JOSE, a little South American Indian boy, was the son of a poor traveling musician. His father would often go away on long trips and not come back for many days. Much of his earnings he spent on rum so that he was a very poor man. He never had enough money to feed and clothe his family properly. His poor wife was sad and discouraged, for she did not know the Lord Jesus who is the Saviour and Friend of all who come to Him in their need.
One day, having grown tired of her miserable lot, Jose’s mother decided to go to the big city hoping she could find work there. Just at that time the father too went off on one of his long trips. Their poor little children were left alone. How sad and lonely they were and how often they wished that Mother would come back soon. Jose was cold and hungry in the little hut they called home, and many a night he cried himself to sleep waiting and longing for Mother to come back.
Finally one day he said to his brothers and sisters, “I’ve got to find Mother or I’ll die. I’m going to the big city.”
It was many days’ journey but Jose started off on foot. He trudged along day after day in the heat, sustained by the hope that he would soon find his mother.
One day he came in sight of the great city. A few more weary miles and he was there, footsore and tired. There were crowds of people, but they took no notice of a little poor barefoot boy. He wandered down one street and up another, wondering how he would ever find his mother in such a big place. Jose did not know the Lord Jesus, but he prayed very earnestly as he searched up and down the long rows of streets.
Days went by, and at last he found her. She was living in a little bamboo hut with other poor people like herself. Oh how glad she was to see Jose and she kissed him.
“Dear Mother,” said Jose, “I have come all this way to be with you. I want to find work and then I will help you.”
That night he discovered that his mother had another husband, and Jose’s new father did not take very kindly to him. Jose got a job but his earnings were very small. Still he was a good boy and he brought all he earned home to his mother. They were very poor and barely made a living.
The new father drank heavily and was very unkind to Jose. One day he said to him, “I’m tired of having you around. You can’t stay here any longer.”
Poor little Jose! How sad he felt to be cast out into the big world all alone! He did not know what it was to call on the Lord Jesus in his need. He knew not the comfort of the Scriptures, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:11<<To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth.>> God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1); or “call upon Me in the day of trouble. I will diver thee and thou shalt glorify Me.” Psalm 50:1515And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. (Psalm 50:15).
Still he did pray and the Lord Jesus heard the cry of the sad and lonely little Indian boy. One day he walked into a drug store and the druggist gave him a job. He was a good little worker, willing and obedient, and got along well with his boss.
Several years went by and he met Maria, a young lady who also worked for the druggist. Jose fell in love with her and wished to marry her.
But she told him, “I am a Christian, and you are not.”
Jose was so surprised. “Am I not a Christian?” he exclaimed. “I was baptized and went to church and prayed many times!”
“But that doesn’t make you a Christian,” returned Maria faithfully. “I learned to love the Lord Jesus as my Saviour and we pray only to Him. He hears our prayers and sends all we need. We go to a little mission and there we read and are taught to understand the Bible which is God’s Word.”
“Could I go there too?” asked Jose, touched by Maria’s simple testimony.
“You would have a hearty welcome,” answered Maria, for she loved to speak of Jesus to others.
Jose began to attend the meetings and it was not long before he felt his need of the Lord Jesus as his own Saviour. One day he got down on his knees and prayed, asking God to forgive his sins, and he was so happy when the Lord Jesus came and filled his heart. How changed his life was now! How he wished that his father and mother also loved Jesus. He continually prayed and asked God to save them too.
Jose and Maria were married and were very happy together now that they both loved the Lord Jesus. The druggist liked Jose and increased his wages. He studied for three years and was very happy in his home and at work. However, he and Maria had a longing to go back and tell his own people the story of Jesus’ love, to those who never heard before. One day he gave up his job and they both went to live in the jungles. They had just a poor little home, and could not afford the fine foods that we have on our tables, but they were very happy to tell their Indian people the blessed message of the gospel.
“We don’t mind if we don’t have nice things,” said Maria, “if only we can help these people to love our precious Saviour.”
ML-04/23/1972