I did not have time to think, only
react. A large rock was aimed at my head and coming fast. I began to move to
the right when suddenly — the rock stopped right in front of my face like it
had hit a wall. It seemed to slowly slide down that invisible wall, hit the
ground and slowly roll away lying harmless as a rag. It did not hit me. I was
not hurt. My first response was to thank God.
When I looked up at Sarah there
was fire in her eyes. They seemed to pierce my soul. As her eyes began to clear
she turned gray and sat on a bolder near the stream. A girl near her went over
to see if she was all right. She looked exhausted. I had no doubt she was wiped
out. She strength and spirit were spent. Demons destroy a person.
I stood transfixed by what had
just happened. Had my eyes deceived me? Did a rock flying toward me just stop
near my head and fall harmlessly to the ground? The young lady with Sarah said,
“You could have been killed.” I had no doubt that was the point and God had
intervened. I bent down to inspect the rock. It might have been ten pounds or
so. I don’t know if it would have killed me with the impact, but it would have
messed me up pretty bad. The only way it might have killed me would likely have
been from the fall. Had I rolled down the hill there was a cliff at the curve
behind us. The drop would not have been far, but the rocks in the stream were jagged
and the water was running swiftly.
It was the girl near Sarah who
screamed when it happened. That caused the others ahead of us to turn and come
running down the hill. I was tired just considering the possibilities. I sat on
the ground and relayed the story to everyone’s amazement. God is good.
We only spent one night. The sun
had pretty well dried our tents. It was mid afternoon when we left for the
church. Parents were to meet us there at 4:00. It was after five when all had
left. I went to the quiet of my office. The church was empty with the exception
of Burt who was finishing up making sure things were ready for church the next
morning.
I left the office light off. Some
light filtered through the secretarial office from their outside window and
then through the pass through window to my enclosed office. There was only
enough light to see where everything was located. As usual, my desk was piled
with papers. I pushed them aside, lay my head on the desk and sobbed and
prayed. I was overwhelmed by Gods love and grace.
I was there for quite some time. I
did not check the clock before leaving, but Della said she was expecting me
earlier. We sat at the kitchen table where I told her my story. We both wept.
Meanwhile God must have been entertaining our children, as they played on the
floor of the family room the whole time oblivious to their parent’s
conversation.
That night we prayed for Sarah and
the group. I did not want to see any of the kids adversely affected by what was
going on with Sarah. We prayed that their memories would not be scarred and
that they would remain close to Jesus. We both slept like babies that night. We
drifted off shortly after putting the kids to bed.
I have no memory of church the
next morning. I cannot imagine that the events were not talked about, but I
don’t remember. In writing about my time in Vancouver, I have heard from two of
those now grandparent youths. Their memories are vague. I prayed that for all.
I did not want them terrified by what was happening.
I have always been surprised that
no parents ever approached me demanding to know what was going on. I know of
none who decided their kids could not come to youth group because of the
problems we were facing. In reality it seemed to be just the opposite. After
the big event in the North Vancouver home, attendance was steady and growing.
It was like no one wanted to miss what God might do next. More even showed up
at prayer meeting. God was at work.
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