Quiet Strength - Book I, Love's Mission
Page 4
Chapter Four: Closed Windows to an Open Door
Two weekends after visiting Amy’s church, Bill found himself in a pretty little town over the border of Kentucky. A country church south of town caught his eye. It had been remodeled with a large addition of sided exterior walls attached to the original brick building. All evidence of construction was gone with the exception of a neatly stacked pile of 2x4’s in the back parking lot. The landscaping was perfect with not one sign of trash or weeds anywhere. “Someone really cares about this church,” he said to himself. He heard a soft voice that he had heard so many times before, telling him to go up and knock on the door. It was a Friday night and Bill thought it strange to knock at a church door on a Friday night, but did as he felt led. When no one answered, he turned to leave.
“Can I help you?” asked a man who had just pulled up with a car full of kids.
“My name is Bill Alden, and I am representing the country of Maldives. I am sharing my testimony and need with God’s people for an outreach. I have pictures, slides, brochures, and whatever you would need to validate my sincerity.”
“We are here to open up the church for a youth gathering tonight. Wait here a minute and I will be right back.” Ed parked the car. “I will call the pastor. Maybe he could come and talk to you.” As soon as Ed had stopped the car, the girls had thrown open the back doors and were running all around the church.
“Amanda, Becky, and Carol, stay away from the building materials!” Ed hollered out to the girls. “I’ll be right back. This young man here is Ryan,” pointing to Ryan as he got out of the passenger’s side. “Why don’t you two chat while I go inside?” Ed looked through his keys before finding the right one for the church.
Bill and Ryan sat on the sidewalk and watched the girls run around so freely. Bill wished every child had the ability to run and play as they did. They were carefree, healthy, and obviously loved. Ryan was curious about the man. He wasn’t familiar with missionaries.
“Where are you from?” Ryan asked to start up a conversation.
“Originally Michigan,” replied Bill. “I have been working in Maldives for two years though. My contract just ended there last year. I know my work isn’t done there.” Bill looked down at his feet and kicked at a rock. “These people live on next to nothing. They do not have proper medical attention or education. There are over 1,000 coral islands that make up Maldives. The biggest island is their capital, Malé. It’s only a little over nine miles long and two miles across. The country is so small that half the world doesn’t know it exists.” Bill leaned back and put his arms behind him to prop him up. “I am sorry. I just can’t get them out of my mind. I don’t mean to ramble on, but I know I do.”
“It’s okay. I can tell you care a lot for these people.” Ryan had been listening with more than his ears. He too heard the heart of a man who was burdened for the islanders. He couldn’t imagine caring so much for strangers that you give up your life and freedom for them.
The pastor came to meet Bill at the church. The youth were being very noisy, but having a lot of fun. Ryan stayed with Bill as he spoke to the pastor. He focused on every situation and on every need that Bill shared with the pastor. The pastor agreed to have Bill speak to the congregation on Sunday morning.
“Where are you staying?” Ryan asked out of curiosity and desire to hear more from Bill.
“Point me in a direction young man. I haven’t checked in anywhere and it’s getting pretty late. Do you know a good hotel in town? Bill yawned and stretched. He was ready for a good night sleep.
“Sure I do, it’s cheap too!” Ryan was excited with his offer. It was Friday. His parents hadn’t been home for a weekend in almost two years unless it happened to be a holiday. “You can stay at my house, I’ll sleep on the couch, and you can have my room.”
Any other time Bill would insist on staying at a hotel, but he was so tired and Ryan was so genuine that he couldn’t resist, “Sure, okay for tonight anyway.”
It wasn’t at all the restful night that Bill had in mind. Ryan had him up half the night asking questions and talking about Maldives. Bill was very candid about the dangers in Maldives. Bill explained to Ryan the disguise they would be using to go back to the island. They were going to build a large community building for gatherings, doctor visits, teachers, and etc. They would mainly be working and loving these sweet people who didn’t have a clue what bondage they were in. However, whenever it was safe, they would do a “special” work for God. Ryan was so excited about the thought of “special” work in Maldives that he couldn’t sleep. He finally got the hint it was time for bed when Bill fell asleep mid-sentence. While Ryan lay awake on the couch he prayed and asked God if there was any way for him to travel with Bill that he would please let it happen.
All day Saturday and into the night Ed, Ryan and Bill walked around town and talked with different businesses about sponsoring Bill’s trip. Ryan had shared his desire to go with Bill to everyone he talked to. He truly was over the top excited about the possibility of going to Maldives. Some gave donations and some made promises to donate when the time got closer. People couldn’t resist or deny the young man’s enthusiasm or Bill’s passion. They made a good team. Ed was amazed at the giving and promised Ryan that what he didn’t raise, he would sponsor the difference. He had only two things in his way, the war, and the need for a passport.
As he left that night to continue to share his heart and mission, Bill made himself visible for those whom God had already chosen for His team, even though His team may not have known that they were ‘the chosen’. When they would hear God say “GO!” they would all be packing their bags for Maldives within weeks.
April 2nd marked the eighteenth birthday of young Mr. Ryan Nelson. It was a happy day for him; his parents actually remembered and were home to spend the day with him. The church had decided to throw a surprise party for him the Friday following his birthday. He had worked hard for the church and it didn’t go unnoticed. Not only was he a huge help with the roof and addition, he had taken over all the landscaping and maintenance for the church. He was well loved and appreciated. The church shocked him with an abundance of cards each containing some form of money. They wanted to bless his efforts in coming up with the money for a passport and airplane ticket. The congregation gave a whopping $458.67. The board members voted to make up the difference of $41.33 for a total of $500.00! Ryan laughed and cried. He felt more love and appreciation on this day than he ever had before. Monday would be a big day for him. He would apply for a passport and register for the draft.
Two weeks passed, three weeks passed. Ryan kept a 2:00 vigil on the mail box at home. Where ever he was at around two, he made it a point to stop by his house and check the mail. Four weeks and two days after applying for his passport, a special envelope with Ryan’s name on the front awaited him; it wasn’t the document he wanted. It read, “Order to Report for Armed Forces Physical Examination 7:00 in the morning at the Federal Building.” Ryan didn’t understand. He thought for sure that God was leading him to the mission field and college. It was Wednesday and the date on the paper was for the following Monday. Ryan had seen this before. His classmates were going in for their physicals and the following week, being shipped off to boot camp. Some things didn’t seem fair. All he could do was pray and ask others to pray for God’s will. Ryan wasn’t afraid to serve his country. He would do so proudly, but he had this aching feeling that he was supposed to do something different.
Monday morning at 6:45 Ryan climbed the stairs of the Federal Building. When he opened the stairway door, he was surprised to see three other guys his age standing there waiting for the clock to turn to 7:00. They all had the same look of bewilderment and confusion. Their lives were not in their control. The Selective Service Department now had the say of where their lives were headed. A few more guys joined them in line and at 7:00 sharp the door opened an
d they were herded in to a room. Everything was done together. There wasn’t any privacy or ‘get to know you’ conversation. They were strictly paperwork in motion. Standing in their underwear was embarrassing and cold. Height, weight, sight, hearing, blood pressure, lungs, and heart were checked in assembly line style.
“You are a 1-A son. You are a 1-A also. Move on” and “Next!” were the only words being heard in the room.
Then it was Ryan’s turn. He went in every direction they asked, but instead of being told to move on, they asked him to stand against the far wall of the room. Six more guys were ushered through with the same, move on and next demands. Ryan was the last man standing. He was called back to the line to stand and wait for instructions. This time, two doctors with stethoscopes appeared. They both listened to Ryan’s chest, asking him to breathe in and out. Stepping back from Ryan, both doctors agreed and explained to him. “You are a 4-F young man. You have a heart murmur and are unable to serve your country.” As quick as that, Ryan was dismissed. He walked out, feeling both relieved and saddened. While he was spared, he knew others were not.
It was all a waiting game now. With only five weeks left before Bill left for Maldives, there was still no sign of a passport. Ryan did not know how to feel. Not that he had wanted to be drafted, but it was what he expected. His hope was to do the mission trip above all, yet nothing was falling into place. Ryan worked hard doing what he could for whomever he could. He learned so much from Ed and the men at church. He had become very handy with a variety of machines and tools. Every penny he could spare above his tithe and food, he saved for the possibility of going with Bill.
With choices waning, Ryan signed up for college. He wanted to do an apprenticeship to better hone his skill and broaden his abilities. The closest college was the University of Cincinnati. When he went there, everything fell into place as if it were already planned out and waiting on him. They offered Ryan the apprenticeship and a room in the dorm. He had prayed, but still didn’t expect any of the miracles that had just taken place. He had spent the first eighteen years of his life surviving; now he was living.
He was quiet as he drove home that afternoon. Usually the radio would be blaring and he would be tapping the steering wheel to the beat, but not today. He meditated on what had happened at the university. This was the path his future was supposed to take. It was the right thing to do, he felt it strongly. Out of habit, as soon as Ryan got home, he checked the mail box. Sitting on top of the pile was a government envelope marked passport. Ryan smiled and looked to the sky. God knew how the events needed to happen. If the passport would have come first, Ryan would have never signed up for college. God had a plan and God had a purpose.
Working hard, saving money and getting everything settled before he left had consumed his time for the last month. Finally, the night before leaving for Maldives, Ryan sat down with Ed and Pastor and shared his heart and thankfulness that God brought them into his life. It didn’t take a lot of words between them because Ed and Pastor had both sensed the need of this young man. They were happy to be an instrument of God. For two years they had prayed with, taught, and led Ryan to be a leader. Now was his time to take all he had learned and give it away.