Protection: Learning from the Elephants

This past summer Rod, Lydia and I had the great privilege of going on a safari in Masai Mara, Kenya.  We saw an abundance of animals.  In the Democratic Republic of  the Congo, where we live normally,  elephants are an endangered species. During our three day safari we saw an abundance of elephants including a herd of approximately 70 elephants all at once. We were so glad to see that the population was being protected

One of the things that facinated me about about these elephants was the way they protected their young.  Within each herd of 10 to 15 elephants there would be several young ones.  As we watched the young elephants, we would suddenly see that there was an even smaller little one hidden among them.  The complete family would make it their job to gather around and shelter the littlest one.  While I loved seeing the little tiny one, the family would guarantee that I only got small glimpses of that little one. 

The safari vans on the far side can't see the little one.

 If we came too near, the mother or a bull within the herd would make it clear that we were close enough and they wanted us to back away.
After visiting Masai Mara we went on to visit an elephant orphanage just outside of Nairobi, the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, http://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/  Poaching is a big problem anywhere there are elephants.  The sad thing is that there have been rumors that there is healing power in the elephant and rhinoceros's  tusk so poachers are being paid great sums of money to harvest those tusks for cancer cure.  Apparently, the same cure can be made with synthetic chemicals and the elephants and rhinoceroses do not need to be killed for these chemicals.
Unfortunately, many will not listen to this reasoning and
 they are determine to get the tusks.
As a result, these elephants are hunted and they of course will give their lives to protect their young  At the orphanage we would hear stories of the mother sheltering her baby to her dying breath  Or of how the mother sent the baby somewhere for protection only for the baby to be caught and injured in a trap.  We also learned that the babies need to be kept warm at all times because they are subject to pneumonia.  Each  orphaned elephant is given its own blanket to wear at all times on its back to keep its temperature higher.  This is a simple substitute for the family continuously gather around this baby.
The family wasn't just protecting the babies from hunters and predators but they were also keeping that baby's temperature at the right level.





 Lately I read Psalm 91 which is a great comfort when you live in a country that is constantly dealing with war.  Recently we had friends evacuate from two different cities because of rebel activity.  I take comfort in the words,

 "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
 Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
I say to the Lord, 'My refuge and my fortress,
 My God in whom I trust!
For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper
And from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with His pinions,
And under His wings you may seek refuge;
His faithfulness is a shield and a bulwark."
 Psalm 91:1-3

When I read this I am guessing that the author was thinking of a bird and its protection of its young.  But I am seeing those mighty elephants.  To stand in their shadow is a mighty thing.  My God is so much mightier and He is my shelter and my refuge.  Like the baby elephants, I don't run out and yell, "Nah, nah, nah, I have a mighty strong guard behind me." Instead, I stay in His shadow and close to Him for there is a shield and a bulwark that protects me.
Yes, I have faced troubles!  Living life brings those troubles but God does protect.  From rebel cross fire, to lightning strikes, to car accidents,  to walking over a black mamba, He guards and protects.  I don't go out hunting for those situations but when I end up in them, He is guarding. He is mightier than any bull elephant, any soldier, or any storm.  He is the Creator and Sustainer of all.