The aging helicopter plunged forward into the forbidden territory of the Bodi, the last and most feared people group unreached in the Omo River valley of southwestern Ethiopia.
The pilot sensed the critical necessity of choosing the right touchdown site since chopper blades generate enough wind to terrify the populous and destroy huts. Bodi men murdered one of the two men in the last attempt to reach them with the gospel. This time, a mechanical roaring monster descended from the sky in a choking cloud of dust.
As the dust settled, the three sky travelers tensed, expecting naked men to appear with strapped-on Kalashnikov rifles. But something differed this time. The village’s men came closer, and a great crowd of women and children followed. They halted as a white language speaker emerged from the dissipating dust cloud—empty hands held high as a sign of peace, offering traditional tribal greetings. He added good news about the great Creator who understood their sufferings. He had sent medicine and blessings. No weapons were in sight as the other two from the helicopter followed the linguist toward the crowd. The visitors had gifts and razor blades, which the Bodi greatly prized as grooming aides.
An older man led the approaching crowd toward the landing site as the three white men waited. The linguist repeated greetings as the other two prayed silently, believing at last that the time had come for the Bodi to receive the light of the gospel.
Suddenly, the crowd leader broke the silence, “Yes, yes, we know about the Creator God, but who is Kristosi?”
“Who told you about Kristosi?” asked the startled linguist.
The old leader continued, “Five nights ago, I was asleep in my hut when a bright light woke me up. A voice said, ‘I am Kristosi. In five days, men will come from the sky and tell you what I’ve done for the Bodi.’ The light was too brilliant for me to see his face, but I could understand the words. So, we’ve been waiting for you. Tell us, please, who is Kristosi.”
Jesus promised to be with those who risk everything to proclaim the gospel, just as in days of old. Will you be faithful to proclaim Kristosi wherever you are?
(Photo courtesy of pixabay and JacksonDavid.)
(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)
Kent Martin is a writer.