ND TEE WORLD Belgian Congo, A frica By Harry Hurlbut N o e l i ” is enthusiastically cele brated on most of our stations
Thailand By Norman Allensworth L if e on the Gospel Boat in Nann ing, South China was never dull! But in December of 1949 things were taking place which caused us no little concern for our personal safety, and for the safety of our small but valiant group of boat-people. We had been teaching our Chinese friends of the Prince of Peace, and that we would soon be celebrating His birth. With the marching of thousands of Nation alist soldiers into the little city we knew that imminent danger was threatening. It was rumored that the victorious “ liberating” armies of the Communists would soon arrive to bat tle for our city on the banks of the West River. Our boat had no motor. To move it, it was necessary to pole it along near the bank’s edge, or have it towed with a motor launch. But all of the motor launches were being used by the government to tow barges of soldiers across the river to safety. Our little band of believers helped us to pole our large craft a distance of about one mile from the city limits. Then we heard news which was most alarming! The Communists were ex pected to arrive in a matter of hours. Was this the way we were to cele brate the coming of the Prince of Peace? It looked as if we would have to prepare for a pitched battle be tween two armies on either side of the river, with our boat anchored in between. We gathered our small band together for prayer, committing our lives and souls to His omniscient care.
in Belgian Congo. When the schools close for the holidays a few days be fore, the even is marked with a pro gram featuring the songs, recitations and drama of the season. Many are our smiles as we see the wise men and shepherds, dressed in sketchy finery, and giving their version of what those of old did to welcome the Babe of Bethlehem! At Aru, everyone had an out-of- doors meal on Christmas Eve; a little table set in the midst of the throng, faintly lit by a lantern hanging in a near-by tree. It was a time of fellow ship and testimony, and the choir would lead us in many hymns. Christmas was the time of a big “kuvanda” or conference, when thou sands would come in to attend the huge open-air gatherings. There was also a baptismal service and com munion for those newly entered into church membership. Christmas morning itself was the time for carols. A little group would go around with a lantern and sing at each of the houses. It was strange how silently they could gather, so that the first awareness we had of their presence was a blast of not- always-too-harmonious song, which speedily brought us out of our pre dawn slumbers! Then we would lie and listen to their singing, and thank the Lord that the glorious news of Salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ had found its way even to dark est Africa where heathenism had reigned for so many centuries. India . . . continued the afternoon there is another service. This one lasts for three hours, but it thrills his heart as he watches the boys and girls representing the 15 village schools. Each group quotes Scripture or sings a special song. Ramji determines that he is going to hide the Christmas story away in his heart and before the day is over he begins to memorize it. That evening, Ramji returns home tired but happy in the fact that he has had the privilege of celebrating the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in idolatrous India, for the first time in his life. PRAY for missionaries of the Cross around the world- ” f rn told Trillions . . . Untold”
the gospel to every creature." peared to be getting more intense, and we crouched in our almost use less barricade. Suddenly, we realized the sound of the shooting was grow ing less in volume. At last our fears were somewhat abated as this meant the armies were moving down the river rather than up the river near to where our boat was anchored. During the excitement and uncertainty of events of the evening, we had hardly thought about it being Christmas Eve. The next day we were greeted bright and early by the warm cheer ful greetings of the Chinese boat-peo ple Christians. Their words in unison were, “ Pastor, you have been telling us of the birth of the Prince of Peace. We didn’t fully understand what you meant until last night, the eve of His birthday. Those of us who have trust ed Him as our Saviour, experienced such peace that we were able to sleep most of the night. Our unbelieving Chinese friends, meanwhile, spent the night in wailing and crying before their idols of wood and stone. W ill you join us, Pastor, as we celebrate the birthday of the only Prince of Peace?” “ Let us rejoice and be glad.” EDITOR'S NOTE: Rev. Allensworth is Superin tendent of the Jewish Department of the Bible Institute of Los Angeles, Inc., and the Church of the Open Door.
Rev. Allensworth (standing behind natives) comments on work carried on through boat ministry. (Boat seen in background.)
Then we piled everything we could in the center of the chapel floor that would serve as a barricade against bullets. As it started to get dark, we could hear the rat-a-tat-tat of the machine guns and mortar fire. We had another prayer meeting asking God to prepare us for what seemed inevitable. The rattle of gun fire ap"Go ye into all the world, and preach Jesus came ■—- and came for me! Simple words! and yet expressing Depths of holy mystery, Depths of wondrous love and blessing Holy Spirit, make me see All His coming means for me; Take the things of Christ, I pray; Show them to my heart today. —Frances Ridley Havergal
DECEMBER, 1958
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