“God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform.”
So wrote William Cowper, the Christian poet, who had but lately experienced the overruling hand of God in mercy in his own life. Anything can serve His might. He may be pleased to use the most unusual and unlikely means or circumstances to accomplish His purpose to care for and bless His own.
In 1964 there was a rebellion in the Belgian Congo, now known as Zaire. Rebel native soldiers overran the country, looting and murdering wherever they went. Mission stations were seized, looted of everything of value, and left desolate. People fled for their lives but many Christians were murdered in the terrible riots.
Missionaries were advised to leave their stations and evacuate themselves into neighboring Uganda. So some arranged themselves into a caravan of families and drove to the Congo-Uganda border exit. The rebels were close on their heels, just a few hours journey behind them, and they prayed that the Congolese officials on the border would allow them to get out of the country as quickly as possible. They took for their text from God’s Word, Matt. 10:2323But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come. (Matthew 10:23): “When they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another"; and their faith was strong in what they were doing—they believed it was God’s will for them at that time.
At last, tired and nervous, they arrived at the border and stated that they wished to cross into Uganda. The border guards talked among themselves, and then told the weary travelers they could not leave the country. No reason was given and nothing that was said could make the officials change their mind.
Puzzled and perplexed the missionaries all went to a mission near the border, concerned lest the rebels should catch up with them and murder them, burning down the station as well. Calmly they prayed to God to guide, direct and protect them. So near escape, and yet hindered! The big question was “Why?”
As they prayed and wondered a young missionary lady arrived. She had a smile which almost became a grin on her face. How could anyone smile in a situation like this?
Then she told her story. She, too, had been turned back at the border and no reason given. Her baggage had been searched and the guards took several cakes of “chocolate.” However, the “chocolate” contained medicine which if taken in large enough doses would prove disastrous and render the unsuspecting individuals “hors de coat”—out of action. She had warned the guards of the direful consequences of eating the chocolate, but they did not believe her. They said she was just trying to keep all the chocolate for herself, and before her eyes they devoured all the “chocolate” she had in her suitcase. Knowing what the result would be she could not keep from smiling.
Next morning all the missionaries again made for the border exit. Only one guard was on duty. The rest were all sick at home, they were told. The missionaries smiling said they were sorry so many guards were ill and without any further hindrances they all crossed the border into safety.
Truly God’s ways are not our ways. “He knoweth best, who loveth best.”
ML-04/22/1979