learned them.” Then he quoted John 3:16. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
The native went on to explain that he had walked for five days to find God’s Book. The goat was to pay for the book, he said.
The missionary showed him a Bible. It was printed in his own language. He showed him where John 3:16 was written.
“Let me buy the book,” begged the native.
“You may have it for nothing,” said the missionary handing the Bible to him.
The native pressed the Bible against his heart. Walking back and forth he repeated over and over again, “God’s Book! God’s Book! He has spoken to us. Oh, how I love God’s Book.”
ML-03/28/1982