It was in April 1999 that I heard Roberta Hestenes speak in the C.S. Lewis series at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. At the time she was serving as American chair of World Vision, the organization that works with poverty-stricken families and children worldwide. She told of an incident that happened in the mid-80s in China.
The Communists had invited a prominent American to inspect their new poverty relief structure; Hestenes was chosen. By the 18th day, she was fatigued and homesick. Every minute of every day was filled with travel over treacherous terrain.
Nell MohneyThis particular day was Sunday, and there was an unspoken prayer in her heart, “Lord, today is Sunday and I am lonely. In this atheistic country, if there is any way I could meet another Christian, I would be very grateful.”
At one point, the Communist chief said, “I’m so very sorry.”
“Sorry about what?” Hestenes asked.
“I’m sorry that we have a free hour. I thought I had every minute planned. Is there anything you’d like to do or see in this free time?” he asked.
Quickly, she said, “My eyes may have deceived me, but I thought I saw a church about 2 miles back.” Even more quickly, he replied, “We have no churches.”
In a careful, conciliatory tone, she asked, “Since we have some free time, couldn’t we go back and check?” Reluctantly, he agreed while she silently prayed, “Please let me see that cross again.”
Going back, they came upon a small but beautiful Christian church. The Communist men took time for a smoke while Hestenes and her interpreter entered the sanctuary. They were greeted warmly by a deaconess. “How many worshippers do you have on a Sunday?” Hestenes asked. The deaconess replied, “500 on a bad Sunday.”
When the church’s pastor greeted his American visitor, he said, “For 18 years we have prayed that a Christian from a free country would come to us, and God has faithfully answered our prayers.”
Tears were flowing down the cheeks of the usually composed Chinese faces and down her own cheeks, she recalled.
“Our prayers have been answered. Thanks be to God,” she said.
Contact Nell Mohney at nellwmohney@comcast.net.