The wonder of the
forest
In a world where “the wrong seems oft so strong”, it is
sometimes very beneficial to stop and see the beauty and wonder which surrounds
us.
As a Newfoundlander is drawn to the ocean, a Kenyan is
pulled to the forest. As visitors here, we too find the forest quite
fascinating. It never disappoints us. Our excursions never satisfy our
knowledge or understanding. There is so much. It’s incessant. In the Kakamega
forest alone, there’s 160 different species of trees so varied in color,
height, and foliage. Shading our walk as
we trek through its road ways like strangers or possibly intruders, this serene
piece of God’s creation mystifies us. We
marvel at our surroundings each time we get to trod this part of the earth. 170 variations of flowering plants – yet
we’ve noticed so few.
On Saturday, our guide, Jona, (now our favorite) is so obliging
as he escorts and educates us about his home land. He’s lived in the forest
village since birth. His mind and vision enable us to see what we naturally
would not and he prods us to vaguely understand how the Creator has formed and
sustained life in such a broader expanse than just human beings. There is a holistic grandeur of our created
world spanning oceans, forests, sky and space that often escapes our
identification. The sites, sounds, smells, touch and taste are truly wonderful.
If once in a while we would stop and
consider it more fully, we would be blessed. Perhaps even in our own backyard
there is wonder just waiting to capture our hearts.
On our recent walk with our friend Jessica from Washington
DC, Jona, stops at some fig trees that grow ceaselessly as twisted and entwined
vegetation until the original host tree is lost and new trees generate. (Death
and life so co-dependent). Birthed from
seeds that must first pass through a digestive system before hatching with a
root system that is hard enough to crack concrete, the fig tree is more complex
than meets the eye. Besides the
complexity of how trees grow and interconnect, there is also the wonder of what
they produce. Numerous forest trees harvest
leaves or plants which have traditionally been used for medicinal purposes to
treat malaria or other illnesses. One very large tree creates a bark used in
the past as therapy for prostate cancer. Even now, researchers come to the
forest and take samples of the bark to study the contents which make it so
medically suitable.
We stop again. “Look up” Jona says, pointing to a dark image
in the trees about 30 feet above us. What is it? A hive? Yes, but not from
bees. It’s an ant hive. Not on the ground as we expect but overhead hanging marginally
off the tree trunk, almost camouflaged yet visible. Ants (so characteristically coordinated and
methodical) carry mud high up the trunks to fashion a beehive type nest and
then scour the trees and ground for food to take to their home. Among their food search are eggs which have
been hatched from moths or butterflies. To the ant’s eye, these small eggs
appear eatable and tasty so they carry the eggs back to the nest eager to have their
meal. The eggs disappoint them - the shells are too hard to crack or digest so
they are discarded. But nature’s work doesn’t cease. The natural temperature inside
this ant nest just so happens to be perfect for these hard shelled eggs and
before long they hatch into caterpillars evolving later into one of the forest’s
indigenous, exotic butterflies. Oh the wonder of it all! Nature always needing nature. So much
inter-connectedness!
Before long, Jona’s keen eye sites a rare bird perched
lightly on a branch by the side of the road. The three of us peer intently
struggling to see the uncommon creature. The bird’s name (which Jona knew)
escapes me now but it is so rare birdwatchers spend hours or days looking for
it but for us - there it is. Carefree on its perch for a few moments until it
takes flight again with its dark blue and black body swooping back into its
natural habitat. No camera to snap pictures,
we just revel in the scenic pleasure.
The forest could be a welcome shopping spot for craftsmen
and wood workers. A unique feature of one tree is the sandpaper leaves.
Sustaining their grit for several uses, these leaves are pretty practical for manipulating
rough surfaces into smooth ones - amazing to touch. And walk a little further to a tree that
releases sticky sap quite suitable for making glue. I ponder about how much in
our world has been considered human discoveries only to realize there is so
much around us provided directly by the Creator.
Our walk brings us to the summit of a hill. The panoramic
view of the rain forest always stirs our admiration. An endless carpet of multi-colored green
trees seemingly yielding only to the far distant mountains. We sit under the shade of a small tree to
catch our breath and let our eyes gaze with curious marvel. How beneficial it is to physically or
symbolically rise above the chaos of our everyday lives and take the long view.
See (or at least imagine) the grandeur of life as God created it - the
perfection of systems and seasons, the harmony of a variant nature as it was
meant to be (diversity at its best), and the beautiful rhythms of the Creator’s
handiwork. What’s a little startling is
that we not only get to enjoy and gape at all of this, but we also have
responsibility for it. I’m not an environmental expert or any kind of ecological
advocate, but I cannot forget the directive from the One who lovingly gave us
this incredible world in all its glory. “Everything
I have created has My breath in it and I give it to you. Take care of it.”
(Genesis 1:30, my paraphrase). Oh let me (us) ne’er forget.
Descending the hill, as we carefully maneuver the loose
gravel and rocky terrain, Morris and Jona suddenly spot a large light-colored
bird soaring like an eagle across the wide expanse of the sky above the forest.
Its swoop and lunge buoyed by the wind beneath its wings captivate
us as we try to surmise the mystery and splendor of this creature and its creator. Transcending what is happening beneath and around him, the bird glides smoothly and carefree ‘til it disappears into the world that perhaps it is either exploring or
admiring. I recall the prophet’s words: “The
Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth … his
understanding no one can fathom … but those who hope in Him will renew their
strength. They will soar on wings like eagles.” (Isaiah 40)
My prayer today is that our Creator’s wonder will forever be
our rock and our guide.
