"I would like to buy a Bible!"
Mr. Wilson looked at the tall smiling African standing before him. "But, Sakaya, you cannot read. What good will a Bible be to you?"
Sakaya looked slightly daunted, but insisted that he would like a copy of the New Testament in his own language. It was true that he could not read, but in his heart was a deep love for the Author of this Book, and he greatly desired a copy of it.
"I'm sorry to disappoint you," Mr. Wilson said, "but I have only a very few copies left, and I cannot say when I will be able to get more. I feel I must keep these for those who can read, that they may be put to the very best use."
The next day Sakaya was back with another request. "Do you have a load that needs to be carried?"
"Yes, I do," was the reply. "I have a sixty pound load of window glass down at the coast. Would you like to get it for me? I have a load you may carry down also."
The next morning Sakaya was off on his three hundred mile walk to the coast with a load upon his head, and a boy swinging along at his side, carrying food and a few necessities for the long trip.
A month later Mr. Wilson looked out of his window to see Sakaya smiling broadly, sweat glistening on his black skin as he stood stripped to the waist, with the load of window glass on his head.
As the missionary hurried out to greet him the African carefully placed his load on the ground and then, clapped his hands.
"Moyo mwane!" Sakaya gave his respectful greeting, and clapped his hands again.
Mr. Wilson clapped his hands, replying, "Moyo mwata!" (Greetings, older brother!) and clapped his hands. "What is your gossip, Sakaya?"
With pleasure Sakaya settled down to give Mr. Wilson in detail the news of his six hundred mile journey on foot, to the coast and back, and the missionary listened with interest. Finishing at last, Sakaya asked Mr. Wilson politely, "And what is your gossip?"
So in turn Mr. Wilson reported the happenings of the month while Sakaya had been away. Then rising he said, "Come into the house now, Sakaya, and I will pay you for the load."
In the house he turned to Sakaya, "What would you like, money, or cloth?"
Sakaya hesitated. "Will you give me whatever I want?" he asked.
As this is the custom, Mr. Wilson answered, "Certainly, you may have whatever you wish. Will it be money or cloth?"
Again Sakaya asked, "May I really have whatever I want?"
"Yes, you may have whatever you want, cloth? or money?"
But once again Sakaya asked, "May I REALLY have whatever I want?"
And again, patiently, the missionary repeated his assurance that he could have whatever he wanted.
"If I may have what I really want, I would like a New Testament," Sakaya answered simply.
Sakaya was a familiar sight after that, sitting in a shady spot with his New Testament in his hand, a big black finger pointing out the words as he slowly, laboriously spelled out the precious words he was learning to read.
A six hundred mile walk in the heat of the African sun, carrying a heavy load upon his head, had been a small price to pay for the Treasure of God's Word for this black Christian who loved his Lord!
Great King David said long ago, "More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold..."