Incidents of God's Mercy

But thou he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.”

Lamentations 3:32

       Leaning against the dusty cement block wall, I scanned the faces of the listeners as Bro. Adelfo Gonzales repeated the invitation again. “How many would like to have salvation?” A man with white hair and crippled feet raised his hand high above his head. He said, “I have read the Bible through several times, but I still don’t know how to be saved” Three others raised their hands. One was a man perched on a bicycle. His eyes seemed to be pleading for deliverance from the life, which his hard face, heavy black beard and long hair portrayed. It was almost dark when the yard meeting was over, but we had prayed with and instructed seven souls which God in his mercy had touched.

       Earlier on that Sunday, we had taken baked chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy to a family who had not come to church that morning because of a sick grandmother. When I entered the one-room house, Guiermina, the saved granddaughter, said to me, “We are so glad you have come. We need you. Grandma says she will soon die, but she is afraid. Please tell Grandma, how to be saved.”

       Grandma Lucia had lived all her life in Oaxaca, a southern state of Mexico. This last spring her daughter, Francisca, felt an urgency to bring Grandma (98 years old) to Baja California so that she could care for her. Although Francisca did not have money for the bus ticket, she thought she must leave on Sunday, and asked me to take her to the bus station. (She had saved enough money for two return tickets.) She came to church Sunday morning with her bags ready to go. The brethren took up a love offering. When the money was counted, Francisca had enough for the bus ticket, with only $2.00 extra. The bus was an hour late, so we visited, while waiting. After that hour, Francisca was in my heart. It would be three days before Francisca would arrive in Oaxaca. I cried all the way home, as I thought how hungry Francisca would be without food those three days. I had given all my money, and I am sure, that others, who gave to her, had to do without something they needed that week.

That Sunday afternoon Grandma Lucia greeted me in the usual formal way; many flowery words and a kiss on my hand, and then she said, “Teach me how to pray when I die. I’ve already divided my food with the saints (her images), done penances walking on my knees for long distances, given to the poor and been a good neighbor. What else should I do to have peace?” Years before when Grandma Lucia had visited with Francisca she would not come to the Church. However, this time she attended whenever she was able

       We talked with her for about an hour and I could see she was sincere. Very simply I explained to her the plan of salvation through faith in Jesus. Her granddaughter and I prayed, and then I asked her to repeat after me a prayer of repentance. After prayer she said, “I have peace. I am not afraid to die.”

       Grandma Lucia passed away September 16, with a smile on her face. She had served her religion from childhood, but it did not help her in the end. However, the mercy of Jesus saved her in her last days, just as he did the thief on the cross.

At this same time, two women lost their mother in a traumatic auto accident in our area. The Escobar family shared his home with these strangers until they were able to travel. Both of these sisters professed salvation during the four weeks they stayed in Chapultepec. What a merciful God to allow these strangers to meet God’s children that lead them to Him.

       God was also merciful to give a wonderful meeting at Pacoima, CA. The spirit of the meeting was sweet, the preaching exceptionally good, and many souls sought help at the altar. It was glorious! A young sister who came with us was sanctified and baptized.

       Although no one came prepared to have children’s meeting; the Lord blessed in a wonderful way. One day the children were so under conviction that five came to the altar and prayed for salvation.

I believe there were eight adults and two children baptized. Seven of these were from the Pacoima congregation. Isn’t God merciful?

       A few days after returning from Pacoima, we were visiting an elderly woman who rented housing for migrant field workers. A young woman knocked at the door, and asked, “May I listen? I loved to hear about Jesus.”

       About halfway through the lesson she left, but returned quickly. Later I learned that Maria was checking on her four-year-old son who was sick with the mumps. We followed her home and found her little boy lying on a blanket on the cold cement floor. The only furniture in the two-room dwelling was a broken down chair and a two-burner kerosene cook stove.

       Early the following morning, I took two more blankets and an egg-carton type mattress to her. While I was reading and explaining some scriptures to Maria, her mother came to check on the sick boy. I read, James 5:13 and prayed for the child. The following day when I came to visit, the child was outside playing. I told Maria, that I would like to teach the Bible to the children if she would get them together. “They go to school in the morning and work pulling onions in the afternoon,” she said. “They get home about 6:30, but please do come.”

       The following evening, Rhonda Doolittle, Julie Samons and I arrived at 6:30. Twenty-three children and four adults were waiting for us. After five lessons, the interest was as good as it was that first day. I see the mercy of God in helping us meet Maria, for I realize this door would not have been opened.

       “The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion: slow to anger, and of great mercy. The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works. All thy works shall praise thee, O Lord; and thy saints shall bless thee. They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power. To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom.” Psalm 145: 8-12