Forgotten people

By Will Stuart

She peeks around the broad frame of her grandfather, snatching glances at strangers come to visit. Shy, she edges away, disappears, then — back against the wall — takes courage and slides along it until her hands rest on the blue chair and she is out in the open.

She keeps a distance. I smile and photograph her. No response. I smile again, turn the camera so she can see her image and motion for her to come look. Still no response. I turn back to the conversation and listen as her grandfather, the chief, tells the story of his people.

It is a familiar story. An indigenous people pushed to the margins by immigrants. Watching forest transformed into pasture and cultivated fields — and the animals disappear.

Finally losing their land. Blending into the dominant culture. Taking names in a language not their own. Forgetting their own language.

Then fighting back. Gaining recognition. Regaining some of the land. Proudly working it. Allowing the forest — and its animals — to return.

It has been a struggle.

It is a story that can be repeated among people after people, on continent after continent. These are the forgotten. The unengaged. The unreached.

Their story — the story of 3,800 unengaged, unreached people groups across the globe — is not just one of struggle. It is also one of lack of opportunity. None has heard the Gospel of Christ.

I think about that as this grandfather — and chief — tells their story. What will it take to tell the greatest story here? There are so many barriers: language, culture, race, geography, history, suspicion. Then I think of the Gospel story and how, under the warmth of relationship and the willingness to enter into other people’s stories, those
barriers can melt.

There is a shadow across my lap. The granddaughter is standing beside me. I turn the camera for her to see. She leans against my leg, places her hands on my thigh and stretches to look. She smiles, reaches up and strokes my beard.

“Look at her,” says her grandfather. “She never touches anyone. Not even me! She’s all over you! You must have the same blood.”

We all have the same blood, I think, no matter how different we look.

3 Comments » Permanent Link: Forgotten people

Tags: Americas

Comments: Please share your thoughts and prayers

3 Responses to “Forgotten people”

1. Posted by Susan Goodgame, September 21st, 2011

First, Glory to our great God. I am blessed by His work in advance of the visitors to protect them and then by His response seen in the tribe’s welcome. Blessings and Bravo to the courage they showed, the confidence in Him, not in themselves or in their words. All nations will call Him Lord. Take heart, take courage, be faithful.

2. Posted by Jim Washburn, October 19th, 2011

Praise the Lord; He works in mysterious ways. My family has seen examples of how God works when we respond to His directions. This story reminds me of the responses Asians in Korea, Japan and China have exhibited to a child’s blond hair. Our two daughters had their hair stroked many times in Korea and Japan and now one daughter’s young girls are experiencing the same reaction in China. One generation after another can open doors just by the way they look. Please pray for our daughter and her husband to respond to the questions they get from those Chinese who have touched our granddaughter’s blond hair. Pray that the questions will center around why this family is there teaching English. Thanks for praying.

3. Posted by Alejandra, October 22nd, 2011

God bless you!!!