What Has 40 Arms and 48 Legs?

I received the following article from some friends who work with a missions organization. I will tell you more about them at the end. I liked this article so much, that with the help of my dad, I used it as an offering devotion at church.


How do 20 Believers from the Higaunon tribe and 2 pigs travel more than 50 miles to a bi-annual church conference in the Philippines?

They hire 2 motorcycles.

Their load includes all of their luggage, but it is not as bad as it sounds because the pigs didn't bring any luggage.

"These motorbikes have a frame built on the back of them with 2 planks of wood tied cross ways to them and they often carry up to ten people plus the driver," wrote missionaries Ron and Michelle Jennings. "Two people sit behind the driver, and two boards that they call wings stick out on each side in order to carry eight more."

"They told how they braced themselves along the highway as big buses overtook them with other buses coming the other way and they prayed thinking that they were going to be squashed between them. Then on the mountain roads they described how many times they crashed as the bike could not stay balanced on the rough roads."

"It's okay though," they said, "with the wings sticking out the way they do, the bikes can't actually crush you. You just get toppled off."

Hiring the bikes cost the believers the equivalent of 2 weeks wages.

"Anyone who is willing to go through all of that to attend a Bible conference - and then stand at this end rejoicing in God's provision in getting them there - has to have a motive that is a little bit beyond the natural realm," wrote Ron and Michelle. "They just decided what the Lord wanted them to do and placed themselves in His hands."


Priorities. This story shows me that these Believers had their priorities in the right place. Matthew 6:33 talks about where our priorities should be, "But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." All Christians need to be examples of that. In all that we do, are we seeking FIRST God's Kingdom and Righteousness? Are we willing to get on a motorbike built for 10 people because it is the right thing to do? How deep is your faith? When it comes to giving your money to God, how deep is your faith?

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 says, "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."

You will find this article here at http://www.ntm.org/andy_corley/4151. I went to college with Kristi (Neff) Corley and I also met her husband, Andy, there even though he wasn't a student at NCC. They are currently serving with New Tribes Missions. You can check them out at the above website.