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God Guided with an Unerring Hand
Many times God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform. All
we need to do is to keep completely sold out to the will of God,
willing at all times to let Him have His own way. If there is
anything drawing us from the will of God, He can never work out His
full plan in our lives; but if our surrender is complete, we need
have no fear. He will accomplish all He has designed to accomplish
in and through us.
Surrendered, yes, fully surrendered,
To Father's most Holy will;
Where rest, sweet holy rest unbroken
Sweeps over my soul each day.
Selling out to God brings a soul rest, a peace that cannot be
disturbed by exterior things.
In July of 1943, I felt a heavy burden on my heart to open a home
for poor children in Havana. During my years of labour in the
mission work here, I had suffered keenly at seeing so many homeless
little children begging in the streets; sleeping at night on benches
in the city parks or in doorways; in the rain and chill of the
nights. At last I felt God wanted us to stretch out our hands to
help save these helpless little ones. We began praying about it and
I felt directed to go to Florida for advice from a few of the
ministers before taking such a step. Plans had begun to form in my
mind and these I freely laid before the brethren there and met their
hearty approval. On leaving Cuba I planned on being back in eight
days. That was during the time when we had to travel from one
country to another with passports, so as I left the plane in Miami
my passport was taken up and I was told to call at the passport
department in the Post Office when I was ready to return to Cuba,
and get the passport there. A "claim check" was given me for it, so
when I was to return, I went to the passport office and presented
the claim check. Imagine my surprise when told I had no passport
there. I referred to my claim check, and they only calmly replied
that they knew it should have been there but that it was not.
Nothing could be done about it, but to wait. I waited just three
months before my lost passport came to light. Knowing my ways had
been committed to the Lord, and being assured that "He was
abundantly able to keep what I had committed to Him," I decided to
calmly wait, and went about doing what I could for souls from day to
day. In the meantime, I planned and prayed much about the Children's
Home. Having but little money with me, I at last found myself
entirely without funds. While in this condition, I received a letter
from a Sister in a far off state, saying she had heard I was
thinking of opening a home for destitute children, and that she was
interested and would like for me to go to see her. Knowing the trip
would be an expensive one, and having money, I decided to write to
her thanking her for her letter but explaining the impossibility of
making the trip. This same day I visited a dear woman who had lost
her husband during the time I was held there in Miami. I spent the
afternoon with her and before leaving there; she slipped an envelope
into my hand. When I opened it I found I had the price of my passage
to the western state to which I had been invited. Two days later God
witnessed to my heart that the money was for that purpose, so I went
right to the railway station to book up for my trip. I was staying
in the home of Brother Oval Cunningham in Miami at that time and as
I told them what I was going out for, his reply was, "You will
possibly have to book up and wait a month." This would have been
true if God had not been planning. But as I stood in line waiting at
the ticket window, a passage for Oklahoma City (the city I was
booking for) was cancelled and I bought it. This was Saturday night,
and I was to take the train leaving Monday morning. When I arrived
in Oklahoma City I was given a telegram that had been waiting for me
there. It was from Brother Cunningham in Miami telling me that my
passport had arrived there the morning I left. God let it be lost to
hold me there, so he could work out many things for the future of
the Children's Homes. The letter from this sister, inviting me to
her home to talk over the plans for the Homes, came in the morning
of the same day in which God had moved on a kind heart to supply
means for the fare. But he did not let me feel this burden for two
days, or I would have booked up, with many days for room in the
train. He made His will known at the very time when a passage was to
be cancelled. Praise our God! Because of having been kept away so
long from the work in Cuba, I would have rushed over the very day
after getting my passport, had not God so perfectly arranged things
that I found myself there in Oklahoma instead. He who was raising up
a staunch friend for the Children's work, kept the passport away
until I left for the west. How marvelous are His thoughts towards
us, and His ways are past finding out. Read Psalm 139:17-18 and
Psalm 40:5.
I remained only one day and night with this newfound friend and
sister, and we freely talked over plans for opening a home for
destitute children. I saw this good saint was much touched as she
learned of the conditions that existed here, making it necessary for
many homeless little ones in Cuba to live in the streets and to beg
for food. Although no definite promise of help was made, I left that
home feeling assured that my steps had been ordered of the Lord, and
that this aged Sister was going to, in some way, fill a place in
God's plans for the children's home. When our ways are committed to
the Lord, He will lead us in a plain path--that His name may be
glorified.
Our First Steps
Soon after returning to Cuba, from the trip just mentioned we opened
the children's home in one of our own mission houses--in Santa Fe.
From the time our hearts first felt definitely burdened to reach
forth a helping hand to the destitute children of this city (Havana)
we earnestly prayed as did David of old "Teach me thy way, oh Lord,
and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies" Psalm 27:11.
Feeling how great the undertaking was, and knowing that if we
stepped forward even a good work, going ahead of the Lord or without
His Divine Leadership, we could not be sure of His provision and His
protection, both of which we must have if the work was to succeed.
Therefore we steadily looked to Him for guidance. One day I received
a check for $10.00 specified clearly "For children's work." This was
laid away and in a few days I had $28.00 in the "Special children's
fund." This amount of $28.00 is what the work of the Children's
Homes was begun with. Some donations of clothing and beds came in
and on February 10th, the 1tHome" was opened and fifteen children
were admitted on that day. Policemen brought the most of them from
the streets, and to show God's greatness, I might mention that we
had no food supplies on hand for the first meal. In cash, we had
only $1.00. No one knew of it but the workers and we just trusted in
God--the Father of these little ones. Late in the afternoon a
Catholic lady came to the door bringing a dozen hot rolls for the
children and on the tray underneath the rolls lay a dollar bill. A
few moments later, another lady called bringing a good supply of
oranges and bananas for the little ones. Thus God put His Seal on
the Homes and from that day to the present, with now a family of 106
children and four workers beside myself, God still supplies our
daily needs.
We have sometimes been tested almost to the last hour, but before
time for the food to be served, the Lord would move in some way and
have it there ready. What a mighty God we do serve and what
wonderful things could be accomplished in the work of the Master if
only Christian people everywhere would learn to take Him at His
Word; and resting on His Divine Promise, move forward in His service
giving Him an opportunity of manifesting His compassion and His
power in the world. Personally, I am fully convinced that one reason
why we do not see more people moved to seek the Lord is that they
have not seen enough of the Divine miraculous working power of the
Master to be drawn to Him. Did not Jesus say, "And if I be lifted up
from the earth, I will draw all men unto me?" Come let us "lift the
Saviour up" that the world may see Him as He is in reality.
God Supplied Definitely for Buying the First Home
From our first day in the little home we had opened for destitute
children, we saw clearly that God had a larger plan for our
activities among the children. We began definitely praying for Him
to move on hearts and open the way for us to buy a larger place
where we could open the doors to rescue many of Havana's destitute,
homeless little ones. The dear Lord began answering prayer in a
marvelous way. Although no appeal was made for funds, we soon had
$7,000.00 in our Children's Home Building Fund. With this in hand,
we began searching for a place, and after some days we found a
beautiful place, a site of about seven acres of land, well spotted
over with fine fruit trees, and with a large substantial brick
house. The place was held at $12,000.00 (twelve thousand dollars).
After much prayer, feeling God was definitely directing in the
matter, we purchased it. The owner was willing for us to make a down
payment of the $7,000.00 we had in hand, and he would then accept
the other $5,000.00 in monthly payments; but we let him know that we
preferred to do a cash business and that he could expect cash.
However, we accepted his kind offer to let us go right away at
making alterations. While getting the place ready, we held on to
God's promises in a definite way. Has He not said, "If ye abide in
me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask whatsoever ye will, and
it shall be done unto you." John 15:7. He knew we had here a little
group of saints who were abiding in Him and His Word was abiding n
them, so united, we prayed that God would get to us before the time
that had been fixed for the transaction of this business, the full
amount needed so we could pay cash and be able to meet fully our
obligation. God's word declares, "Heaven and earth shall pass away,
but my word shall not pass away" Matthew 24:35. We therefore
believed right through to victory. We were tested to the last day,
but on that morning a brother went to the Post Office to get our
mail, as the postman would leave the office. On his return, he
brought the $5,000.00 in full. Praise our God! Oh what a time of
melting before the Lord! We had not tongue enough with which to
praise Him that afternoon as we transacted the business. We had a
wonderful opportunity there, of exalting the name of the Lord before
a group of men who knew nothing of the power of God to answer prayer
and we did not hesitate to do so. This check came from the sister in
Oklahoma whom I had visited while being held in the States because
of my passport being lost. "All things work together for good to
them that love the Lord, to them who are the called according to His
purpose" Rom. 8:28. God had planned my delay in the States to work
out one of His great plans in my life and in the work in Cuba. This
new Home was dedicated and opened to the public just two months and
seven days after we had opened the doors of our little mission in
Santa Fe, and had there admitted our first fifteen children. When
the work of God is under the full control of a "board of men" no
matter how good they may be, the work can go forward only as fast as
they can supply funds for it; but when a work is left entirely in
the hands of God and moves forward under the direction of the Holy
Spirit it has an opportunity to grow and to expand. So as we leaned
on the Lora and followed Him, He gently but surely led us forward,
accomplishing His own will.
Our Mission Home Building in Havana
Although our new Home was wonderful, it was not long before we
realized clearly that although the children's work could at that
time be cared for, the general mission work was beginning to suffer.
I had lived for some thirteen years in a more central part of the
city, and the Mission House (my home) was the center of activities.
There, the ministers and workers had freely come with their problems
and together we connected and prayed. But as I had to move into the
Children's Home to he able to direct it, the ministers and workers
were being deprived of this blessing, as there was absolutely no
place where we could be alone with them. We knew this would greatly
affect the mission work in general. A place must be had where the
general office work of the mission could he carried on and where
workers from over the island could be received and helped.
Again we laid our problem before the Lord, and once more He came to
our aid. No public appeals were made for financial help, but the day
soon came when we were again brought to our knees in gratitude to
Him who never fails to answer the prayer of faith. "If we know that
He heareth us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petition
that we had desired of Him." 1 John 5:15. God enabled us to build,
right beside the children's home, a good apartment containing the
general Missionary Office and living rooms for the missionaries.
Praise our God for His loving kindness and His marvelous works. His
ways are truly past finding out. The seasons of inspirational
fellowship that have been enjoyed in this building have sent their
influence out far and wide. The hours spent there in group prayer
services have uplifted our work throughout Cuba and other countries.
Thank God for our little Missionary Home.
Our Girls' Home
During the first two years in our Children's Home, we had the boys
downstairs and the girls upstairs in the building. But as time went
on we knew we could not do proper work among them unless we could
completely separate the boys from the girls. We were so overcrowded
at that time that we were having~ to turn away some very needy
cases. Prayer once more prevailed. We presented before the Father of
these orphans, the urgent need of another home. We planned on
building but as time went on, we clearly saw the impossibility of
this, as the cost of building materials was so extremely high, and
many materials were almost impossible to secure even if we had the
money. This need grew more and more into a heavy burden on some of
our hearts. We cried mightily unto the Lord and He heard us and
delivered us. "Call upon me in the day of trouble, and I will
deliver you." God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in
trouble. Psalm 46:1 Since building was not possible, what could we
do? One day early in the morning, I was sitting on the front
verandah in meditation and prayer, and this was the outstanding
burden of my thoughts. At last I cried out of my very soul, "Oh, my
Father, do something for us. Direct our steps in this important
matter." Immediately, the answer came through the voice of the
spirit of God, "Why don't you buy the lovely home next door?" The
home next door--we did not know that home was for sale. How could we
have the thought of buying it? But the voice that had spoken was
unmistakably that of God's spirit, and He is all-wise and makes no
mistakes. In a few moments, I sent someone to ask the owner if they
were wanting to sell, and the answer was that they would consider an
offer. Promptly, three of us went over to look through the house and
we were soon convinced that this was all in God's plan. On asking
what the price was for the place, the owner replied, "Nothing less
than $10,000.00." This was the amount we had in our building fund
for the Home. Praise God forever! Before noon of the same day, we
had all the papers in the hands of a good lawyer to make sure that
everything was clear. Two days later we purchased and paid cash for
the place. This added a few more acres to our farm, and this
property lay side by side with the grounds of our first Home—both
facing to the front on the same public highway--with the mission
house and office which had been built the year before, located
between the two Homes. None but God could have planned so
wonderfully. Trusting God to finish what He had begun, we moved
forward planning alterations and also a large addition, and as we
worked God worked with us supplying everything needed. On the last
day of November 1946, we had a blessed time as large numbers of
Christian brethren and friends gathered in to witness the "opening"
of the door to our Second Children's Home. As the door swung open,
the girls who had long waited for their home, with radiant faces and
happy hearts, rushed through the door without any ceremony, taking
possession of what God had prepared for them. The boys with no less
joy, rushed back to enjoy a freedom in their Home that had been
hitherto impossible. From that day we were able to work more
effectively than ever before.
The Nursery for Babies
Having several babies brought into the first Children's Home, we
separated one room and filled it with only babies. The little ones
were cared for in the general Home the best possible, until we had
our second home ready to move the girls into. It was then decided to
remove the little tots over in the new girls' Home as the older
girls were already taking much care of them. However, there were
many dangers for the little ones, while living in this home--stair
steps, etc., so we began again talking to the dear Lord about the
need of a separate Home for infants from a few months of age up to
six years of age. The more we considered it and the more we prayed
about it, the more we were concerned and convinced that this was
also in God's great plan. So we prayed on until prayer again
prevailed. How marvelous it is that God never grows weary of our
oft' approach to His throne bringing before Him the burdens of our
hearts. Praise His Holy Name forever. We selected the building site
and prayed on. The day of victory came in mid-summer of the year
1948, and came in a very unexpected way. A nice gift came from dear
Mother Emma Meyers, who recently went home to her reward. Mother
Meyers had been a faithful minister in the true Church of God for
over 50 years. It just seemed to thrill us all as we planned to use
her gift for the erection of the nursery building. Although we
endeavor to do all our building work as economically as possible,
still as the building work went on, it seemed that every workman
tried to beautify it as much as possible, as it was to be a shelter
for some of God's little lambs. When the building was done, it was
lovingly dedicated to our beloved Mother Meyers, and the group of
little ones sheltered there will early in life have their little
minds filled with pure heavenly thoughts. It would melt your hearts
to tears if you could know how some of these babies have been
rescued. Could you know the condition of some of their little bodies
when they came to us, and then see them as they are today, you would
cry out, "What a mighty God we serve."
Little Marcelino was brought to us at the age of one year, and he
was nothing but skin and bones. The mother, having tuberculosis,
could not give him the breast and she was so poor she could not buy
milk for him and he had been fed only with water drained from rice.
We took the little bundle in our arms, and breathed a prayer for
help. Shortly after this baby was admitted to the Home, three
doctors having heard of the case, came to the institution asking
permission to examine the baby. Permission was given, and after they
examined it, they frankly told us that its bones were like chalk
(and it had no teeth), and that it would never be able even to sit
up in bed. They said it would just keep in bed, a helpless bundle.
They also said it would be an idiot as its little brain had not
developed. I told them we had taken the child in Christ's Name, and
that He could make of it what He wanted it to be. About a year and a
half later, one of these same doctors was passing the Home and he
came in to greet us and see how that body was. I wish you all could
have seen the doctor when I called a boy and sent him out to bring
in from his sleep, little Marcelino. It was difficult to convince
him that this was the same child, not a drop of medicine being given
to him. Only good care and much fervent prayer were provided and
today this little boy is one of our healthiest, happiest little ones
in the nursery. He is in Kindergarten and learning with the others,
and the best of all, he is learning to pray and is being guided
gently in the ways of truth and righteousness. |
