“Do not fish here!” the villagers angrily told us. “This is where our ancestors live.”
Puzzled by these words, it was explained to me that
these people believed their deceased relatives had come back from the dead to
live as catfish in that part of the stream.
Not to be deterred, my African friends tried fishing again a short
distance downstream. To my amazement, we
were left alone to enjoy our afternoon pastime even though we were sure that those
same “protected catfish” could swim to where we might be able to catch them.
As a 9 year old, I learned from these older youths that
rather than mocking, disrespecting and arguing with adults we thought were
silly and superstitious, we simply made their requested adjustment and still
got to fish a short distance away.
Interesting encounters like this were mine to enjoy as a 9 year old in the rain forest near Fassama, Liberia; when each Saturday, some of the boarding school students would take me fishing with them.
Using cane poles, hooks and hard crusts of
bread we would usually catch a catfish or two in the cool stream that separated
the village from our mission campus; just as we did on that particular day when we were told where not to fish.
Walking through dense jungle to find better places
to drop our lines was like a wonderland experience for this young white
kid. Sensing new smells and strange
sounds - as well as enjoying the cooler temperatures from the shade of the
thick green canopy overhead - far outweighed any fear of venomous vipers,
biting bugs or leopards.
Dodging saw-grass that could scratch like a knife,
my friends – swinging sharp blades – would often cut trails from the vegetation
that never seemed to stop growing; trying to reclaim its cleared places. I can still remember tasty tropical fruits enjoyed
after being harvested by those machetes they called “cutlasses”.
When we were thirsty, they knew just the vine to cut
down that would provide cool water that was safe for this American boy to
drink. Cutting more than we needed, this
vine would be bent and tied like an archery bow to be carried as a natural
canteen - string side up to keep the water from spilling out - so that we could
have another drink later. Such fascinating
things were learned from my new African buddies who knew how to enjoy the
jungle.
I will never forget those students who had moved to
the mission - our parents and other missionaries were working at - to better
themselves with an education that was not available in their communities. While they were learning from American adults
during the week, this Amercan boy was learning from them on the weekends.
Just as showing some respect that day in the jungle
- by quietly granting the wishes of the grownups we believed were being superstitious
- still allowed us to catch fish, I learned that by being patient with the perceived
weaknesses of others still allows us to be blessed in the long run.
Is this simple lesson a Biblical principle? I think so.
While the Bible does not teach about catfish and reincarnation,
it does speak of kindness and showing respect to others, as well as a couple
other things that I think apply.
In MATTHEW
5:25 Jesus told His followers to agree with their adversaries quickly and ROMANS 12:18 says, “as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.”
Living
like this requires the humility I saw in those teenaged jungle fishermen.
Unfortunately,
many in our world do not abide by these Biblical principles and Liberia itself eventually
plunged into a long and bloody civil war involving war crimes and unbelievable
genocide with atrocities committed by many.
Finally, now in a phase of reconstruction and recovery,
after being almost totally destroyed, I am sure that many Liberians are once
again practicing this principle of respecting the beliefs of others even if
those beliefs are known to be wrong.
Our world is a strange and dangerous place, with
wars, rumors of wars and opportunities to serve its many needs. While we may not agree with what causes and
fixes such problems, I think we can all be certain that it is high time to do
our part put a stop to the disrespect in the world.
After all, aren’t there more fish to catch
downstream?
