I will show you my faith by my deeds. James 2:18
Bernard Mizeki (1896)
Stood by the Suffering
Bernard is regarded by many as the first indigenous Christian martyr of Southern Africa. He started to work among the Mashona people of Zimbabwe (then Rhodesia) in 1891, and through his linguistic, musical and teaching gifts he brought the Gospel to them in their own language and culture. This society was dominated by traditional religions and, at a time when the Europeans were making military and commercial advances into Southern Africa, Bernard was regarded by some as an agent of the imperialists.
The Mashona rebelled against the British, and Bernard could have left, but he chose to stay. He was advised to abandon his station and was hesitating when he saw a man covered with sores, whom he had taken in. Bernard realised that if he went, that man would be left to starve. He wrote of his decision, “I cannot leave my people now in a time of such darkness.”
On the night of 17 June 1896 he was attacked and wounded by warriors but was able to crawl to a nearby hillside, where he died. Bernard’s wife and another woman went to look for him, but the body had gone. The site of his martyrdom has been a place of pilgrimage for many Christians from all over southern Africa.
Lord, if any have to die this day, let it be me, for I am ready.
Billy Bray (1794-1868)