This past week our ministry hosts here at Impact Africa took us on a men’s hunting trip. The guys of our squad, the male interns, and the men from the 11n11 world race team got to go with us.
While sitting in the back of an old Toyota Land Cruiser truck in the middle of South Africa, I remembered back to my childhood. My dad would take me and my brother down to the woods behind our house to teach us how to shoot and carry guns. We would learn to clean a gun and compete at shooting a piece of paper that would wind up in too many pieces to recall who got the best shot. It’s one of my favorite memories with my father.
We were out hunting and camping for three days. Day one, we got a wildebeest and an impala and the smiles of the guys who got them were ear to ear. This just got me more excited for the 4:30 am wake up call for day two. The morning rolls around and we arise to the sun peaking over the mountain tops, we were in Gods country. We hopped on the truck and headed out for that nights dinner, blood rushing and eyes fixed on the early morning horizon line for any movement.
After a few hours, a guy named Lyle had the first kill of the day, a wildebeest. This gets your heart going faster and you start itching for a kill for yourself. About one hour rolls around and we hear shots in the distance, Alex just got one of his own, another wildebeest from a good deal away. Two down and now the adrenaline is real.
After lunch, Seamus (an intern at Impact) went out in search for a Kudu…a beautiful animal. We tracked one down, he held his breath, then the shot rang out. He got him, a beautiful trophy kudu. It was looking out to be a great day of shooting, no misses and plenty of meat.
We celebrated shortly and headed back out. Now it was Ryan’s turn, an employee at Impact who looks as if he could be straight out of the marines. We drove a bit and saw one far off, we slowed the car and Ryan prepped his shot. He got it. Our third wildebeest of the day.
One of our leaders, Mason, asked us who was next and I felt it, this was my time. It was now around five in the afternoon, I had the gun in hand and was ready to shoot anything my eyes fixed upon. We took off in confident pursuit of another pack of wildebeest. We saw a stampede start to slow, but my heart did just the opposite. They were far off, but I placed the gun on the truck mount and scoped them in my sights.
This was it, I was about to get my first kill while hunting in South Africa!
I held my breath and slowly pulled the trigger. A hit. I didn’t drop it, so the chase began. Our spotter George saw where the pack had been and saw a trail of blood. We tracked the blood trail for nearly an hour, with hope slowly dwindling. The blood on the trail started to become harder and harder to see until the drops seemingly vanished upon the African red-dirt. We lost it.
The all consuming rush of masculinity that I saw the other guys experience was not what I was feeling. It felt as if the half tank of masculinity I had just prepared to fill, had just been tipped over and emptied out completely. That did not make me feel like a “manly man.”
After coming up empty on the search, Mason pulled me aside as we waited for the Land Cruiser to retrieve us. He spoke some of the most impactful words I’ve heard since being on the race. (In the thickest southern accent)
“Ya know Drew, all this huntin’ and eatin’ meat is definitely fun and makes a man feel something deep within. But what makes a man isn’t what you kill, but how you carry yourself. And the way you’re carrying yourself when it ain’t goin’ you’re way says a lot about you man.”
Going into this trip, we were going to do manly things like shooting guns, driving on dirt roads, and roughing it in the middle of nowhere. The manly things that were taught, were about what’s within us and revealing us to our natural wiring. Fighting for the kingdom, leading as a man, and growing in what we were designed to be.
I am a man after Gods own heart. A mighty man of God.
Drew, not only are you being led by God, you have a gift for expressing yourself in writing…WOW, WOW, WOW! Time seems to be flying by (at least for us). We continue to pray for you and all of the team as you grow in your faith and reach others for Christ. Gpa and I love you!!!
Sounds like you got more out of it than just a hunting trip. I’m glad the guys got to get away for a few days. Can’t wait to see you in January.
Wow.. just wow. What an awesome experience. An awesome post. And most importantly, an awesome man of God. You brought tears to my eyes Drew. So incredibly proud of you and the men you are serving with. My prayers are with you all!
What an adventure! Whether you managed to drop a w-beast or not, lessons were learned. This will be a favorite memory for a long time. God is leading you well!
I could hear the south african accent in the quote, it was great. A lot of wisdom in it too. Im jealous of your guys weekend it sound like a beautiful thing.
Drew, I am so glad that you and the guys got to go hunting, in South Africa, no less. How true the words Mason spoke to you are. I love watching all of you grow in God’s love and His purpose for your life. Much love and hugs to you!!
If you could have seen my face as I was reading this…..I was so involved in the story line. Anyways, proud of you Drew. Man of God. I think Mason hit the nail on the head.
Wow, how exciting!!! The hunting part was okay too. Lol 🙂 what a wise man speaking those words. You are an amazing man of God and how you carry yourself shows that Drew. You just keep growing! So excited to read your words. Miss you and love you.