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Abel and the Viper |
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| By Reinhold Klingbeil, As told by Albertina Klingbeil Tilstra | |||||||||
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Abel
and a few others set out on an expedition in West New Guinea, a land of
large plains, hidden valleys, and towering mountains. They often walked
when visiting villages because even jeeps had to be left behind when the
hills were too steep or too thick.
Masses of tangled vines made progress difficult, but the men
trudged on. Three or four boys walked ahead, loaded with bundles and
boxes—the supplies for the journey. Elder Vijsma (pronounced Vaismah)
followed them the best he could, and Abel brought up the rear.
Suddenly a terrified scream pierced the jungle. Elder Vijsma rushed
to Abel’s side to find him clutching his foot. It
had been bitten by a vicious adder or viper, probably the
death adder, which is very poisonous.
Poor Abel fell to the ground, moaning in pain. The burden bearers
who had been walking ahead came back quickly at the sound of the
screaming. They gathered around Elder Vijsma and the stricken Papuan
helper.
What could they do? The group had no medicines, except a small
quantity of permanganate crystals. They were helpful for disinfecting
vegetables, but of what use were they for snakebites?
Elder Vijsma found a stream nearby and carried water to the
patient. Using Abel’s shirt, he applied cold compresses to the swelling
foot. He could do no more. Or could he?
He knelt by Abel’s side and prayed. After he arose from his
knees, he continued to give cold compresses, the best treatment available
in the jungle. The pain increased, and even the leg began to swell.
Again Elder Vijsma prayed. Fervently he asked God for a sign that
he might know that his prayer would be answered.
Elder Vijsma opened his eyes, and as he looked at one of the nearby
brushes, he saw a bright light. He knew that there was no light in the
wilderness at night, and certainly no native could make such a bright
light! A feeling of awe came over him. It must have been like the feeling
Moses had when he saw the burning bush. In amazement and deep thankfulness
he accepted the miraculous light as an immediate answer from God.
But Elder Vijsma and his helper saw much more than the bright
light. They saw Abel—who only moments before had been lying on the
ground groaning in pain and in danger of immediate death—sit up. After a
few more cold compresses, he stood up and said, “I’m all right. There
is no more pain. Let us continue our trip.”
The next morning they arrived at Manokwari and went to the small
government hospital, where a doctor examined Abel’s foot.
“But there is no trace of a snake
bite,” the doctor said.
Not only had God healed Abel of the deadly effects of the viper’s
bite, but He had even removed the marks of its fangs. Yes,
God still answers prayer.
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