When Am I Going to Die?
“Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”John 15:13
As a missionary among the Motilones, a native people in the jungles of South America, I had been encouraged by their sincerity during a river baptism ceremony. A few months later, I visited a Colombian hospital with Jorge Kaymiyokba, one of the Motilones at the baptism. We learned that a Motilone woman there had just given birth and lost much blood. She needed an immediate transfusion.
The doctor knew that all Motilones share the same blood type. “It’s a good thing you brought a Motilone,” he said to me in Spanish. “I’ll start preparations for taking his blood.” When I translated the doctor’s words, Kaymiyokba’s face paled. “No, you’re not going to do that,” he said.“Kaymiyokba, if you don’t give your blood, this woman will die,” I said. “I can’t do it. I have a different blood type.”
Kaymiyokba put his head down. “I don’t want to,” he said. “I can’t! I have too many things to do in this life.” I didn’t understand his selfish attitude. Kaymiyokba sat down. Finally, he said in a somber voice, “All right. I will give my blood.”
Soon, Kaymiyokba was watching with a strange mixture of sadness and contentment as a nurse plunged a needle into his arm and began extracting his blood. Then he looked up. “Tell me,” he said, “when am I going to die?”Suddenly I understood Kaymiyokba’s reluctance—he thought I wanted him to give his life!
Incredibly, in a matter of minutes, he had made the decision to sacrifice himself so that another could live. I realized then that his decision at the river was not mere lip service. He intended to follow the example of Christ with all his heart and mind, no matter what the cost. I prayed then, and continue to pray, that all of us are as willing to give everything for the love and joy offered by Jesus. -Bruce Olsson
Bruce Olsson left his university studies at the age of 19 in search of the feared Motilone Indians of Colombia, because he believed God was sending him to tell them about Christ. Half a century later, the lives of the Motilone people have been transformed by Christ’s power and love. Read his fascinating biography, Bruchko, for more.
