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I recalled God’s faithfulness during the 1980’s worldwide recession when donations to the international missions organization I was serving as a home staff were unsurprisingly low. For six months, all incoming contributions were prioritised for overseas’ use.

In that time, the local staff’s quarterly stipend was suspended. I was walking around with less than a dollar in my wallet, and even public transport was inconceivably out of reach. All our motor vehicles were grounded, except for emergency use. Walking 10 to 15 km was a norm whenever errands needed to be made from the organisation’s home office.

Deputation work, nevertheless, continued normally. No public mention was ever made on the mission’s financial status. Only the daily incense of prayer each morning went up to our heavenly Father. God’s faithfulness prevailed as always. Food parcels arrived at the office regularly to be shared among the permanent staff.

A quiet trust in God saw us through this testing time. When we moved into our new overseas placement, our home was 30 metres across from the local prayer hall. Activities throughout the day were amplified through their loudspeaker system. A month later, the loudspeaker was repositioned in our direction and prayers were offered for our conversion!

The boldness of these declarations surprised us but we took it in our stride as part of our cultural and linguistic adjustments. One morning, before the crack of dawn, I stood at our doorway savouring the fresh morning air, when a sudden prayer impulse challenged my faith.

My request was for the hall’s sound system to be silenced. From that day, the broadcasts ceased. A week later, the system was completely rewired, but still no sound emanated from it. A month later, a new amplifier was installed, and yet, still no audible transmissions.

Several attempts in the ensuing years to restore the system failed. In fact, for the rest of our stay, we had quietness and peace. One day, we shall have the full story of events from the invisible realm's perspective. One of our prayer partners while we were on an overseas assignment was my maternal grandmother.

When she was in her 80s, being an independent lady who was widowed as a young mother, she sold her apartment and checked herself into an old folks’ home. In the middle of our stint abroad, while we were on a short two week’s holiday, a voice urgently prompted one morning, “Go and visit your grandma, today!” When we arrived at the home, she was excited to see us, “I’m so happy to be able to see you today.

Now I can go home!” At the time, I was puzzled by what she had said. She was in her 90s, nevertheless she was sprightly and mentally alert, and fully cognizant of her surroundings. Three days later, news arrived that she had suddenly passed on. We were thankful for that last visit and for her supportive role in prayer.

About Coram Deo

Coram Deo — before the face of God. This blog reflects on Scripture, world events, science, music, psychology, and the human mind — always through the lens of Christian faith. All of life is lived before the face of God.