Saturday morning came early, the day Alessandra was to head to the garden with her Congolese friend. She woke early, dressed in loose, cool clothing, and braided her hair. With her backpack supplied with water and snacks, she headed to the gate and let herself out. A moment later, Mama Tshala arrived and beckoned her to follow.
Alessandra and her companion left the main road and headed on a side road. The path gradually descended to a small body of water called the Lutshuati River. There were several little dugout canoes at the shoreline and men offering the mamas rides to their gardens and back for a minor fee. One man indicated that they should step into his canoe. He was going to give them a free, one-way passage because Alessandra was a guest in their country.
Alessandra was nervous about her first trip in such a flimsy-looking craft. When Tshala squatted in front of her and held tightly to the sides, she followed her example. The initial shove that the boatman gave to the canoe to get it off the shore caused the boat to rock precariously from side-to-side, increasing Alessandra’s nervousness. But happily, the river was narrow and the trip across uneventful. On the opposite shore, she hopped out, shouldered her backpack and followed Tshala up the steep embankment into the forest.
Although the situation was new to Alessandra, making her worry, she was under the guidance of an experienced boat pilot. As believers, we also need to trust our Captain, Jesus. One verse encourages us, “For it became Him, for Whom are all things, and by Whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through suffering.” (Hebrews 2:10)
Life can sometimes place us in precarious situations, but we are in the boat with our skilled Captain, Who will safely lead us security and hope. Let’s trust Him!
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