Hunger

Hunger - Webster's New World Dictionary gives this definition: 1. the discomfort, pain or weakness caused by a need for food. 2. a desire, need, or appetite for food. 3. any strong desire; craving.

Recently, we had the opportunity to travel to the northwest part of Namibia - Kaokoland. Kaokoland is home to the Himba tribe of Namibia. The Himba are one of most nomadic people still left on the earth, living much as they have for hundreds of years. We were told that there are well over 600 small villages of Himba people in Kaokoland. We visited and ministered in four of these villages.

In the first village we met a woman and her children. She was making a small mud hut for one of her children as a school project. In our conversation, I asked this woman if she had heard of Jesus Christ to which she promptly replied, "Yes." I asked her if she had a Bible, and she said that she didn't. In fact, she could not read, but one of her children could read. We were able to give her a Bible in their language thanks to LFTL (Light For The Lost). In a moment she stopped what she was doing and began to talk in her language. My interpreter told me that she said, "Someone comes and preaches to us and the light comes on. Then it is a very long time before anyone comes again. The light just goes out."



This woman was hungry. She was hungry to hear about God. She was hungry to know the ways of God. She was hungry for the light to keep burning. Few statements have moved me as much as this one. It seems to be embedded deep within my spirit, and I hear her words often.

She and her family were physically hungry as well. It has not rained in this area for a very long time. The men of the village have traveled many miles with their cattle and goats in order to find suitable grazing. The women and children are left to take care of their belongings and the village. We were also able to share maize meal with this family. Maize meal is much like cream of wheat in the USA. It is a staple food for most of Africa. Fredna gave biscuits (cookies) to all the young children and adults as well! Everyone likes a sweet!

The spiritual encouragement and maize meal was not much in light of the need, but at least the light was turned on for a time... then I suppose it will go out once again.

In the next village we ministered to this old woman and her granddaughter first. The grandmother could not turn her head. She had been to the town and was able to see a doctor, but she was still suffering. We shared the Word of God with her and prayer. She was grateful for both because she believed that God could heal her.


These two women in another village were both ill. The lady with Fredna had been in an automobile accident sometime in the past. She was having many problems with her legs and knees. She was the spiritual leader of this village and a believer in Christ. The lady seated beside me was also suffering from an illness. The white markings on her face are not tribal, rather some kind of medicine that she had put on sores. We prayed for both and shared maize meal as well.



On Sunday morning I preached in the church that one of our Bible school students pastors. This picture was taken of all those that accepted Christ during the service. People are hungry to hear the Word, and the Word does not return void!


Please pray for the Himba people. They are a beautiful group of people that God sent His son, Jesus, to die for. Many have heard, but many have not. Remember, it is only Good News if it gets there in time!