easily take their wounded there for care. Their enemies lived some dis tance away and could not risk the trip because of the danger of anoth er encounter. While the hospital was open to all, because one group benefited while the other did not, embittered the latter. To make mat ters worse an epidemic of disen- tary broke out so that the doctor was swamped with all sorts of cases. The presence of so many flies caused the doctor's family to be infected and re-infected. They did not respond to the treatment and we felt because the situation was so grave they would have to move out until they were able to gain their strength. The clan who had not benefited from the medical help decided this was an ideal time to eliminate the hospital. Under cover of darkness they sent two of their warriors to set fire to it as well as to the doc tor's home. Within a few short hours, $10,000 worth of equipment went up in smoke. Early the next morning I made my way out to the station to survey the damage. God tells us that in everything we are to give thanks. With other mis sionaries, we raised our voices in singing, “ Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow .” Then we bowed our hearts in prayer, be seeching the Lord of the harvest that if it pleased Him He would use this seeming tragedy to ac complish His eternal purposes. We asked for "beauty for ashes." I cannot help but feel that the Lord accepted this costly burnt offer ing as one that was laid on the altar. God did answer the prayer as we were willing to submit com pletely to Him. When an African makes a deci-
will? The full price must be paid if full blessing is to be expected. The launching of the beachhead into enemy territory always costs dearly in lives and equipment. We recall the invasion forces of World War II. It cost thousands of young lives, to say nothing of expendable equipment. During the years my wife and I laboured in the Sudan, we found ourselves many times frustrated by the multiplicity of opposing and contrary circumstances. We had to expect opposition from the prin cipalities and powers of darkness. Yet our strength could only be drawn from the Lord. It was not uncommon to see a large percen tage of our missionaries incapaci tated because of illness. I cannot help but feel that all these things come as part of the offering one is called upon to make when he lays his all on the altar. A young doctor, his wife, and family laboured in the midst of frustrations in the Sudan. They bravely fought to carry the mes sage of the Gospel to these very primitive people. Government re strictions had not permitted us to put up any permanent buildings. They had to live in a mud and thatched home. The hospital was made of the same material. Amid the rigors of this primitive area the medical work grew and the doctor gained the people's confidence. There were encouragements of the first-fruits for Christ born among this tribe. One day a cattle rustling war broke out among two of the tribal clans. In the fierce battles a num ber were slain and many wounded. One side in the feud lived close to the mission hospital. They could
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