"God's Instrument" :
The Story of Squanto
by Charles Colson
Most of us know the story of the first Thanksgiving-- at least, we
know the Pilgrim version. But how many of us know the Indian
viewpoint? No, I'm not talking about some revisionist, p.c. version
of history. I'm talking about the amazing story of the way God used
an Indian named Squanto as a special instrument of His providence.
Historical accounts of Squanto's life vary, but historians believe
that around 1608--more than a decade before the Pilgrims arrived--a
group of English traders sailed to what is today Plymouth,
Massachusetts. When the trusting Wampanoag Indians came out to
trade, the traders took them prisoner, transported them to Spain,
and sold them into slavery.
It was an unimaginable horror--but God had an amazing plan for one
of the captured Indians--a boy named Squanto. Squanto was bought by
a well-meaning Spanish monk, who treated him well and taught him the
Christian faith. Squanto eventually made his way to England and
worked in the stables of a man named John Slaney. Slaney sympathized
with Squanto's desire to return home, and he promised to put the
Indian on the first vessel bound for America.
It wasn't until 1618--ten
years after Squanto was first kidnapped--that a ship was found.
Finally, after a decade of exile and heartbreak, Squanto was on his
way home. But when he arrived in Massachusetts, more heartbreak
awaited him. An epidemic had wiped out Squanto's entire village. We
can only imagine what must have gone through Squanto's mind. Why had
God allowed him to return home, against all odds, only to find his
loved ones dead?
A year later, the answer came. A shipload of English families
arrived and settled on the very land once occupied by Squanto's
people. Squanto went to meet them, greeting the startled Pilgrims in
English. According to the diary of Pilgrim Governor William
Bradford, Squanto "became a special instrument sent of God for [our]
good . . . He showed [us] how to plant [our] corn, where to take
fish and to procure other commodities.
" He "was also [our] pilot to bring [us] to unknown places for [our]
profit, and never left [us] till he died." When Squanto lay dying of
a fever, Bradford wrote that their Indian friend "desir[ed] the
Governor to pray for him, that he might go to the Englishmen's God
in heaven." Squanto bequeathed his possessions to the Pilgrims "as
remembrances of his love."
Who but God could so miraculously convert a lonely Indian and then
use him to save a struggling band of Englishmen? It is reminscent of
the biblical story of Joseph, who was also sold into slavery--and
whom God likewise used as a special instrument for good.
Squanto's life story is remarkable, and we ought to make sure our
children learn about it. Sadly, most books about Squanto omit his
Christian faith. But I'm delighted to say my former associate Eric
Metaxas has just written a children's book called "Squanto and the
Miracle of Thanksgiving. I highly recommend it. It will teach your
kids about the "special instrument sent of God"--who changed the
course of American history.
Copyright (c) 1999 Prison Fellowship Ministries
"BreakPoint with Chuck Colson" ("BreakPoint") is a daily commentary
on news and trends from a Christian perspective. Heard on more than
425 radio stations nationwide, BreakPoint transcripts are also
available on the Internet.
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