Mosquitos were a problem on our Mission trip in the
Dominican Republic. It is an island and we were never far from the ocean, less
than a mile most of the time. We all brought something to protect us from
mosquitos.
I found interesting the lengths to which some went to avoid
mosquitos. Some brought big cans of spray for their rooms. Most brought bottles
of repellent containing the chemical Deet.
Some had creams to spread all over and sprays they used for their
clothes to keep them away. Someone heard that bathing in lice shampoo would
keep them away. We were willing to try almost anything.
As I got ready for the trip I set out a repellent cream to
pack and then remembered something a pharmacist told me before my first trip to
Africa. He said B vitamins would make my skin taste bad to mosquitos and worked
as good as any repellent. I could not remember which B vitamin I needed so I
bought a bottle that had a generous portion of all of them and took them along.
When I got to the DR I opened my suitcase. I searched every
nook and could not find any repellent cream. How could I have left such an
important item at home? All I had brought were the B vitamins.
I took the vitamins and for the first few days bummed
repellent from other people. I soon discovered that when I did not use
repellent I was not bothered by mosquitos any more than when I used repellent.
Some people sprayed and creamed so much they walked around
in a cloud and still complained about being eaten up by mosquitos. I told some
about the vitamins but nobody wanted any. One said he heard it did not really
work. Mosquitos still found me but not many or often. My internal solution
worked better for me than the external ones.
Mosquitos are a lot like sin. External cures for sin are
everywhere. People try works, strange religions, and Psychology. Many just
accept it as normal and let sin rule their lives causing damage to themselves
and those around them. There is a cure. It is an internal one.
John 1:12 says about Jesus, “But as many as received Him, to
them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in
His name.” Some will say it does not work but if you trust Jesus you will find
His salvation will work for you.
Bro. Robin
