May 18

Witnessing

Your name will be "Liseli"

“The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land
of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” Matthew 4:16 (NIV)

There was an air of excitement all around Sefula (seh-FOO-la) and
especially at my small home. The Lozi (LOH-zee) king was coming to
attend the church services and to eat at my house! As far as I knew, the
king usually did not visit a private home.

The day came when the king entered my home. During the introductions,
I explained in the Lozi language that I was a missionary and
that my name was Gerri. In SiLozi (see-LOH-zee), the name Gerri
sounds like “Jelly” because it is hard for them to pronounce the “r” sound.
So I boldly asked for a Lozi name, which I found out later was against
protocol. The king was humored, and he answered with a smile, “I’ll
think about it.”

Before the end of the visit, the king said, “My wife and I have decided
upon a name for you. It will be ‘Liseli’ (lee-SEH-lee). It means ‘light.’
Just as the sun gives light and life to plants, animals and people, I want
God’s Word to be life and a light to the people of Western Province.”
I was stunned and pleased to receive this blessing. After the king
left the room, a lady seated nearby privately said, “Ah, you are a very
lucky woman to be given a name by the king.”

Luck? No! God knew that I would be given the name Liseli, and as I
let the excitement of the moment sink in, I realized that His true “light”
must shine through me to the Lozi.

—Gerri, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa

Almighty God, I pray that You would place God-fearing people of wisdom in
places of leadership in Southern Africa. May Your Word go forth boldly, O
Lord, to be life and light among the Lozi people as You strengthen those who
carry Your message. Amen.
Next day