Semi-Autonomous Region, SW China
DAY FOUR
July 15, 2004
The jungle. It's hot. Hard to think straight. The team and I are a sweaty mess. It's been a couple of days since the last posting. Some interesting developments have taken place. Too many write.
Yesterday, we saw what appeared to be a tribal arrest and distribution of justice. A woman who appeared to be in her late 40s, whom we had come to know a bit, was taken in the middle of the night. She was known as the village bean-supplier. But evidentally a much younger woman had been prepared to take over her job. What crime she committed is not known, and her exact whereabouts is still a mystery. Though I know not the system of law among this heathen people, I do know by the terrified look in her eyes that some grave injustice had been committed. She is innocent. With tears rolling down her cheek, she silently stared at me as they took her away. And the entire community gathered in somber attention to see her carried out of the village, locked in a bamboo cage.
A curious and disturbing event indeed; tonight our team will forge our way into the jungle in hopes of tracing their steps and discovering the fate of the innocent-eyed bean lady.
And in the morning, we hope to begin our first presentation of the gospel. We have now gained the trust of the village elders, we believe, enough to bring the life-changing message of Jesus. How these people, like me only a few short years ago, need their darkened hearts awakened.
Indeed, it is hot. Time to eat some stew that is freshly prepared. Hot stew on a hot day. Doesn't get much sweatier than this.
Yesterday, we saw what appeared to be a tribal arrest and distribution of justice. A woman who appeared to be in her late 40s, whom we had come to know a bit, was taken in the middle of the night. She was known as the village bean-supplier. But evidentally a much younger woman had been prepared to take over her job. What crime she committed is not known, and her exact whereabouts is still a mystery. Though I know not the system of law among this heathen people, I do know by the terrified look in her eyes that some grave injustice had been committed. She is innocent. With tears rolling down her cheek, she silently stared at me as they took her away. And the entire community gathered in somber attention to see her carried out of the village, locked in a bamboo cage.
A curious and disturbing event indeed; tonight our team will forge our way into the jungle in hopes of tracing their steps and discovering the fate of the innocent-eyed bean lady.
And in the morning, we hope to begin our first presentation of the gospel. We have now gained the trust of the village elders, we believe, enough to bring the life-changing message of Jesus. How these people, like me only a few short years ago, need their darkened hearts awakened.
Indeed, it is hot. Time to eat some stew that is freshly prepared. Hot stew on a hot day. Doesn't get much sweatier than this.
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