On a bright sunny day in Kaondand, Shimbi appeared at the missionary’s tent door in a new white shirt. He had been to the copper-mine store and bought a few things for himself. Seated cross-legged on the ground and clapping his hands together, he waited to talk to the missionary. His greeting was the usual “Mutende” (Peace to you).
What did Shimbi want? Was it a little gift? The white people brought so many things from their country to give as gifts. No, he didn’t ask for a present. All he said was, “Na saka kwitaba” (I want to believe). He had heard of the Great God who loves everyone—who sent His Son to die on a cruel cross to save people from their sins.
It was a real pleasure to tell him about the blessed Saviour. The Christians in our caravan told him about the love of the Lord Jesus and how He died for Shimbi.
Shimbi believed the words that were spoken to him, and he accepted the Lord as his Saviour. Then he said, “I want to go to the mission school to learn to read so that I can read the Word of God for myself. May I come?”
The reply was, “Yes, if your father is willing.” So off he went to get his father.
“Will you allow your son to attend school at the mission station?” his father was asked.
The answer was, “If he wants to go to learn, that is up to him.”
The question now was, how would Shimbi know when it was time to start on the journey through the dangerous forest to the mission station? He was told how many moons would pass before school opened. That did not satisfy him. Going to his hut he reached up in the thatched roof for a pencil and piece of paper which he had hidden there. He made a mark on the paper for each day until it was time to start for the school. Each day he would scratch off a mark. When only a few marks remained he knew it would be time to go. He was sure there would be some men going in that direction for work. He would walk with them through the forest.
A short time later, after saying good-by to Shimbi, our caravan returned to Musonweji where we lived. As we got ready for the school term we wondered if Shimbi would really come. We were not disappointed.
What a bright pupil Shimbi was! He had come to learn. When the school term ended he was able to read fairly well. He had learned truths from God’s precious Book. At that time the Gospel of Mark was the only book translated into the Kaonde language.
Vacation time came. The school boys tied up their few belongings ready to return to their own villages. Shimbi said he was going to read to his neighbors from the Gospel of Mark and tell them what he had learned about the Lord Jesus. He said good-bye. He planned to come again for the next school term.
He kept his promise and returned, but with a sad face as he told how his neighbors were not willing to listen to him. They were content with the Kaonde religion. They did not want the white man’s religion. However, there were some in the village who had been watching Shimbi and saw how his life was changed.
One person who was watching Shimbi was his sister. She came to visit the mission station to learn about the Lord Jesus Christ. She exclaimed, “Shimbi has believed, and I don’t want to be left out!” While waiting for Shimbi to finish the school term, she came to stay with us for several days so she could hear more about the Lord Jesus and the wonderful things He did. She listened closely to the wonders of creation and how He was punished for our sins on Calvary’s cross. Then each day she would repeat what she had heard the day before. She accepted the Lord as her Saviour by “entering in through the Door.” As the Lord says in John 10:99I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. (John 10:9), “I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved....”
Shimbi and his sister returned to their village and told others about their Saviour. Their changed lives and God’s Word were used to bring others in their village to the Lord Jesus. Won’t you accept Him as your Saviour? “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:1717Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17).
ML-12/21/1980