Widespread drought is commonplace in Africa. After spending three months throughout the southern part of the continent, a lack of water was often one of the first things we heard about as our ministry hosts shared prayer requests for rain upon our arrival. When we got to Pretoria, South Africa we were praying for God to prepare us however He wanted us to love and serve. We usually work with people so it came as a surprise that because of their drought we would actually be working with animals, baby flamingos to be exact.
“Flamingo Ministry” as it was explained to us would be an opportunity to directly combat the effects of drought we have come to be all too familiar about. As native flamingos laid eggs of the future generation, they became desperate for water. They chose flight over fight as they left their eggs behind to search for water. As a result, over 600 eggs were abandoned to fend for themselves. “The Flamingo Project” stepped up in this occasion to serve and care for God’s creation. We were told we would have the possibility of caring for orphans as ministry, little did we know it would be baby flamingo orphans.
Throughout our time of making food and feeding it to the flamingos, I began to realize that Jesus was giving me a real-life analogy of Christianity. In addition to being the prince of peace, He is also the prince of parables after all. As some of the baby flamingos didn’t have an appetite to eat, we would try and try again to feed them until we would potentially have to tube feed them. After working in long-term healthcare the past eight years I’ve seen my fair share of tube feeding but this was certainly a new type of patient and a completely new approach. To avoid this last-resort feeding method though, God gave me a gentle approach with the baby flamingos. He put on my heart “the least of these” even when they were little gray birds whose feathers hadn’t grown in yet. As I would hold my syringe full of food and wait for the baby birds to come to me when they were ready, God revealed to me that this is how it should also be in Christianity. That we shouldn’t force feed our beliefs upon others. Don’t get me wrong, I believe everyone should feed their faith since it’s the best form of nourishment for providing sustainability. However, I think we ought to consider our approach of how we share it and how we love it out.
Jesus tells us He is bread in John 6:51 saying “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” He is both bread and a feeder for us. He does so with a gentle approach, just as we did to get the baby flamingos to come to us. Jesus doesn’t run after us like a life-or-death grim reaper. Jesus doesn’t hold us too tight to force feed us either. Rather, He allows us to come to Him when we are ready. John 6:35 reads that “Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” We get to come to Him when we realize He is the only thing that will fill us. He sacrificed His life for us whether we choose to indulge in it or we choose to starve ourselves from it.
For those of us who do come to Him, it may seem hectic at first. It may seem like you’re drowning before you find the bread of life. Don’t worry though, because in the midst of drought, God intentionally sends His people to you. Just like how God placed our team in Pretoria to serve the Flamingo Project and the baby birds. Our first day there was somewhat chaotic but God sent us as stable support which was very much needed. It can also be overwhelming with multiple people trying to feed you, thinking that they have the best approach. Eventually you will learn how to be fed all on your own. Our last day at The Flamingo Project, was also the last day the baby birds needed assistance being fed. They were weaned and able to start feeding themselves the very next day. This was not coincidence, this was the intentional timing of God! Unlike the flamingos in South Africa, He will never abandon His children to go out in search of water. The only thing He is constantly searching for is us.
P.S. We aren’t able to share pictures of the baby flamingos yet since they are now in the witness protection program. Once they are released back to their natural habitat in May, we will be able to share pictures and videos so stay tuned!
