Magawa R.I.P.
Written by Rev. Dr. Scott Paczkowski
“For many are called, but few are chosen. ”
Magawa was a rat. No, I am not describing Magawa’s character. Magawa was a giant, eleven-pound, African pouched rat. He was pretty cute when you get beyond the name “rat.” Magawa became famous in Cambodia for being an expert explosives detector. According to Amy Cheng from the Washington Post, before dying at the age of 8 years, this rat “he helped clear more than 2.4 million square feet of land.” The explosives remained hidden after Vietnam War, with many being tripped by unexpected men, women, and children decades later. Magawa “detected 71 land mines and 39 items of unexploded ordnance as of June, when he retired.”
Cheng describes the Cambodian challenge, “In 2020, 65 people-nearly 30 percent of whom were children-were killed or maimed by an explosive in that country.” Over Magawa’s career, he saved untold lives. He was also cost-effective, not requiring a salary, but just good food and a warm cage. For children all over Cambodia, rats are no longer “dirty and diseased” but “latched onto the superhero.”
This story resonated with me for unknown reasons. Perhaps I empathized with this story because I like a good underdog story. Magawa was the first non-dog to receive Apopo’s coveted gold medal for bravery. Bravery because Magawa would scurry up to land mines, detecting them by smelling their destructive compounds. Even a rat can have unique qualities that can make a profound difference in the world.
Today, I will ask you to put yourself in the shoes of a rat. Oh, wait, empathize just enough to know that if God can use an eleven-pound rat to save hundreds of lives, just think what God can do with your life! God has a plan for you. Magawa has no idea the difference he made in the lives of so many people. So often, we do not know the difference made when we wake up in the morning. Prayerfully trust that God continues to use you in small and perhaps life-saving ways each day. Even if you do not receive a gold medal usually reserved for dogs, you are special!
