lenten journey, day 11 — a prayer for the san bushmen

It’s not often that a missionary’s life is saved by the very people he has come to serve before he even has the chance to introduce himself. But check this story out:

A century ago, missionary Frederick Arnot was traveling through the Kalahari Desert in Botswana when he and his African guides became severely dehydrated. They found their way to a water hole, but discovered it to be completely dry. They collapsed and surely would have died. But a group of San Bushmen, who had seen them from a distance, ran to the water hole and began to dig furiously. One of the bushmen stuck a long reed into the hole and sucked on it until water came out. For six hours the bushmen worked to revive each member of the missionary group. Then, they left as silently as they had come.

In those days, the San Bushmen were hunted like animals by other tribes in the Kalahari who wanted their land. Despite this cruelty, the San still saved the lives of strangers. Today, the San have mostly abandoned the nomadic lifestyle and live on farms or in towns. They are very fearful of the spirit world that they believe surrounds and controls their lives.

With their sad history, fearful lives, and kind-hearted ways, the San would probably respond strongly to the love and salvation of Jesus. Praise God that there is an organization called Language Recordings that has put Bible messages on tape in some of the San’s 30 click-sound dialects!

Father, thank you that you have blessed the San people with good samaritan hearts. By your grace, they are a kind people who have not succumbed to the bitterness that often accompanies hardship and fear. Lord, would you look with favor on your San children? Would you set them free from fear of the spirit world? Send missionaries to live among them, love them and teach them about Jesus, whose kindness surpasses all. I must confess that I often think only Christians can be truly “good,” but you have shown me through the story of the San that you are the author of kindness and you will give it through whomever you choose. Lord, open my eyes to those around me whose gentle spirits and kind ways might make them especially glad to hear the good news of Jesus. Yes, and amen.

”…say to those with fearful hearts,
‘Be strong, do not fear; your God will come,
he will come with vengeance;
with divine retribution
he will come to save you.’
Then will the eyes of the blind be opened
and the ears of the deaf unstopped.” —Isaiah 35:4-5

“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’” — Matthew 25:40