When
we left Jacksonville, Florida last August there were two houses we were
considering for our home, both of which were located much better as far
as the roads are concerned, than where we eventually rented. We had discussed
both houses and decided that either one would be alright as they were very
nice and in a good neighborhood and easy to reach by car. We had not given
a thought to the little cabin where we spent the winter, but God had. So
when we arrived in North Carolina and visited friends in the community
where we had spent about a year, we started house hunting, for we had already
decided where we were going to live. We had just started out to rent one
of the houses we had agreed on, but when we got in sight of the first house
we had in mind, we saw that the kitchen door was open.
I said to Frances, "This
house is rented." We drove right on by and did not give it any further
thought as we were sure it was occupied. We went on to the other house
and were overjoyed to find it empty. I went to see the owner and was disappointed
to find it had been rented a few days previous, but the family had not
moved in. After our conversation was over and I had started away, he called
to me and said, "I have another small house but I don't suppose it is fit
to live in. You may go and look at it." This we did, and found a little
cabin in a very bad condition.
We have now moved to a larger
and better home, also more easily reached, but this little cabin where
we spent the winter is so dear to our hearts; God was so near and dear
to us there. I just want to tell you all about our little cabin home nestled
among the mountain laurel and beautiful pines in the hills of North Carolina.
Picture in your mind an old
automobile loaded with odds and ends, bedding tied on the top, an oil stove
fastened to the bumper, and suit cases tied about on the fenders and running
board. Chugging along through the mountains, dodging a rock here and hitting
a mud hole there. The occupants of this old car were happy, though they
had very little of this world's goods. They had prayer in their hearts
and songs on their lips because they belonged to God and were on a Mission
for their Savior. We continued on to where there is a little trail leading
off the road and up a valley between two mountains. We followed this trail
fording creeks where there are no bridges and dodging as many holes and
bumps as possible.
At
last we came to a small cabin completely surrounded by weeds. There were
only three windows, which were boarded up. The doors were the shuttle type,
having no locks or hardware. The back door was secured with a hasp and
padlock. The roof was in a very bad condition. There were two shed type
rooms built on the back, which we could not use because of the condition
of the roof. There were great cracks in the ceilings, walls and floors.
Many of the window panes were gone. In the kitchen there was only one window,
the lower part of which was rough wooden shutter. The little mantel shelf,
which was made of rough boards, was cracked and blackened with smoke and
heat from the fireplace. The floors were littered with dirt and debris.
A lot of tobacco stems and a plow were in one of the rooms, also a lot
of fodder for the cattle was stored there.
This was not just the sort
of house we had hoped to get, but there was no complaining or thoughts
of discouragement, for we believed God had led us there and we knew if
He was there, it would be better, much better, than the most beautiful
and pretentious mansion without our dear Lord and Savior. We did not understand
then, but we know the answer now. Before anything was done or the boards
taken from the windows, I tacked a motto, "Jesus Never Fails," on the front
door after prayer, and we decided to clean house and move in.
We spent several days in
a kind neighbor's home while we made the house as livable as we could.
We scrubbed the walls, ceiling, and floors with hot soapy lye water. Also,
we burned sulphur in every room. After much cleaning inside and out, we
moved in. Our furniture which we had ordered had not arrived, so I built
a large bunk for a bed, and borrowed a few articles, a chair or so, and
started the work that we had come to do, preaching and teaching, going
to many mountain homes, pleading the cause of Christ. We have spent many
happy hours of fellowship with our Lord in this little cabin.
One evening, our little girl,
Shirley, came home from school suffering from the flu, with a fever and
a severe headache. Frances immediately put her to bed. We were many, many
miles from the nearest doctor, and he would seldom, if ever, go out on
these little mountain trails in the winter time. We went over and sat down
beside the bed. I asked if she believed in her heart that God could heal
her and she answered yes. So I placed my hand on her forehead and we went
to the Great Physician who has never lost a case, silently bowing in prayer,
asking Him to help. In a very short while she said, "Mother, the pain is
all gone; my head doesn't hurt any more," and fell asleep. Oh, how we praise
our wonderful Savior for holding us in the hollow of the Hand that was
nailed to Calvary's Cross. This is just one of many, many times. He has
been so near to us in this little cabin home that we felt as though we
could almost touch the hem of His garment.
A man came there one night—a
cruel, wicked, drunken, hard-hearted, wife-beating sinner. He left with
his shoulders squared to the world, a different look in his eyes, a shine
on his face, a heart that had been made soft and tender. He had laid all
on the altar and his burdens at the foot of the Cross.
This
little cabin away out on an isolated mountain trail in the western hills
of North Carolina is only a shack to some, but to us and many others it
had many happy and fond memories. One man said, "That little cabin will
always be a shrine in my heart, for I found my Savior there," praise His
wonderful name forever.
We request a great interest
in your prayers that we will be great soul winners for our Savior, and
remember this mission's needs. |