Here in Coffee land rescuing and being rescued is a way of life. If you do not rescue on a fairly regular basis or are in need of rescuing yourself you are not living, you are existing in a bubble.
Everyone understands the blessing in rescuing, to be able to help others; Harder to see the blessing in the vulnerability of being rescued but I think that is the greater blessing in the end. To be helpless, dependent and to loose things is not easy or anything we want. It is a mini-death experience and a very difficult blessing to receive.
Today, we were enjoying our first Chiriqui Saddle Club breakfast meet. We all rode to the lovely Panamonte hotel for the most delicious breakfast. Horses munching grass outide and riders enjoying a splendid feast. Must make special mention of the complimentary strawberry and mint sherbet refresher. That was to die for, really really good and one of the best food surprises in Boquete in a while - thank you chef!
Half way through my fruit salad, we got an emergency call. Sadly, 20 goats and a little palomino horse were looking for a home. No food and they were starving. Very thin and ribs showing. One of the ladies has a 100 acre farm and agreed to take the goats, I agreed to take the horse. The fabulous truck driver Alexi, who helps ferrying all sorts of goods around town was on the end of his phone came to find us all at the Panamonte and agreed to help. Within an hour and half the little horse was in our paddock.
This is our second rescue animal. We also have a sweet yellow rescue dog. Our dog is the nicest dog I have ever had. Well behaved, happy to eat anything, happy to sleep on her little bed, just happy. Her name is Joy. The horse that arrived this afternoon is also a nice animal, not a reject but a loved and treasured friend. We don't even know his name yet but we have started feeding him up right away: Lots of hay, grass and sweet feed with minerals and oil.
So today, we rescued. I hope when the time comes I will have the grace to be rescued and have a rescuer. In the meantime, thoughts go out to the family who are suffering this loss and am grateful once again to my Education for Ministry friends for introducing me to the practice of theological reflection.