The men on the mission station in Africa were planning to go on a hippo hunt. They asked us women if we would like to join them. A couple of us said, “Oh, yes, we certainly would.”
We were to be gone several days, since the hippos lived by a river quite a distance away. That meant men had to be hired to carry the equipment needed for the trip—tents, folding cots, chairs, tables, food, cooking pots, etc. It was to be a journey through the jungle on a narrow, dusty path, single file. We ladies rode bikes. We had to get off now and then to lift them over tree trunks that lay across the path.
After reaching the river we selected a site not too far from where the hippos were supposed to be living. We set up camp, got the tents all arranged and ate supper. Then, because everyone was tired, we went to bed.
Early the next morning we started off, the men with guns and the carriers with spears. We were quite a large group of people, and each person had to walk very cautiously, trying to hide ourselves so the hippos would not see us. It wasn’t too long until a hippo was spotted.
If you have ever seen a hippopotamus in the zoo, you know how very large they are. Only the elephant and rhinoceros are larger land animals. A full-grown hippo may weigh as much as five thousand pounds. Its legs are short, but it can run as fast as a person. Each foot has four webbed toes for swimming. It has a huge head and an enormous mouth —enough to frighten not only people, but its wild beast enemies, too.
One of the men got close enough to the hippo in the water and shot it with his rifle. After it was shot a native tied a rope to one of its legs, and they all pulled the hippo up the river right to the camp where we had stayed the night before.
A very busy day followed. Many sharp knives removed the skin and cut up the meat. We had never seen such a pile of meat! There was enough to give to the people living in nearby villages. They came with knives to help and were given their portions. All were happy and thankful.
That provided another opportunity to witness for the Lord—to tell them that the God who sends the sunshine and rain to make their crops grow also sent His Son to save them from their sins.
The next day when the luggage was packed, we started back home, glad to tell of His great love and kindness in helping to supply their bodily needs.
Even though very few of us have to hunt for our food, we should still be thankful for all that God provides for us. We sometimes forget that all the blessings we have have been supplied by a God who loves us. His love is so great that it sent His only Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for sinners like you and me. On the cross the Lord Jesus was punished so that those of us who believe in Him can be forgiven and go to heaven. He died so that we can have everlasting life. His blood can wash us clean from every stain of sin if we accept Him as our Saviour. Is He your Saviour? Won’t you accept Him now?
ML-12/25/1983