Chased with a Machete!

...From tragedy to friendship...

Danny was only 23. Born with a heart condition his body was not as strong as the other boys, but he desperately wanted to be a part of Jungle Ministry. He wanted to share Jesus with others and he begged to be allowed. Finally we decided to let him come along. We headed out over the mountains, and hours later we were still hiking though hard terrain. Despite his setbacks Danny was hanging in there just fine, but it was relief for all of us when the village of Tamboko came into view. As we approached we wondered if we would be welcome. Would it be safe to enter? Would the villagers be happy to see us, or angry? With trepidation we prayed together and sent our scout ahead to make sure the coast was clear. He soon returned with a message from the chief that indeed we were welcome. Cheering on the inside we walked into Tamboko, with smiling faces and light step. As our custom was we divided into groups and spread out across the village to give small care packages to every family; food, kitchen utensils and a Bible. Our group was having a wonderful time, praying with people, enjoying watching their faces light up with our gifts and medicine. But across the other side of the village things were not going so well. Danny's group were in the home of one particular man and were presenting some Bible passages to him. Hearing mention of "Sabbath" the man became very angry. In a rage he pulled out a long bush knife, and told them to leave! They did. Very quickly! For their lives! Safely out of reach our team regrouped and left for home.

But this was not the end of the story for Danny.

Just one month later we were back in Tamboko, convicted that we should return to see this angry man. I took only 8 boys; seniors boys who can preach, sing, and teach the Bible. I also chose them because they have a good sense of humour, and can walk faster and stronger than most. We had prayed for almost 2 weeks together at our church and with our families. As the week of departure loomed we held a camp at our church to pray and to fast. And then, taking a deep breath, we left. It was late Friday afternoon when we arrived at the Tamboko village, but we went straight to this man's home. I told everyone to remain behind as I confronted him alone. Approaching his home I called out to him, but he would not come out to meet me, instead he sent a messenger to ask why we had come. This would never do, I needed to talk to him in person, so I walked into his yard with the messenger on my heels. As expected, he was most unhappy to see me. "But we are here to visit you with gifts," I told him. He was still unimpressed. He told us we could camp the night but we must leave in the morning. With a heavy heart I returned to the boys with the news. We lay there that night, looking up into the night sky, wondering why we had come all this way, for nothing. You see this was not the end of the story for my little cousin Danny. He was not afraid on that scary day. Instead he was sad that we had to leave, sad that we could not stay longer and share Jesus with more people. But he never made it on this hike. The damage had been done last time. Sleeping wet, without a tent or cover, in the rain had taken its toll on his heart and his health. He didn't want it to stop him being a part of Jungle Ministry, he didn't want to let it become an excuse not to minister to others. The weather had made everybody else sick too, and nobody was going to give up, least of all Danny. But not long after returning to Honiara he had been laid to rest. Our Jungle team had carried his casket. We had hoped that his death would not be in vain, but it seemed we would find no comfort for his loss. Sabbath morning we packed our gear and were solemnly about to leave when our enemy came running toward us, "Please don't leave! Please stay!" What?! We were amazed! What was this? What had God done?! Before we left that day this once angry man had poured out his heart to us. Apologising over and over and thanking us so much for visiting him. He begged us to return. He was once an enemy, but by the end of the day he was a dear friend, eager to hear what God says in His Word. His name is Francis. He is the man pictured in the orange shirt below. We must visit him again.

My cousin Danny's life was not in vain. He and his group had sown the first seeds of truth in Francis' mind. That gloomy night God had watered those seeds and the next morning they had begun to grow. I trust that one day Danny and Francis will also be friends; in a better place. Danny's heart may have been physically weak, but it was strong with passion for the gospel to go to every tongue, nation and people. We miss him. We will continue in our Jungle Ministry and let his memory spur us on to fulfilling the Great Commission.

Please partner with us to reach more people like Francis with the Good News of Jesus love!