It has been many years ago now since we pitched camp near a river where there was a group of villages. We wanted to bring the good news of salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ to these Africans, some of whom probably never had heard of His great love.
The caravan was rather large. Many things had to be taken with us. In those days there were no stores along the roads. Food for a three-week trip plus tents, folding cots, chairs and a table had to be carried on the shoulders of men.
After the tents were pitched and before it got dark, the carriers went into the forest to find wood to build a fire for the people to sit around. Each man brought a long log and then piled it on top of others until the pile of wood was three or four feet high. What a big fire it made!
Messengers were sent to the villages inviting the people to come hear words read from God’s Book. When they would see the flames of fire (which could be seen a long way off) they were to come to a meeting.
The dry logs soon burned down to bright red ashes. It was an interesting sight to see the people come. The men came with a blanket draped over one shoulder, the women carried babies on their backs, and children ran happily beside them. While waiting for the meeting to begin, little girls sat close to the missionary, chattering about lots of things. They liked also to peek into the tent to see how we sat on chairs, not on the ground.
When all were seated on the ground around the ashes, the head man of the caravan, who also was the evangelist, stood up, started a well-known hymn, prayed and read a chapter from the book of Mark. (Mark was the only part of the Bible translated into their language at that time.) He spoke faithfully to the people about the love of God in sending the Lord Jesus Christ into this world to die for sinners. On the cross He was punished for the sins of all who would accept Him as their Saviour. The evangelist explained that each of them was a sinner and that without Christ they would not go to heaven.
There did not seem to be much response at the meeting. But what a surprise awaited us the next morning when a young boy came to the tent door. Greeting us by clapping his hands together and the usual “mutende” (peace), he said he wanted to believe. He had not been able to come to the evening meeting, so came in the morning. His name was Shimbi. He not only wanted to accept the Lord Jesus as his Saviour, but wanted to attend the boys’ school on the mission station so he could learn to read. He wanted to read God’s Book.
When school opened he was there. He was a bright pupil and told others in the village about the Lord Jesus. His sister came to the mission station saying she also wanted to believe. She said, “Shimbi has believed, and I do not want to be left out.”
Have you accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour? There is still time, but the opportunity will soon be past. Don’t wait any longer. The Lord Jesus loves you and wants you to be saved right now. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:3131And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31).
ML-07/31/1994