I was driving home the other day and I could not help but notice the backpacker at the side of the road. There was something about the young man that just got my attention. He was different to the other backpackers we always see around here – this young man had no shoes on his feet. At first I reckoned he was a beggar and I carried on driving, yet there was something bugging me about this man. Almost as if I had to take care of him somehow.
On my way back home from golf I noticed the man again. He was standing talking to one of the security guards, and that is when I noticed the printing on his T shirt. I suddenly knew why he had my attention from the start. This man was carrying a remarkable life story with him throughout the country. A story that made me think and one that I would like to share with you.
The young man is Jaco Swart. He was a professional black-water tubing guide, until a very fatal day. In March 2000 their party was on an ill-fated kloofing outing in the Storms River gorge. A flash flood washed away the party to their death, but Jaco managed to cling onto a tiny ledge just above the raging water. He had a badly injured knee and was stranded on the ledge for 27 hours before he was rescued. While Jaco was holding on for dear life waiting to be rescued he made a promise to God, that if he survived this terrible ordeal he would do a long and tough hike as a sign of gratitude.
Jaco started his journey in Cape Town at the V&A waterfront, before heading down the Cape Peninsula, past Camps Bay and around Cape Point. He will continue his way up the coast of South Africa until he reaches the border at Mozambique. He will then turn inland towards Swaziland before heading to the boundary fence of the Kruger National Park. He will then continue north to the mouth of the Orange river, and from there head back home to Cape Town. I would like to appeal to all South Africans out there. If you meet this extraordinary young man along the way please assist him with something to eat or any donations . He is out there being a true pilgrim for God.
I cannot help but think what do we do to say thank you to God for all we have in our lives. Some of us might say that we never turned around at death’s door step. My live is pretty ordinary. Well think again because although God might not have saved your life in an extraordinary way on one specific occasion that changed your direction. He is doing it every day by granting you another day to live your life.
Every day is a gift of life from God.
What do we do to say thank you for that gift?