God Got Their Attention

These two stories come from one church in our area that has a mix of Maasai and some other people groups.  The pastor related these 2 separate incidents that occurred within the last month.

Story # 1

A man riding his bicycle passed by this particular church every Sunday.  The pastor and members invited him to the worship time consistently.  His response was always "I have to go work in my shamba - shahm baa (garden) and work on the fereji - feh reh gee (irrigation ditch) which brings water into my shamba. I am expecting a large crop and need to work instead of coming to church".

This scenario was repeated for several months.  Then one day, the pastor received a cell phone call from this gentleman.  He was in a panic.   Some other Tanzanians had bought the property adjoining his shamba.  One planted a large crop and the other built a house.  Both of these men had diverted the fereji so that the water could be used only by them.

His anticipated "large yield" from his four acre shamba would now only produce about 1 bushel of corn.

The pastor prayed for him and invited him to the worship service the next Sunday.

The hard working farmer who had put his work, shamba, and fereji before God was there Sunday morning.


Story # 2

This same pastor and church members had been inviting a woman to attended their worship time for serveral months.  She refused their invitations saying that "she had to tend to her goats and no one could tend them like she could so she could not leave them".

This continued for several weeks.

Then one Sunday morning, this lady came to the worship time.  When a time for testimonies was opened up for the members to share, this goat herder was the first to speak.  She related her story that one day as she was watching her goats, one of them stood straight up from grazing, stopped eating, and then fell over dead.  This scene was repeated several times in the next few minutes.  None of the animals were sick or had eaten anything toxic.   She then cried out to God, asking her to forgive her for neglecting Him and His church and promised to be at worship the next Sunday.  She followed through on her promise and was there to share her story.  She said that she would not miss another Sunday barring any unforeseen circumstances.

God works in unique ways and in unique circumstances to get our attention and show us what is really important in life -- a relationship with Him in worship and service.

What is God doing in your life?
Any of your "ferejis" been diverted or blocked off lately?
Any of your "goats" mysteriously died in recent days?