|
Lost Boy |
  We
had just finished a successful program for children in Belarus. Fifty
eight of the hundreds of children attending meetings came to our apartment
to bring us flowers, cry, and say good bye. We fed them potato soup
in shifts with our 6 bowls. They each had a number. We did the best with
what we had to show them our love. These youth loved the Bible studies and
did not want us to leave. We had been with them for 5 weeks and were tired
and ready to go home and recover. I was ready to hug my two younger
children and husband I had left behind. How I wept for my two little ones
at home. No one can ever know the pain of a mothers heart at leaving
her own behind to go and share the Bible stories with others who have
never heard. No one but God knows how hard that was. I was happy to
be training my two older sons in managing projectors and equipment.
However, we loved these Russian speaking youth as our very own.
Nancy was like a grandma to them. They had learned every Scripture song.
We had a picnic with them in the park and knew these children needed extra
love.
|
 My
eyes strained for a glimpse of my little 7 year old in that crowd of
people rushing to catch their plane. The place was packed. It was a sea of
people. How could I even hope to find him? He was so small, how could he
even see where he was going in that crowd? The building was all unfamiliar
to us. I refused to even think of my fears that he had been kidnapped. Why
had I not insisted he go into the women's restroom with me? Well, it was
too late to even wish I had done differently. |
 As
I opened my eyes, I saw him through the glass barrier on the other side of
security check point with his hand up in the air as if he was being
brought by the hand. I could not see his angel. Ian was very calm. I was
not. I told security to please let him through quickly, I had his
documents. In a moment he was in my arms. The emotion of the moment was
hard to describe. My knees buckled under me and I fell into a nearby chair
clasping my boy. I guess my legs just felt like spaghetti. Anxious
fellow travelers offered to carry all our equipment and us onto the plane
for they were calling out the last boarding call. We were about to miss
our plane and I could not get my spaghetti legs to work. Finally with
everyone else carrying my bags, we made it into our seats as the engines
fired up for take off. |
 I
anxiously watched for my son. God anxiously watches for you. He does
not use force. He calls with love. Probation is about to close. Satan
knows this and is going about with extra activity to deceive people. He
tries to get them too busy to read their Bibles. He catches their interest
in other things like games, books, TV shows, and music. He does not care
what he uses as long as it keeps people busy.
|
In
the airport of Germany during a transfer from one airline out of Belarus
to an airline going home to USA, seven year old Ian decided it was time
for a stop at the restrooms. We left all the luggage with the missionary
lady traveling with us, Nan Stagl and headed through security to the
restrooms. I instructed him to wait for me when he came out of the men's
restrooms. I had to wait in line and when I was finished, I came out and
waited but never saw my little boy. I feared he had wandered off but he
actually was not finished yet. He claims he was still in the men's
restroom. I reported my missing child and supposedly they made an
announcement. However, if they did, it was in another language. Thousands
of people were going quickly in all directions. I was in a panic for our
plane was soon to leave. They kept changing the gate number for departure
for security reasons. Some important official was to be on the same plane
with us. 
How in the
world could the little 7 year old boy even find us? I decided not to go on
my flight if I could not find him. My other son age 9 and Nancy Stagl
could go on without me. I would stay hoping and praying. I had been
praying for help. Finally as I heard our flight boarding, I began to pray
desperately. Lord, I said, "You have an angel guarding my boy, he
knows where he is in this mass of people. Please have him take Ian by the
hand and bring him quickly. NOW!"