Yahweh's Canoe

I followed a bamboo bass line under a house and ended up recording the village’s songs. Same four chords, every Friday night, until one of them took off and the next village paddled up to answer it.

/ and /

I opened a free tattoo shop in the jungle with a kit someone else was throwing away. First request: a shield and two arrows. Last request: I still can’t say out loud.

The Witchdoctor returned in a new role with redoubled influence over the Wabuku people. This time, the damage was much worse. I wrestled with my responsibility to the village, to my family.

Content Warning: This first story contains a dark elements about infidelity in marriage, the death of a child, and depression. May not be suitable for children. Parents, please listen first before sitting down with your kids. Buuut, the second half is just about a large crocodile. They'll like that one, perchance.

I caught a vivid glimpse of the fear at the bedrock of Wabuku's worldview. And then for one day, the social structure of Wabuku was flipped on its head because of a Checkers tournament.

How would you respond if someone said, "My wife has an evil spirit, can you come help?" Feeling ill-equipped for the task, I went anyway. And, keeping ill-equipped as the theme, listen as I dealt with a fishhook buried deep in a child's foot.

Join me on my first and second successful crocodile hunts. Two hunts. Two locations. Same crocodiles.

I was ill-equipped to care for a woman with a severely injured hand. But if the best camera is the one you have (as they say), then perhaps the best doctor is the same. Thankfully, a bald angel would descend from the sky in rescue.

These stories raised a difficult question: As a husband and father, what sacrifices can I make that aren't also sacrifices for my family? A fish bone and noodle challenged my resolve to continue church planting in the village.

Disclaimer: For any would-be missionary church planters, this story is descriptive and not prescriptive. This was a risky move that I can't recommend, though I will defend the principle behind it. If you're listening to find fault in my tactics out here, look no further. You've arrived at the correct episode.

I've endeavored to not over-edit what I share, neither the stories that one could call victories, nor the stories that reveal my lapses in wisdom and/or caution. And while this one ended well, it was perhaps only so by God's mercy.

In Wabuku, the creepy-crawlies are always a-lurking, a danger from which I'm happy to protect my family. Usually. But sometimes wisdom dictates following Brave Sir Robin:

"When danger reared its ugly head,

He bravely turned his tail and fled ..."