11 Feb, 2001
Dear Phyllis,
Today is Sunday and it is the beginning of a new era for me.
Last Monday I received your letter telling of Ted’s promotion and now my
audience has been reduced by one. Years ago I heard an outstanding message
about Melchizedek’s meeting Abraham after he had stomped five kings in Gen. 14.
The speaker observed that usually we would think that Melchizedek should have
met with Abraham before he went out to fight. He would need the grace of God to
do battle, but after an outstanding victory that wouldn't be so necessary. But the
reverse is true. It was after the victory that Abraham needed the grace of God.
You have been through a difficult struggle for several months and the agony is
over, but now as you launch out on a new phase of your journey, this is the
time when you are going to need more of the grace of God than before.
Last night I was thinking how tender the Lord has been to
you in the way He took Ted to be with Himself. Jacob said, “If men should
overdrive them one day all the flock will die.” (Gen. 33:13), and the Lord is
very tender how He drives His sheep. He knows our frame and will not overload
us with more than we can bear. He knew your deep attachment to Ted and rather
than taking him suddenly in a moment, he led Ted slowly out into the stream. I
believe He did this more for your sake than for Ted’s. It wasn’t a matter of
Ted getting used to the water, but more to condition you so that when the
moment came and Ted would reach the other shore you would be adequately conditioned
to walking on alone. I wouldn’t, for a moment suggest, that this path will be a
joyous one. Jesus told that after His departure the disciples would have
sorrow, but, fortunately, this sorrow won’t last forever. It is only momentary.
It is ridiculous for me to write you on this subject as you
have been through deeper water than my little wading pool. When the Lord took
Carol that must have been a very unique trial. I was numb when the Lord took
TJ, but he was not yet one. That was easier than losing a married daughter. I
was surprised at the grace of God that sustained us at that time and I am sure
you have – and are – experiencing the grace of God in ways that are beyond our
understanding. But – my goodness, Phyllis – this is going to be a very short trail.
It won’t be anytime at all until we will all be united again, and we can’t
begin to comprehend the glory that will envelop that meeting. It almost cuts
the wait in half just to know that Ted is now enjoying the atmosphere of the
celestial City. If the blessing of others is any comfort to us, we can only
praise God for what He has done for Ted. It makes heaven seem that much nearer
for me to realize that so many of my friends have made to safely there and that
insures my own seat on a plane soon.
Do you remember what it was like waiting to go to Japan the
first time? There were so many friends who were going and one by one they got
on boats and left. That strange Oriental country seemed so far away and we
wondered what it was going to be like when we ourselves got there. But the day
did come and we joined all our friends in Tokyo and Karuizawa. That seems like
a lifetime away now, but it seemed like a long wait then. These are precious
moment that the Lord has extended to us and it is to our advantage to buy up
every moment, because we won’t pass this way again.
I’m sure you are probably inundated with letters, cards and
calls from friends. That must be a full time job trying to dig your way out
from under an avalanche of best wishes. Please don’t worry about writing me. I
am in a different category. I appreciate the load you have to deal with, and
there is no necessity of answering me until you get your nose a little above
water.
Since getting back from SEA I have settled down in the usual
routine again. There is a lot of work to get done in preparation for the
dedication of the new large printing press on the 23rd. It was a
real big event when we first moved in this new plant 5 ½ years ago and ever
major Christian leader in Japan was here. This one will be considerable smaller
scale and the staff won’t even shut down for the day. But the ones who are
coming are big men – many from overseas.
Roald has been in Norway for nearly two weeks. He was the
main speaker at a missions conference for their denomination. He said the theme
of the conference was – How to keep the fire burning in your heart. I told him,
“That is simple – just go with me to SEA.” Since I have been going down there I
haven’t suffered from near as much frost- bitten heart as I used to. Going down
there and fellow shipping with Christians in those lands is guaranteed to do
something to you. Our number two man, Vidar Aaronsen has made many trips to
China and last December he took another group of men from Norway to carry
Bibles to the underground church in Peking. He has been in that fellowship many
times but he said the last time the men he took were simply overcome. One
fellow was trying to give a testimony but words simply refused to come out of
his mouth. He just stood there and sobbed. I know a little of the feeling.
Being in that atmosphere will fire up the coldest heart. I don’t care if is
soaked with seven buckets of water like Elijah’s alter, when the fire of God’s
Spirit falls on something, even the stoniest heart will burn.
Last fall I had a craving to do a bunji jump and finally got
around to doing it. Today, my friend Tagawa and I were going out to eat when we
saw a powered paraglider in the sky. We were compelled to follow it until we
got to the spot where they were flying from. We spent several hours talking
with them and went to their office to discuss the possibility of doing that
flying ourselves. It looks like the ultimate thrill. It is simply a special
parachute with a gasoline engine strapped to your back. We can do it anytime
but the price is Y40, 000 for the beginners course. I don’t see a thing of the
Lord in it and Y40, 000 would go a long ways to carry Bibles into Laos and
Vietnam, but I really want to have the thrill of sailing around Saitama-ken
hanging from a parachute while being driven by a gasoline engine. I don’t have
the money at the moment but the chances are I probably will do it.
I’ll close for now with much love and prayers;
In our faithful Lord Jesus, bill
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