SAVED BY RAIN.

Our son, John, often accompanied his father when he visited sick villagers.

One day Mardi, Selamet and Untung joined them to enjoy the ride. Darkness fell rapidly as they stopped at the railway line, to wait for half an hour till the one night train passed. The barrier was down, they were alone, and only a silver gleam of light came from the thousands of fireflies in the rice fields.

While waiting the boys sang some of the Christian songs they had learned, yet so loudly that Selamet turned to Mardi, saying ‘Stop shouting’. Eventually the train passed by, barely 10 minutes late. When the barrier was lifted to allow them through, the car failed to start. It was dark and lonely: and frightening.

‘We’ll walk back into town for help’ offered John, while Selamet agreed.

‘No, John, it is too dark’ ruled his father.

‘O please, Dad, it’s not far. Untung and Selamet can come with me.’

‘No son, I won’t let you go, and father shook his head to impress them.

‘Oh, please Dad, we could all walk together,’ urged John.

While it sounded good to walk across the narrow foot-bridge, it was dark and dangerous. Just below the narrow, ricketty bridge was the rushing river. Not too safe in the daytime and worse at night. It was not too safe by day and worse at night, dad reflected as he firmly refused the boys’ offer. They were disappointed, but the onset of heavy rain settled the matter, as the boys scrambled back into the car. To their surprise, a jeep came alongside. The door opened, with the Major offering to tow our car home. Relieved, we arrived home safely with his help.

Next morning John came racing in with the news that last night the bridge broke and the flooded river swept it away. ‘I’m glad you stopped us, Dad, else we would have fallen though the rotting footbridge into the river.’

God looks after us in wonderful ways, using the rain to save Mardi, Untung, Selamet and John.

Fathers care for their children - and as God protected the boys from a broken bridge and possible drowning, He protects His children as we trust and obey HIM.