Victory over the River

A missionary to Brazil served a native tribe in a remote part of the jungle. A contagious disease was ravaging the population. The missionary determined that the only hope was to take the tribe to a hospital in another part of the jungle for treatment. In order to reach the hospital it was necessary to cross a large river. Yet the tribe refused to cross, believing that the waters were inhabited by evil spirits.

The missionary explained how he had crossed the water and no harm had come to him, but the people didn't care. He next led them to the river bank and placed his hand in the water. The poeople still were too afraid. He walked out knee-deep into the water and splashed around, and they wouldn't budge. Finally he turned around and dove into the water and swam beneath the surface until he emerged on the other side. As he came out of the water he punched his hand in the air as an act of triumph. The people broke into cheers and followed him across.

Ogden, Greg. Discipleship Essentials. Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 1998. 102.