Mango Tree Miracle
Our Friday began ordinary enough. Students were working, some were studying and we were teaching. It was after school that things took an unexpected turn. Most of our students came to us and asked if they could go home for the weekend, although it is not a home weekend. They all had good or helpful reasons for wanting to go...some wanted to get some of their friends and bring them here to study also, others wanted to get seeds to plant or more rice, so one by one we watched them walk away. Only four remained.
At lunch we were talking about maybe making bread for Sabbath. The students were enthusiastic, and asked if they could learn to make it too. Normally they go to the dorm to sleep in the afternoons since they get up so early, but instead they went to the kitchen to help us with the bread.
Pretty soon, just about everyone was up at the kitchen working on bread or sorting soybeans, or happily chatting away when the wind picked up and we could tell that rain was on the way. It felt wonderful, since the wind cooled things off considerably.
Suddenly, we heard it: snap! pop! We froze, then raced to the door in time to see the canopy of our gigantic mango tree crush our brand new just completed dorm/classroom building, totally demolishing it.
Our first silent reaction of horror was slowly replaced by the recognition of the miracle that had just happened. Normally, our new building is the place to be...either the kids are working there, or sleeping, or just visiting there, but today nobody was in it at all. We were all in the kitchen instead. We are all positive that God sent our students home this weekend, and that His protective hand was over all of us.
It seems that Satan is angry with what we are trying to do here. But it is so encouraging that God is helping and protecting us. "And we know that ALL things work together for good to them who love The Lord..."
In every situation, it seems God reminds us of a song that fits. This time the song He brought to mind is called "Gratitude." Somehow the depth of meaning in these words continues to deepen with our continued experiences in the mission field. For those unfamiliar with the song, we pray you are blessed and encouraged by the words:
"Send some rain, would You send some rain?
'Cause the earth is dry and needs to drink again,
And the sun is high and we are sinking in the shade.
Would You send a cloud, thunder, long and loud?
Let the sky grow black and send some mercy down;
Surely You can see we're thirsty and afraid.
"But maybe not, not today.
Maybe You'll provide in other ways,
And if that's the case...
We'll give thanks to You with gratitude
For lessons learned in how to thirst for You,
How to bless the very sun that warms our face
It You never send us rain.
"Daily bread, give us daily bread.
Bless our bodies, keep our children warm and fed;
Fill our cups, then fill them up again tonight.
Wrap us up, and warm us through,
Tucked away beneath our sturdy roofs;
Let us slumber safe from danger's view this time.
"Or maybe not, not today.
Maybe You'll provide in other ways,
And if that's the case...
We'll give thanks to You with gratitude -
A lesson learned to hunger after You -
That a starry sky offers a better view if no roof is overhead,
And if we never taste that bread.
"Oh, the difference that often lies between
All the things we really want, and what we really need.
"So grant us peace, Jesus, grant us peace!
Move our hearts to hear a single beat
Between alibis and enemies tonight.
"Or maybe not, not today.
Peace might be another world away,
And if that's the case...
We'll give thanks to You with gratitude
For lessons learned in how to trust in You,
That we're blessed beyond what we could ever dream,
In abundance or in need,
And if You never grant us peace.
"But, Jesus, would You, please."
Yes, we choose to thank Him for His continued miracles - including the laughter I hear coming from the clean-up crew. I'd better get busy and go help them!