African Scenes and Symbols

By Helen M. Roberts

Africa’s startling beauty and variety fascinates tourists who respond with zillions of photographs. Mrs. Roberts responded with thoughtful meditations where she shared the thoughts of God shown in scenes such as the mile-wide majesty of Victoria Falls, “Moisi ya Tunya” the smoke that thunders, and the awkwardness of the “tree of life,” the baobab that grows on hot, dry invisible underground water. African Scenes and Symbols, a book of photos and meditations, opens deeper meanings in African landscapes and life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Jan 1, 1965
• ISBN: 9781626759848

Book preview

Him.

Dawn in the Ruwenzori Mountains

Ruwenzori, Congo

My heart is ready, 0 God, my heart is steadfast! I will sing, I will sing praises.

Awake, my soul.

Awake, 0 harp and lyre!

I will awake the dawn. Psalm 57:7-8.

But I will sing of thy might,

I will sing aloud of thy steadfast love in the morning. Psalm 59:16.

Awake, my soul! Awake from the dullness of insensitivity. Awake to the glory of the fleeting dawn! Every morning’s dawn is different. Every morning brings new experiences. So awake, my soul! Be ready with quickened anticipation.

This is the precious moment. The rocky peaks of the Ruwenzori Mountains are silhouetted against the cool dawn of the tropics. The first rays of the sun rising behind these Mountains of the Moon are tinting the crags with ever-changing colors. Feel the hush of expectancy! The dark little stream cascading from snow-capped mountains through dense rain forest, is singing quietly over the rocks at my feet.

At this moment the first shaft of gold peers over the peak and casts its radiant magic on the singing river. Every little ripple, cascade and waterfall reflects the splendour of the new-born day.

In a moment the full stream of light illumines the entire countryside.

The nearby African village sends out its workers like a stream of ants. Already the wisps of cloud are gathering to weave a new garment to clothe the mountain-top. Long before most of the visitors awaken from sleep, the Mountains of the Moon will be completely concealed. Among the visitors one hears the complaint, I have travelled thousands of miles for a glimpse of the famous Ruwenzori, but I've failed to see anything but clouds.

Awake, my soul! Awake, 0 harp and lyre!

I will awake the dawn.

O loving Father, Almighty Creator of beauties beyond my imagination, awaken my soul today! Awaken it to the joyous song of birds in the early morning, to the singing brook, the rustling leaves, the glory of the sunrise and the warmth of the earliest rays over the mountains. Whether I live in Africa or America, awaken my soul to see the message of Thy creation. Help me to see Thy infinite care revealed in the smallest pebble as well as the highest mountain. Help me to experience Thy presence from dawn to dawn throughout all my days.

Sojourner

Masai Men, Kenya

For I am thy passing guest, a sojourner, like all my fathers. Psalm 39:12.

The Masai are among the most picturesque tribes of East Africa. Clinging to many of the ancient traditions, they are proud of their tribal culture. Until recently they scorned most of the characteristics of Western civilization and preferred their own ways of living and dressing. They have been a nomadic people, roaming with their vast herds of cattle from place to place. Formerly fierce warriors, they now love to dance and sing to re-tell the exploits of their tribe. Since they have become interested in education, they show themselves as friendly, eager, charming individuals.

Like these Masai, we are also nomads, passing guests, sojourners in this life on earth. When our span of life here is finished, we make the transition to new pastures. Like the Masai nomads in their search for new pastures, our move to the life beyond is part of the eternal plan.

Our sojourn has been interestingly portrayed in Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress. We go through experiences of joy and sorrow, high hopes and great disappointments, success and failure. Sometimes we may even linger in Pilgrim’s Slough of Despond. Yet throughout this pilgrimage it is unnecessary to continue in this slough. It is unnecessary to be depressed by a sense of sin and guilt, because God has provided a way of escape. He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Our forgiveness includes removal of the sense of guilt. He remembers them no more. With such complete forgiveness and blotting out of our past records, we have only to accept the cleansing we have asked for and received. Then we can continue our life unhampered by guilt and failure, because God has removed our transgressions from us.

During our sojourn we are not only cleansed of our sins and failures, but given new strength, new discernment, new guidance for the rest of our journey.

The Goal

Kenya Coast

I leave the past behind and with hands outstretched to whatever lies ahead I go straight for the goal – my reward the honour of my high calling by God in Chris Jesus. Philippians 3:14.

Graceful coconut palms grow in abundance in the coastal areas of East Africa. At a new Youth Camp, a young African volunteered to climb the palm to cut down some of the immature coconuts (dafu), which are full of milk.