Mbutu is an orphan boy who lives in Central Africa. Before coming to the Mission station, he lived with his uncle whose business was to obtain rubber in the depths of the forest. He used to make long journeys in search of the creeper from which the rubber is obtained.
These rubber-getters have to travel so far into the forest that they prefer to beat out the rubber and prepare it for sale where they find it, rather than carry the creepers all the way back to their villages. Mbutu often went with his uncle on these rubber-hunting expeditions, and sometimes camped in the forest for months together, with nothing but a leaf but or shed as protection from the rain and storms.
Traps are set in order to keep a plentiful supply of meat food, and sometimes an animal is discovered which has been killed by a leopard and left uneaten. These are great finds, and are occasions of much rejoicing, for there is nothing a native likes so well as plenty of meat.
Mbutu was brought to the mission in order to learn to read and write, and while there he found the Saviour of sinners, and trusting Him was made very happy by his discovery.
The time drew near for him to return to his village, and the missionary was asking him what he intended to do when he returned.
A native rarely gives a direct answer to a question, but prefers asking another in return, leaving you to conclude from his question what his answer is.
Mbutu replied, “If one finds meat in the forest will he eat it all himself?”
His answer was a beautiful one, for he meant he had made a great discovery in coming to the Saviour, and he wished everybody to share in the joy of it, so when he returned home he intended to tell all his friends what a Saviour and Friend Jesus the Lord.
Have you yet made the greatest discovery it is possible to make in this world?
Have you discovered that you are a sinner, and that Jesus is a great Saviour who can take you to heaven?
Are you rejoicing and feasting on the Saviour’s love—if so, are you inviting tners to share with you in your great, discovery?
ML 04/06/1941