Donkeys

Twenty five years ago we left West Africa. In many ways it seems like yesterday. We had some amazing experiences during our years in West Africa. Even after all these years there are a lot of things that I still miss. Among them is a simple way of life with virtually no media and no contact with the outside world except a trip to the capital city every 4-6 weeks. And then there is the opportunity to introduce first generations to following Jesus and starting churches—all those awesome experiences are greatly missed.

Among those things I miss are some of the animals of West Africa: hair sheep, guineas, and donkeys.

We have coyotes all along the creek across the road from our property. They don’t often come onto our property because of our dogs, the neighbors’ dogs, and so much activity going on. The cows are also a deterrent for the coyotes. Since my cows are away from our pasture for several months each year for their annual conjugal visit, I decided to buy a donkey to serve as a “guard” for the goats. From our days in West Africa, I really miss the loud irritating sound that a donkey makes. That braying brings back fond memories of life in the bush. Recently I bought a miniature jenny (female donkey) and named her Mugs. Some of you may have seen her already with one of my goats named “Cups” riding on Mugs’ back (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaqhwK-Y0v4).

Donkey stories are found frequently in the Scriptures. John 12 tells us the story of Jesus entering the city of Jerusalem on a donkey. Jesus found a donkey and fulfilled prophecy: 12 The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13 So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!" 14 And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written, 15 "Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt!"

While Jesus was arriving at the East Gate of Jerusalem, tradition tells us that Pilate was arriving at the West Gate in Jerusalem. I suppose that Pilate arrived on a stallion and was heralded by many people proclaiming him king. Jesus arrived on a donkey and was heralded with palm branches by some as a great teacher and healer and by others as a weirdo.

A simple dumb animal brought the King of the universe into Jerusalem to fulfill prophecy. Today we are the donkeys that God wants to use to carry Jesus to all peoples.