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, “Yes, we certainly would.”
We were to be gone several days, since the hippos lived by a river quite a distance away. It was to be a journey through the jungle on a narrow, dusty path, single file.
After reaching the river, we selected a site not too far from where the hippos were living. We set up camp and ate supper. Then we went to bed.
Early the next morning we started off, the men with guns and the carriers with spears. Each person had to walk quietly so the hippos would not hear 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. A full-grown hippo may weigh as much as five thousand pounds. Its legs are short, but it can run faster than a person.
One of the men got close enough to the hippo in the water and shot it with his rifle. After making sure it was dead, 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.
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.
The villagers came with knives to help and were given their portions. They were happy and thankful. That provided another opportunity 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.
We were glad to also tell them of His great love and kindness in helping to supply our need for food.
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 our blessings have been supplied by a God who loves us. His love is so great that He 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-10/14/2001