“We want you to have a reconciliation ceremony for us.” As he spoke, the village elder revealed a shocking chapter of the village's history. Around 80 years ago, German missionaries arrived in this village, hoping to share the love of Christ. Tragically, they were not welcomed but instead murdered and eaten. Yes, you read that right—eaten. Hearing this was surreal, and while I felt no fear, an eerie chill ran down my spine as I stood before the man whose grandfather had participated in such horrific actions.
Over the years, the village has grappled with the shame of their ancestors' deeds. They sought to make amends through a formal reconciliation ceremony to publicly apologize for the past. The village of Chili Chili is made up of five tribes, and during the ceremony, the elders from each tribe stepped forward, expressing their remorse for the actions taken so many years ago. In that sacred space, we assured them they were completely forgiven—not just by us, but by God. There is no shame, no guilt; they need not bear the weight of their ancestors’ sins.
I can confidently say that I never expected to be part of a cannibalism reconciliation ceremony in my life. I’ll mark that down as one of the craziest experiences I’ve ever had. It’s fascinating to reflect on those missionaries who lost their lives so long ago. I am deeply grateful for their sacrifice and dedication. They had such a heart for God and a passion for the world that they were willing to venture into perilous places so that others could know the love of Jesus.
God used those missionaries and many others to pave the way for people like me, allowing us to come in and continue spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ. This powerful night of reconciliation was a testament to the transformative work of grace, uniting past and present in the pursuit of healing and hope.