After Rose's departure to be with her precious Lord and Savior, it was with a sad and lonely heart that the missionary returned to their little home in Yulo, which they had enjoyed so much together. It seemed so empty, so lonely. He felt he couldn't bear to live alone there. Thinking of the Indian couple who had stayed there to take care of it during their absence in England, he asked them to stay on to help him. There was so much to do for the dear Indians, such as visiting and caring for their needs, spiritually and physically. Also he needed time for Bible study, much prayer and writing. It was a good arrangement.
After a time he remembered his wife's request that he visit his parents in New Zealand and her desire that he withdraw her money from the bank in San Francisco. He decided to carry out her wishes.
Around this same time he had occasion to be shopping in Vitichi and bought a newspaper which carried the report of dear Rose's death and funeral. Quite understandably he cut it out and placed it carefully in his wallet. The Lord was definitely guiding him in this in a very special way although he did not realize at the time how important this would be to him later on.
The first part of the trip to visit his family in New Zealand was by train to Chile. He had to wait there eight days before embarking on a German ship to take him to Panama City. It was a long time to wait, but every morning with his Bible in hand he would walk to the seaside and there read and watch the sea birds going back and forth, while inwardly a great struggle was going on. One morning he was so discouraged that he decided when he arrived home he would finish his medical course and forget all about Bolivia. It had too many sad memories for him.
But the sea birds fascinated him. He watched them going out to find food for themselves and returning every evening at exactly the same time, as if this were the only thing that mattered to them. What lesson was there in this display of God's order in His creation?
Finally, a verse in the precious Book he was holding in his hand came into his mind. Turning to it in Phil. 3:13-1413Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13‑14), he read, "This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Rose's request, made just before she went to be with the Lord, flashed back into his memory, "Do come back, Dear, to our beloved Incas. They need you." The struggle was over. The Lord gave him the victory. He bowed his head, asking the Lord to forgive him for even thinking of not returning to Bolivia. Next day he was able to embark on the ship going to Panama, and from there to New Zealand.