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Arizona Sunrise

Album: 30: Through Thick & Thin

Episode: 402

Lesson/Theme: Forgiveness/Love

Bible Verse: Matthew 18:21-35; 1 Corinthians 13:7

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Original Air Date: May 2, 1998

Last Air Date: August 6, 2009

Description:
Cody is looking for a project for History Day at school and Jack Allen offers to help. Jack produces an old Western saddle that has just arrived from California that belonged to Reverend James Klinger, a circuit riding preacher in Arizona. Jack gives Cody a book about Rev. Klinger, which details some of the adventures he had as he while ministering to the Apache Indians. The story begins as Klinger is called to the local fort and ordered not to preach to the Apaches, but insists he must follow his calling. Klinger sets out with his friend, Reese to find Massai, an old Apache Chief, who has gone on a ""desert walk,"" waiting to die. Against the wishes of her tribe, Nalikadeya, Massai's granddaughter, offers to take Klinger and Reese to the old man, and professes belief in God. As they camp for the night, Nalikadeya explains that her parents were killed by soldiers when she was a baby, and Klinger relates how his mother was killed by Apaches, prompting his father's suicide. Pionsenay, an Apache scout for the U.S. Cavalry, arrives at the campsite to help them find Massai because he claims that the Apache plan to attack the white settlers when Massai dies. The men realize that Nalikadeya has run off to find her grandfather and set off after her. Late into the night they find her with her grandfather, who is near death. Pionsenay, who has lied to the men, pulls out a knife and tries to kill Massai as revenge for killing his father and brother. Klinger and Reese save Massai, but suddenly Klinger sees a necklace that belonged to his mother in Massai's possession. He realizes that Massai was the Apache who killed his mother, but even then Klinger won't allow Pionsenay to kill Massai because it is wrong to pay evil for evil. Because of what Klinger has done, Massai asks to hear about God as they travel back to the fort. Massai and Nalikadeya both eventually became Christians and helped lead many in their village to Christ. Cody decides this is a great story for his History Day project.

Questions:
Reverend Clinger said that the Apache were his "calling." What did he mean by that? Why was it so important for Clinger to find Massai before he died? Pionsenay says that Massai killed his father and brother and that he should be allowed to kill Massai. Clinger tells him he is wrong. Why? Even after Clinger found that Massai killed his own mother, he was still able to forgive him. Where did he say that his strength to forgive came from?