The Progeny
An Encounter
It was supposed to be a relaxing family outing.
When you are missionaries, these opportunities don't come along very often. People are always dropping by unexpectedly and that is just fine. You are there to serve others in His name, after all. If not, you'd be back in the states posting on blogs or something.
But as part of daily missionary life, friends, neighbors, and visiting mission teams often stop by, and it is the most natural thing, for it is your heart's desire to minister. Food, drink and conversation are always at hand for that very purpose.
And then, once in a great while, it is simply good to get away--to be with just your family and find refreshment in each other and a change of scenery.
That was the plan this past week for Tom and Barb Needham, and their five children still living at "home" in Cameroon, Africa.
Driving along the coast approximately 250 miles from their mountaintop home, the missionary family chose to pull off north of Limbe. A beautiful stretch of beach lay nearby, across from a palm tree plantation.
The beach was empty and Tom, Barb and the children were enjoying the vista, watching the waves and waters. It was a beautiful time to share together as a family.
And then came a sight which was not so beautiful.....a group of young men approaching, with machetes and knives.
Our missionary friends are told to sit down under a group of trees. Tom's wallet is taken along with the key to the car. One man with a machete guards the family while the others rifle through the vehicle. Tom prays for the Lord's protection for his family, and then tells the nervous young man about Christ and His sacrifice on the cross. A chorus of "Jesus Loves Me" is sung by the family.
Suddenly, the men all run off into the palm trees across the road. Their booty includes all of Tom's personal information, two passports, two cell phones, two cameras, a Bible and hundreds of dollars in cash. The Needhams are left with 30 cents. And the car. The car is still there with the key lying on the seat.
There is a visit to a nearby police station and then Tom and an accompanying gendarme return to follow the men's trail into the palms. A pile of discarded things is found and the hunt continues until the path meets up with a another road. They return to pick up a few inconsequential items that had been tossed aside. Also found is Kathy's Bible, for which they are very thankful.
Police reports and cancelled vacation plans are the order of the day. Refuge is found for the night in the Baptist Girls' School in Limbe. Tom makes a phone call to Baptist missionary Dr. Dennis Palmer in Bamenda, who arranges for transportation funds.
Thirty cents will only go so far, when 250 miles stretch between you and your destination.
Everyone returned safely home. There was fear during the ordeal, but all of the family members remained calm. It appears none have suffered lasting effects from the trauma.
And one more thing.....their Bible reading that morning included this verse:
When you are missionaries, these opportunities don't come along very often. People are always dropping by unexpectedly and that is just fine. You are there to serve others in His name, after all. If not, you'd be back in the states posting on blogs or something.
But as part of daily missionary life, friends, neighbors, and visiting mission teams often stop by, and it is the most natural thing, for it is your heart's desire to minister. Food, drink and conversation are always at hand for that very purpose.
And then, once in a great while, it is simply good to get away--to be with just your family and find refreshment in each other and a change of scenery.
That was the plan this past week for Tom and Barb Needham, and their five children still living at "home" in Cameroon, Africa.
Driving along the coast approximately 250 miles from their mountaintop home, the missionary family chose to pull off north of Limbe. A beautiful stretch of beach lay nearby, across from a palm tree plantation.
The beach was empty and Tom, Barb and the children were enjoying the vista, watching the waves and waters. It was a beautiful time to share together as a family.
And then came a sight which was not so beautiful.....a group of young men approaching, with machetes and knives.
Our missionary friends are told to sit down under a group of trees. Tom's wallet is taken along with the key to the car. One man with a machete guards the family while the others rifle through the vehicle. Tom prays for the Lord's protection for his family, and then tells the nervous young man about Christ and His sacrifice on the cross. A chorus of "Jesus Loves Me" is sung by the family.
Suddenly, the men all run off into the palm trees across the road. Their booty includes all of Tom's personal information, two passports, two cell phones, two cameras, a Bible and hundreds of dollars in cash. The Needhams are left with 30 cents. And the car. The car is still there with the key lying on the seat.
There is a visit to a nearby police station and then Tom and an accompanying gendarme return to follow the men's trail into the palms. A pile of discarded things is found and the hunt continues until the path meets up with a another road. They return to pick up a few inconsequential items that had been tossed aside. Also found is Kathy's Bible, for which they are very thankful.
Police reports and cancelled vacation plans are the order of the day. Refuge is found for the night in the Baptist Girls' School in Limbe. Tom makes a phone call to Baptist missionary Dr. Dennis Palmer in Bamenda, who arranges for transportation funds.
Thirty cents will only go so far, when 250 miles stretch between you and your destination.
Everyone returned safely home. There was fear during the ordeal, but all of the family members remained calm. It appears none have suffered lasting effects from the trauma.
And one more thing.....their Bible reading that morning included this verse:
"The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace." Psalm 29:11Tweet
posted by Ma Hoyt | 2:30 PM
2 Comments:
That is terrible. I will pray for them, esp. that they will not be filled with fear.
Thank you, Linda.
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