After seeing the devastation of the hotel which they had left such a short time previously, the missionary's mind was filled with thoughts of the Lord's wonderful care and mercy. How distressing it was to see his beloved Bolivia in the throes of conflict again-this time civil war -Bolivians fighting against Bolivians. And yet, how reassuring, in the midst of such turmoil, to have God's promise in Isa. 26:33Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. (Isaiah 26:3): "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee."
It was only a short distance from the hotel to the service station where he had parked the truck. When he arrived there, he was dismayed to find the truck had already been confiscated! The owner of the service station explained he had been forced to hand over the keys to the Military, who took it right away. Then he added, "I am glad you were not here, for as soon as I had hung up the keys you gave me, one key was cut in half by a stray bullet. Everything was in an uproar because the Rebels were entering the city."
This was very distressing news to the missionary. He explained, "This truck was a present from my friends in the States and Canada for the work of the Lord here in Bolivia. I must do all I can to recover it! Who was the officer who claimed it?" The name was given and also advice as to where he might be found.
Dodging behind buildings to escape the shrapnel and bullets, he prayed for the Lord's protection over him and care of the truck for him. The Rebels were already bombing the city very heavily. At last he found the Colonel who was responsible for taking the truck. The Colonel recognized the missionary as the Chaplain in the Chaco War. When the missionary showed him his credentials for the truck, the Colonel said, "I'm sorry, but the truck is in my power, as are all others. It is needed urgently-so many are wounded and killed. We also need it to secure food for our men."
The missionary could understand all this, but he persisted, "Sir, I will be glad to drive the truck for you, if you will permit me to do so. I would like to stay with it." He knew he would never see it again if he did not stay with it and he felt responsible for it because it was given for the Lord's work.
The Colonel looked surprised, then asked, "I will be glad to give you permission to drive your own truck to help at this time, but I cannot be responsible for your life."
At this the missionary smiled, "I know, Sir, but I am a servant of the Lord and He will take care of me."
Then issuing orders, the Colonel said, "You will have to go with the Commander and thirty-five armed guards to capture the next town. God be with you and all in your truck."
What a terrible experience this was for the missionary-given orders which had to be followed immediately-no time to say good-bye to his dear wife or even to get a message to her regarding his present circumstances. He had been issued orders and he must go.
It was over a month before he saw his loved one again. He had no choice but to commit her to the Lord's tender care and mercies and follow instructions. Surely she would learn of his whereabouts somehow. He did learn that the Judge had found out from the service station owner about the truck being taken for military use to relieve the wounded. His wife spent much time in prayer to the Lord for his safety-a wonderful resource in such troublous times.
It would be difficult to relate all the adventures of the missionary and the truck in the month's time he was separated from his dear wife, but the following will give the reader an idea of the dangers he encountered: As the missionary and his truckload of men neared the town which they were to capture from the Rebels, he turned to the Commander beside him and asked, "Sir, this is a dangerous task ahead of us. Do you mind stopping here so that I can pray for the Lord to protect us and ask Him to give us the town without firing a shot?"
The officer took off his cap and ordered his men sitting in the rear of the truck to do the same while the missionary prayed. Oh, how blessed it is to know that God is real, that He hears and is able to-and does-answer prayer far above what we ask or think.
They arrived at the center of the town without being noticed. The Commander snapped his fingers and the guards jumped out of the truck with their machine guns, each one taking a specified position on different corners. The town was taken without a shot being fired. The Rebels were so taken by surprise that many of them fled while others surrendered without resistance.
In the areas where there had been fighting, the doctors were all in favor of the Rebels. They refused to treat the wounded or to arrange for the burial of the dead Government soldiers. They just left them lying in the street wherever they had fallen. What a tragic scene this was! Something had to be done about it.
The Commander ordered the missionary to take a message to the hospital notifying the personnel there that all the doctors and nurses were to present themselves to the Commander within twenty minutes or none would be left alive. Oh, what a terrible trial for the missionary to be in such a predicament! But he believed the Lord was using him as His instrument to save the lives of many of these foolish Rebels as well as others, and also it was a command. All the doctors and nurses immediately appeared before the Commander.
The missionary was able to take many of the wounded for immediate attention under cover of armed guards. Some of them were taken to the nearest river, where they could bathe, using soap which he had been able to secure for them. This must have been very refreshing to the men.
So this dreadful ordeal was ended temporarily. What might he expect to be involved in next?