Hello, my name is Zacko. I am 39 years old. For those who do not know, every human year equals three years for a donkey. I served in the Malinke project for about thirteen years or more. I lost my partner, Zinia, about two years ago. I miss her so much.

My job is to haul water for my teammates. I love my teammates, and I enjoy carrying water for them. My teammates love me and care for me.

Some have come and gone. With my new teammates, my job description has changed. My new teammates drilled a well, and they have abundant water. So now I haul agricultural materials and firewood for soap-making and cooking in Mannicoura.

The Book of Job tells us that people must live in harmony with animals and seek to learn from their wise and mysterious ways of living. Scientists have also proven that some animals can understand spoken language.

Many animals love, bond with and understand humans. In Numbers 22:22-38, our Creator God gives an account of the prophet Balaam, his donkey and the Angel of the Lord. The Angel of the Lord was furious with the evil actions of the prophet, who wanted to mislead God’s people and curse them. As Balaam rode the donkey on his way to carry out evil plans, the donkey saw the Angel of the Lord three times with His sword drawn. Each time, the donkey prevented Balaam from continuing on his way, and Balaam struck the donkey each time.

Finally, “The LORD opened the donkey’s mouth, and she said to Balaam, ‘What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?’

“Balaam answered the donkey, ‘You have made a fool of me. If I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now.’

“So the donkey said to Balaam, ‘Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden, ever since I became yours, to this day? Was I ever disposed to do this to you?’

“And he said, ‘No.’

“Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand; and he bowed his head and fell flat on his face. And the Angel of the Lord said to him, ‘Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out to stand against you, because your way is perverse before Me. The donkey saw Me and turned aside from Me these three times. If she had not turned aside from Me, surely I would also have killed you by now, and let her live.’”

Our Creator God is certainly merciful.

As Alfred A. Montapert, an American engineer, philosopher and author, says, “Animals are reliable, many full of love, true in their affections, predictable in their actions, grateful and loyal. Difficult standards for people to live up to.”

But friends, I believe people can do it. I know you can. Love an animal today.

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