African Dignitaries

I never liked the spotlight. When I started traveling to Africa I was frequently met by large delegations of people who were singing songs of welcome to the missionary. I was concerned that they had spent their hard-earned money to travel miles on a bus, some buying food, others going without, just so they could meet their "Field Director". They would pay large amounts of money to have a huge banner painted especially for the occasion...which many times was used just for one day. I discouraged them from doing this often. I tried not to offend them but fear that some of them mis-understood my aim. Yet it pained me so much to see them spending their funds in that manner. To them it was an expression of love and appreciation.

Sometimes our African leaders wanted to have me meet high-ranking government officials. I was never comfortable meeting them. Yet, it came with my job. I've met Kings and Queens and Princes and Princesses and Presidents in many different places in Africa. It seems that there are so many of them it would be almost impossible NOT to meet at least one, even if you went for only a short visit. I've met some who were attempting to use their birth to some special family for monetary gain. I'm sure they have tricked some into believing they were more important than they actually were. I was introduced to a Vice President and invited to have "tea" with him. I sat about three chairs behind and to the right of Mr. Frederick J. Chiluba when he was President of Zambia. We spent a very pleasant time in church with the man. He impressed me as an honest and down-to-earth leader. We went on an inspection tour of some properties he had contributed funds towards, the Edwin King School, in Lusaka Zambia.

The bottom line - when we get to church - or the work of the church, it is my view that it does not matter what title we hold among the societies of men. What matters is "Do we know God? Do we have faith in God?" You see, "Without faith it is impossible to please God." That's why I was so pleased to hear the remarks of this President about all people who come to a place of worship and who believe in God must all bow to the same God.

Hope you enjoy the video.