Ruth Scheltema

Becoming a Jungle Pilot Ruth Scheltema

Growing up on a farm as a boy wasn't easy and sometimes even dangerous for Hank. Filling the tall silo with chopped cornstalks was always hot and sweaty, so he and his friend decided to push their hayforks into the pile and climb down for a cool drink. On the way down the ladder, Hank heard a noise from above. He looked up to see a pitchfork falling straight at him. He pressed himself tightly against the ladder, ducked his head under one arm, and screamed, "Watch out below!" The falling pitchfork whizzed past Hank, but his friend, now on the ground, didn't have time to step back out of harm's way. The pitchfork slammed into his skull and knocked him to his knees. It was the hardest thing Hank had ever done, but with his heart hammering, he grabbed the fork with two hands and yanked it from his friend's head. Helping his friend lay out on the ground, he ran to get help. This fearful accident that might have threatened his own life caused Hank to question, "What if that happened to me? Why did God spare my life.?" Read and find the answer to God's plan for Hank. Note to layout: If possible, I would like to use a picture from the book--the picture of a boy coming down the ladder of a silo with another boy at the bottom of the ladder.