Different strokes for different folks

I have been privileged to participate in 11 short-term mission trips to Ecuador. Over the years, we have observed a few steps of pro-gress in agricultural nethods.

The Quichua Indians rely very heavily on subsistence farming. They plant their crops on mountainsides so steep the work can only be done by hand. In fact, I have wondered how they are able to maintain their footing. Many also tend animals. Sometimes our bus has had to wait for a flock of sheep to slowly meander out of the roadway so we could pass.

One time we stopped at a weekly open-air market high in the Andes Mountains. Even though we were on a mission trip, we wanted to shop - you know, support the local economy.

We were headed back to the bus when we saw a lady taking some pigs home. Each pig wore a harness and was on his own leash. Individual leashes were then laced back to one main leash which the lady held. In this manner she was able to lead all eight pigs along together. She had made the harnesses/leashes of braided plastic bags.

We have frequently seen flocks of sheep being transported on the top of buses. Legs are tied and they are tossed, none too gently, to the top where there is a catcher to put them in their places. Some lie there, meekly accepting their fate, while others fight the ties on their legs and eventually gain their freedom.

Having gained their freedom, they stand. This is not always a good thing on top of a bus going down the highway. Some die while others of the flock actually do arrive at their destination alive.

On the return trip from a three-day vacation time following our mission experience in Nicaragua, we stopped at a gas station. As we were getting back on the bus there was an SUV parked next to us. At first I only noticed someone running a water hose over the top of the very nice vehicle. Then, I paid closer attention and saw what was happening.

They were transporting a full grown hog on the top of the SUV and had stopped to water him down so he would not succumb to the heat! Questions were rampant in my mind -- How did they manage to get him wrapped? How did they get him on top of the vehicle? Would he arrive safely? It seemed apparent he was not to be butchered (immediately) or they would not have taken care to water him down.

While in our culture, we would use a truck or trailer for these purposes, this is just a case of different strokes for different folks.

It's interesting how different people cope with the same problems. One's culture and possessions set the stage for the problem solving, so it does turn out to be "different strokes for different folks!"

But, no matter where I have had the privilege of sharing Christ, there are NO different strokes for salvation. For all folks, there is only one Way to eternal life -- putting one's faith in Jesus Christ who died on the cross of Calvary for our sins.

Jesus declared, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." (John 14:6)

Trust Him and give thanks.