TANZANIA – There are some darker events in the process of sanctification for the Hadzabe tribal people. When God has great victories, the enemy retaliates with ugly attacks.
More than a year ago a small group of male tourists passed themselves off as men of God, deceiving the Hadzabe and subjecting them to perverted practices. Such an unwanted invasion turned their community upside-down, dividing families and threatening to create hostilities between villages. They then declared that they would receive no more tourist visits, but unfortunately certain park officials made no promises. The love of money weakened the resolve of the park officials to protect the bush people, and a hefty bribe brought a recent group of tourists to a Hadzabe village. Once again, the Hadzabe people were subjected to perverted practices. The Hadzabe employed their own system of justice, resulting in the death of a tourist.
The repercussions of the death of this tourist escalated quickly. The Hadzabe moved their entire village further into the bush to avoid further contact with tourists or government officials. Those involved in their act of justice moved even farther into the bush. Government officials, for their part, did not wish to confront the situation head-on, fearing the poisoned weaponry and deadly skills of the bush people. Some even feared that they might be eaten.
The question of what to do did not rest for long on the table. They called the only ones who both they and the Hadzabe could trust, real men of God who could pour cool water on a hot fire. They called Pastors Johnson and Amos and begged for their help.
To shorten the story, our pastors traveled to the bush and invoked the peace that only God can bring. The tension is now calmed. The village is not looking over its shoulder, the young men who distanced themselves have returned to their families, and the government officials have been chastised. They have collectively agreed: no tourists will be brought to the Hadzabe village for a while, no accepting of bribes, careful vetting of would-be visitors and seeking Hadzabe approval prior to any visit.
Trials continue to confront these Christians who are so young in their faith, but each episode ends with their being driven even closer to the Lord.
