WHEN YOU PASS THROUGH THE WATERS- I WILL BE WITH YOU.

It was a rare luxury to sit by the fire together on a cold June evening, my husband preparing his bible study and I knitting.  The telephone interrupted the peace, which Harrold answered, while I knitted contentedly. My husband excited me, whispering ‘Singapore calling.’

Our son, John, a missionary with Pioneers in Malang, East Java, Indonesia, had been heading for Bangkok to a conference for World Vision.  ‘Just like our son to call from Singapore’, I mused, waiting for the news. Excitement gave way to apprehension as my husband repeated John’s words.

I caught the message,’ Accident.  Eye lost.  One of their girls.’ Stunned, I barely heard the rest of the message as my husband encouraged our son, prayed with him, asking him to confirm details on the following day, and rang off.

Next day, a call from John gave us more details. While John had been travelling to Singapore, his younger daughter, Adele, 4 ½, at home in Malang, while playing at the side of the house had tripped, falling on the bolt of their front gate, and piercing her left eye.   Sandy, John’s wife took the precious child in her arms, applying ice to the wounded eye.  Their Indonesian neighbour unexpectedly returned home at this time, offering his Jeep to rush Adele to the hospital. Surgery was essential to preserve the other eye.  Removal of the severely injured eye was performed under local anaesthetic, because in her deep shock, a general one was out of the question. 

This distressing account greeted John on his return from Singapore, having cancelled his visit to Bangkok.  John and Sandy were passing through flood waters.

‘Daddy cuddled me in his strong arms and cried ‘cos he was so glad I was alive’. Adele told me later when she came to stay with us, and told of her Daddy visiting her in the hospital.

Soon John rang to say the family of four were coming down in a few days to stay with us, seeking specialist care, and the fitting of a prosthesis. As Mother, I listed all that was necessary for their stay with us. (1) Unpack their winter clothes, stacked in cupboards, boxes and cases; (2) Wash woollen jumpers; (3) Buy warm pyjamas for John and Sandy; (4) Let down hems for Simone, (7 years old) and Adele (4 ½ years old); (5) Make a warm dressing gown for Simone; (6) Wash six flannelette sheets in storage; (7) Gather enough blankets; (8) Change rooms to fit all in; (9) Make beds;   (10) buy extra clothes; (11) Cook biscuits and cakes; (12) purchase extra food (13) clean home etc. etc.
Oh dear! The enormous task overwhelmed me. ‘When you pass through the waters.’

I had only five days to Saturday to work through my list, which I checked.  How could I do it all in such a short time?  Impossible, for while caring for this dear family, we were preparing for two weddings of our dear daughters. I sat down and cried.  After a good weep, I dried my eyes, watching the postman drop letters in our postbox. I hurriedly collected them, including the roll of copies of ’Christian woman’ unexpectedly early. I glanced over the titles, expecting to read them over lunch. The title of the poem ’Casting all your care’ impressed me. I read,’ for I must not go on bearing all the troubles I have told when upon my Saviour’s shoulders all my burdens I have rolled’.  That was me! I read to the end, ’I have learned to trust in Jesus and commit my ways to Him.

‘Lord, That’s just for me - and I need help now,’ I said. I read the verses again, comforting and challenging, as right there I rolled all my cares and concerns on the Lord, knowing He would help me. Surprisingly, as I glanced at the author, I read my own name, having written that article ten years previously. Those verses comforted and encouraged me that Tuesday morning when almost overwhelmed.
As I totally cast my burden on the Lord, He took away my concern, assuring me of His gracious help even with that impossible list. 

How true!  God opened the windows of heaven.  Friends literally showered us with oranges, apples, mandarins, jam, while committee members brought cake, tarts and biscuits.   Other unloaded warm clothes, sweets and gifts for the children, electric blankets to compensate for the mid-winter after the tropics; offers to iron clothes, more and more. God cared in good measure.  

How did the editor choose the poem that specifically comforted me that morning?  God was the only answer.

‘Cast your care upon Him for He cares for you.’ (1 Peter 5:7) 

I was able to prepare everything, with my husband and family’s help; ready to greet the dear ones at the airport, assured of God’s love and care for us and them.
Truly, the Scripture says, ’When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the floods they shall not overwhelm you’ (Isaiah 43).

GWENDA