Hark's assignment had begun when C.D., the recording angel, had appeared one day during heavenly choir practice.
"Hark! Hark!" C.D. called out. The heavenly choir had been practicing a lovely hymn of praise for a thousand years. This may seem like a very long time to practice a hymn. But God's clocks in heaven keep different time than ours on earth. A thousand years on earth is like a single day in heaven!
"Hark!" the recording angel called again.
Hark heard his name this time. He asked C.D. what he wanted. C.D. was holding Hark's heavenly backpack, a pair of funny-looking human shoes without toes or heels, and a bottle that said "insect spray."
"You'll need these, Hark," C.D. said cheerfully, helping him into the backpack. It took a few heavenly minutes (about twenty of our years) to get the straps over his wings.
"Where am I going?" Hark sputtered.
"You're going on another earthly assignment," C.D. laughed. "You did very well with the last one. So we decided you should collect some more missing facts for us."
Hark thought about his last trip to earth. That time he had gone to Holland to record the life of Corrie ten Boom.
"Am I going back to Holland?" he asked hopefully.
"No, you're going to Africa this time," C.D. told him. "That's why you need sandals and bug spray. Your feet aren't used to prickly thorns and scorpions underfoot. And no one likes mosquito bites."
"What are thorns and scorpions?" Hark asked with interest. "What's a mosquito?"
"Never mind," C.D. answered. "We'll put one of the Creator's books about earth in your backpack. You can read all about them on your journey. And here's the heavenly camera. You'll want to take lots of pictures."
"But, but -- of who?" sputtered Hark.
"Festo Kivengere," C.D. replied. He answered the little angel's question before it was even completed. "He's an African bishop."
"What's a bishop?" Hark wanted to know.
"A bishop is a shepherd . . . ."
"As in sheep?"
"Well, human sheep!"
"Oh! I see," Hark said with delight. "He looks after the King's flock. Sometimes people are like sheep. The bishop is like a shepherd who looks after them."
"That's right," C.D. replied. "Festo has been in heaven since the human year 1988. But there are a few parts of the record we still need to complete. That's your assignment!"
C.D. had pulled out the world globe. He was pointing to a part of Africa called Uganda.
"It's a beautiful place of wide, grassy plains and tall mountains," said C.D. "And there are brown, muddy rivers where the hippos live."
"Hippos?" asked Hark.
"They're animals that live in Africa," said C.D. with a smile. "Many, many amazing creatures live there. You may even see lions, giraffes, monkeys, or elephants. And the birds in Africa are some of the prettiest creatures God ever made."
"Lions?" Hark said, suddenly a little nervous. He remembered the story of Daniel in the lions den.
"I suggest you pick up a little bit about Festo's early years," C.D. said, changing the subject. "We need to know how he came to be a servant of the King in the first place."
"He must be a special servant," Hark said softly. He knew it wasn't often an angel was sent to collect details for the heavenly record. It only happened with heroes or heroines of the faith.
"I'm pleased you chose me," Hark said, smiling. "I'll try to do my best."
"Angels always do their best," C.D. replied. "But you'll need to be strong. Some parts of Festo's earthly life were filled with danger."
"What kind of danger?" Hark asked, growing nervous again.
Instead of answering, C.D. halted a fast-moving cloud that was floating past heaven's door. "Hop on this cloud, Hark," he suggested. "You can use it like a heavenly escalator!"
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Jill Briscoe has an active speaking and writing ministry that has taken her to many countries. She has written more than 40 books, including study guides, devotional material, poetry, and children's books.
Jill is executive editor of Just Between Us Just Between UsJust Between Us , a magazine of encouragement for ministry wives and women in leadership. She serves on the board of World Relief and Christianity Today, Inc.
A native of Liverpool, England, Jill launched into youth evangelism after becoming a Christian at age 18. She married her husband, Stuart, in 1958, and since then they have ministered together through Telling the Truth Telling the TruthTelling the Truth media ministries at conferences and mission organizations around the world. They reside in suburban Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where Stuart completed 30 years of ministry as senior pastor of Elmbrook Church. Both Stuart and Jill now serve Elmbrook as ministers-at-large. They have 3 children, David, Judy, and Peter, and enjoy the blessing of 13 grandchildren.
Jill and Stuart call suburban Milwaukee, Wisconsin their home. When they are not traveling, they spend time with their three children, David, Judy and Peter, and thirteen grandchildren.