The Chief of Shashe

My national helper, John, has a favorite verse that he is constantly quoting: "Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord" (Zechariah 4:6). Here is how we are seeing God's Spirit at work:Last Thursday John and I went into the village of Shashe to visit the chief to get his approval of wanting to come to share God's word. The chief said, "We cannot refuse God's word. You are welcome to come." There was a lady setting next to the chief. She leaned forward and said "You can come preach God's word in the school. I am the Headmaster!" After we left the chief we made two visits. One was to an older man and his wife, RraMaja & MmaMaja. They listended to our message. John interprets for me. He asked us to visit his son who lives near by. We then went to try to find the son's house but we could not. But we stopped when we saw an older lady. She invited us into her home. She and her older sister (MmaBosele & MmaKoba) live there. We shared God's word with them and gave them notebooks, gospel of John booklet, and pens to copy the gospel of John. Today we went back to Shashe to follow up on these ladies. They have started to copy the gospel of John. They had great insight. MmaBosele said, "Just like Andrew, the younger brother of Peter, brought Peter to Jesus, my younger sister invited you into our home last week and she brought me to Jesus through you." Wow! Marvelous insight!After this visit John said, "Let's give a Bible to the chief." We went back to the Kgotla (place where the chief has his office). Kgosi (the chief) was sitting alone in a area where they conduct public meetings. We walked up to where he was and sat on a bench in front of him. John told him that we wanted to give him a Bible as a gift. I gave it to him. He took it and as he held it, what he said next brought tears to my eyes....With great passion he said, "Ke al leboga, Thata! Thata! Thata!" (Thank you Very much! Very much! Very much!). Oh how I wish that I would always have this kind of passion, awe and respect of God's word. Sometimes I take God's word for granted. I forget who the Author of the Bible is. I get so wrapped up in daily activities and responsibilities that I am so focused on the stresses of life that I forget that God is still in charge and that my life needs to be an ongoing lifestyle of worship to my Savior. The way that Kgosi said "Thata" melted my heart. The way he held that Bible was like it was a priceless piece of art (which it is!). As we left I looked back and saw that Kgosi was reading his new Bible. It was so humbling to experience this. "Lord Jesus, forgive me when I take you for granted. Give me a continuing hunger and thirst for Your word that I may stay close to You, for without You I will fall to all kinds of temptations and make decisions that do not honor You." Amen!