Where it Hurts to be a Christian
by Alan R. Wolcott
John has returned to the mission station where he and his wife worked prior to the “revolution.” It has been 6 months, and he is the first missionary to return. News has been spotty, he is having supper with a colleague. Food seems to be plentiful but furnishings are scarce...
- John:
- Mateso, as we drove along we saw some people. No one looked too hungry, but we didn’t see the variety of goods on the way to market that were common 6 months ago.
- Mateso:
- Rains have been plentiful, which would have ruined the roads if there had been any traffic up this way. But the soldiers kept nearly everyone off. So, though our gardens grew, there hasn’t been anything coming across the border until this past couple weeks—when you got permission to come in. In fact, Bwana, I was only able to get this tea (holds up cup) last week. There hasn’t been any for 3 months.
- John:
- (Noticing the cup). Say, isn’t that also one of Susie’s cups?
- Mateso:
- (Sadly) Yes, John. It’s one of the 3-4 we were able to save. Most of your stuff has disappeared or was smashed on the floor of your house. We’ve taken out what looked still usable, but when the soldiers came through they helped themselves to whatever wasn’t fastened down...Sorry. We can go over there tomorrow morning.
- John:
- I suppose most of the Peterson’s stuff is gone, too.
- Mateso:
- Yes. They also broke into the storage container. When they didn’t find the key to the lock in your desk they came over here. I told them I thought you probably took it with you. That made them mad!
- John:
- What did they do?
- Mateso:
- It gave them an excuse to use force...I was roughed up, a little. Then they broke the lock off and took whatever they wanted.
- John:
- I’m, ... I’m sorry, my friend. I should have left the key. Were you hurt?
- Mateso:
- Well, the gun butts are hard...my eye was nearly closed with swelling for several days. (Touches his face) But it was nothing compared with what they did later. I’ve been waiting for Yeremia to come to tell you ...
- John:
- Yeremia! It will be good to see him. Is there also news of Luka?
- Mateso:
- He was with us during our troubles, ...but he has returned to his village. His heart was injured and has not yet recovered.
- John:
- His heart? How could you tell?
- Mateso:
- Not his physical heart, John. He was hurt spiritually by our suffering. I think the taunting went down deep and he...(Breaks off as Yeremia hobbles heavily in using a walking stick/cane and settles into an open chair. John stands and assists) Welcome, brother. We have been expecting you. Would you like tea?
- Yeremia:
- Yes, thank you, Mateso. (Turning to John and extending a hand) Welcome home, John.
- John:
- Thank you, brother. We (motioning toward Mateso) have been speaking of your troubles. I’m sorry. We were praying, and praying, and praying...
- Yeremia:
- We are certain you were heard. Without your intercession we would probably have died. For several days we expected death...but God spared us.
- John:
- What happened?
- Mateso:
- The soldiers came back. They gathered the “foreign sympathizers”. Since we are your friends we were taken. Most of the rest of the people were simply scolded and released. Because Luka, Yeremia and I are pastors, we were chosen also for “re-education.” First they took us in and mocked us...
- Yeremia:
- The soldiers’ Captain wanted to know, “Where are your friends, now? Why does their God not help you? What kind of friends are they who run away at the first sign of trouble? Why do you stick up for them? Why should you, an African, worship a white man’s God? What has this Jesus ever done for you?” He had hundreds of questions like that.
- Mateso:
- Yes. He was worse after he had drunk a few beers...I think it was the questions that injured Luka, most. Do you agree, Yeremia?
- Yeremia:
- Perhaps. The beatings and the fact that God did not immediately stop the blows may also have hurt him inside...I know that as I lay there those nights I could think only one thought, “God, where are you?”
- John:
- My friends! I, we did not know.
- Mateso:
- John, we were beaten with rods from the bottom of our feet to the top of our heads, twice. They threw the three of us into a room and left us, presumably to die. We lay in our blood for two days. Finally, Father Pierre, the priest from Adja, was able to get us released and cared for. Mostly we have recovered.
- Yeremia:
- I still limp (waves his cane) and we both have aches. But Luka’s pain went deeper. We think maybe he now wonders if God cares. Perhaps he doubts the power of Jesus to save, heal and protect? John, would you have time to go with us to see him, and pray?
- John:
- Yes, it’s the least I can do. I am humbled by your faithfulness and your wounds.
- Mateso:
- Look at the scars on our arms and back, brother. When you go to America you can explain what it really means to “bear in your body the marks of Jesus” as Paul. These scars have made our preaching more powerful, John.
- Yeremia:
- And my limp reminds me often of you. I remember your message of several years ago. Do you remember? You quoted an American Bible teacher who had said, “All God’s great men have limped their way to heaven.” Now I know...
- John:
- (Grieving) And so do I....and so do I.
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