Nr.41 ended with: “Then we drove to the print shop to pick up the 250 serviettes they had printed for the reception, but we had no more money left to pay for them and we never bought on credit……….!” I still don’t know why I went in as I could not pay for them. There was a young man behind the counter and I asked him whether the serviettes for Richard and Marina were ready. He looked around and, yes he said, they are right here. I asked him how much they cost. He said he didn’t know and there was no bill with it. He told me that the boss would be back on Monday. All he had was Richard and Marina, no last name, address, phone number, nothing, and yet he let us go. Maybe what was printed on the serviettes was what made him trust us, it said, “Richard and Marina, joined to serve the Lord.” Psalm 121:8. I ran back to the car and told Marina, the Lord charged them for us. On Monday we went back and paid for them.

The next day, Saturday, September the 15th was a beautiful sunny day and we were married in a little church on the prairies, in a very small town called Gouldtown. We had close to 200 guests, which was quite a number as there was no one from my family present. The College principal preached on Is.58:11a, “The Lord will guide you continually.” Marina’s sister sang from Ruth 1:16, “Wherever you go, I will go.” and thus we were “joined together to serve the Lord”, which we have been doing now for over 51 years. And God has been faithful in providing for us for all those years. The ladies of the church had a wonderful lunch prepared for all and everyone enjoyed the wedding cake. We had no money for a honeymoon, except that we stayed in a hotel the first night and then on Sunday night late we drove to our small house on the farm. When we got there, the large house was dark, the elderly Norwegian couple was already in bed, while our little house was locked and we had no key…………..! (Go to Musings)

Nr.40 ended with: “We came home the end of August broke and worn out, two weeks before our wedding, while hardly anything was ready……….!”

We were convinced that it was God’s will for us to be married. The prayer which we prayed continually was, “If Thy presence go not with us, carry us not up hence.” Ex.33:15. And we meant this with all our hearts. Before the decision was made, I had spent another whole day fasting and praying in hills close to Marina’s parent’s farm. I had sought the Lord fervently and I had once again received assurance that we were indeed in the center of His will. And now we had two weeks to get everything ready. It was amazing to experience God’s provision of large and small things. When we arrived home at Marina’s parents place, there was some mail with financial gifts, one from my parents in Holland who sent money for a new suit for me. Marina had a beautiful wedding dress given to her to use. An elderly Norwegian couple, who had a farm and some cattle, offered us their hired man’s house, free of rent, if we would only feed their cattle twice a day. But we also saw God’s provisions in smaller things and details. A lady friend baked a three layer wedding cake and one of Marina’s aunts decorated it beautifully. When we went to pick up the cake to take it to Marina’s aunt, we stopped in at dear friend’s place who lived close to the Lord. When we left her, she said that she felt a bit foolish but she had something the Lord had told her to give us. Her daughter had just gotten married and left some stuff at her place. She handed us a paper bag and when we looked in it we found little pillars that support the cake layers, we hadn’t thought of those, neither had anyone else, except the Lord, amazing! Then we drove to the print shop to pick up the 250 serviettes they had printed for the reception, but we had no more money left to pay for them and we never bought on credit……….! (Go to Musings)

Nr.39 ended with: “But then the principal’s wife talked to me……..!”

Actually, we met each other outside, I greeted her and she started talking to me, telling me that she had heard that I had wedding plans. I said, yes, and she answered, “But you signed the application papers in which it states that students are not to marry during College attendance. If they do, they must stay out of school for one year.” I looked surprised as I did not remember that part of the application forms. I answered her that we would just have to stay out of school then for a year as we were convinced we were acting in the will of the Lord. She did not seem very pleased! About a week later I went to the principal and asked him whether he would marry us, “I would be delighted to” he answered. I have often wondered what conversation went on between him and his wife! We set the date for September 15.

Between the end of the school year and the beginning of July I worked on a farm and also sold Fuller Brush products and made enough money to get through the two summer months. I was able to stay in my room in the College. During July and August, Marina’s father, Marina herself and I, plus a team of young people held Vacation Bible Schools in 8 different towns all over Sask., as far north as Lac La Ronge, more than 700 km north of  the Bible College. In that town we had up to 125 children of all ages. Our schools would start on Monday morning 9am and stop at 4pm for 5 days, ending with a closing program on Friday night to which all the children and their parents were invited and in which the children had a large part. Those were exciting and blessed times, but also very tiring. We would pack up on Saturday, drive to the next town, set things up and start again on Monday morning. We came home the end of August broke and worn out, two weeks before our wedding, while hardly anything was ready……….! (Go to Musings)

Nr.38 ended with: “Next time the curious and interesting things, divine circumstances, God’s winks……!”

Divine guidance. I’ve always been a bit jittery when someone says “God told me”. I think it would be better to say, “I think God told me”, as it has to be tested. I mentioned: 1. The inner guidance of the Holy Spirit. 2. The conformation of God’s word and now, 3. Circumstances. These can be very clear at times, like for example, lack of finances and thus God closing the door. But it also comes in little ways; we call them God’s winks. For example, while Marina’s mother knew nothing about us yet, she gave Marina for Christmas a quilt, which she always only gave to those who were getting married. And Marina’s grandmother gave her a towel, which she only used to give to the married ones. She didn’t know anything either. God at times leads in small details. After the close of the school year we were engaged the beginning of May. We had not set a date for a wedding at all, but offers came in, a wedding dress, a wedding cake, a house free of charge as long as we fed some cattle every day, it was rally amazing and almost overwhelming. However, one of the College teachers told me that I was doing something irresponsible. How was I going to support my wife and possible future children? Marina and I had decided that if the Lord was calling us into His service, He would also provide for us. I was very discouraged after that talk and went to my room and fell on my knees crying to God. It came as a flash to me, “Get up from you knees and read My word.” I got up and opened the Bible and it fell open to Isaiah Isaiah 51:12, “I, even I, am He who comforts you.  Who are you that you should be afraid of a man who will die….” What a fitting word from the Lord, that’s all I needed! However, be careful, this is not God’s normal way of guidance. But then the principal’s wife talked to me……..! (Go to Musings)

Nr.37 ended with: “3. And then there were some curious and interesting things happening………………!”

However, before talking about these things, let me tell you a little bit of what was going on in our hearts and show you just a little of what was in our letters. We hope and pray that some young people will read this and realize how important it is to have God first in their lives and in seeking a partner. Marina wrote me the following: “Jesus is very close to me, He is closer than anything ever will be, closer than you will ever be.” And, “I love Him so much, more than I love you Richard, my dearest on earth.” And, “I’m so glad for our relationship which began in the Spirit and is continuing in the Spirit and by God’s grace will always be that way.” And, “Christ has blessed and enriched my life through you. Your letters are such a blessing and draw me closer to the Lord every time.” And, “I look forward to seeing you, the one who has added so much to my life. It is grace that brought us together dear, it is grace all the way!”

Here are some things I wrote to her, “Let us seek Jesus more and more and give Him first place.” And, “You mean much to me, very much, but Jesus means still more!” And, “I long for you, but I long so much more to see God’s will done in our lives.” And, “The Lord has been leading us thus far; there is just no doubt about that. How could we have such fellowship with Him and each other, if we were not walking according to His will?”

We have been absolutely amazed at how God blesses when we give Him first place in our lives, it is really incredible. As mentioned previously, God’s will is good, acceptable and perfect, Romans 12:2. We have been so blessed over more than 52 years that we have to pass this on to you and encourage you to seek Him and put Him first in everything.

Next time the curious and interesting things, divine circumstances, God’s winks……! (Go to Musings)

Nr.36 ended with: “Next time, more about this special lady whom I’ve known now for 52 years………….!”

When very young Marina heard the call of God to go abroad. At age 15, she went with her father who organized Vacation Bible Schools in many towns and villages in Saskatchewan where there were few or no Christians. Some of her friends and siblings also went along. After finishing Bible College and then training at the Child Evangelism Institute in Muskegon, Michigan, USA, she became director of Child Evangelism in Southwest Saskatchewan. She started children’s Bible clubs in many towns and villages and taught others how to hold clubs. She also came to the College to teach the students and to get some to come with her on evangelism weekends. One weekend I went along, that’s where it all started more than 52 years ago……………! After that first weekend I went along quite regularly and enjoyed it immensely. As mentioned before, we did not fall in love, we were drawn together by our passion for the Lord and His work. But as we worked together and experienced the Lord’s blessing in the work, love also began to grow. Yet both of us were afraid to go that way, fearing it may not be in the will of God. We wrote a lot of letters to each other and talked whenever possible. We still have those letters, but we won’t let you read them as they are in a sense “sacred” to us, but they give a real good picture of what was going on in our hearts and how the Lord was leading us. Back to discovering God’s will, there were always three things we watched for. 1. The inner voice of the Holy Spirit. 2. God speaking to us through His word. 3. Circumstances. We found that when these three lined up, we would have a pretty good idea of how the Lord was leading. And so it was now also: 1. We experienced the inner voice of God becoming stronger and stronger. 2. Large parts of what we wrote in our letters were verses the Lord was giving us. 3. And then there were some curious and interesting things happening………………! (Go to Musings)

Nr.35 ended with: “We also held evangelistic meetings in living rooms, little realizing that this is exactly what we were going to be doing in Belgium for 38 years. More about discovering God’s will next time……!”

Someone once said, “God’s will is a series of God given impressions that lead to a God given conviction.” This is a tremendous important statement and we have often found this to be true. I will come back to this as we come to different crossroads in our lives.

But before I go any further, let me introduce you to this most interesting lady, Marina. Marina Funk was born on February 26 in Herbert, Saskatchewan, after a 20 mile trip on a bob sled pulled by horses, through snow! Her parents were both Mennonites, her father was born in Canada, while her mother came with her parents and siblings from south Russia. They fled that country in 1925 after the Bolshevik revolution. Her grandfather, J. Nickel born in South Russia, served as a minister in the Mennonite Church there. He pastored 7 churches in Sask. and often visited 7 other churches farther away. So Marina’s mother’s name was Nickel. I tease her at times saying that I married half a nickel, she laughs and says, well at least I’m 2½ cents worth, you’re not worth anything, hah! Marina accepted the Lord Jesus as her Savior at a young age. When she was six years old her mother found her in the garden eating grass. When she was asked why she was doing that, she answered that she was preparing herself to be a missionary in Africa. From the age of 12 she dedicated her life to the Lord. Romans 12:1-2 were very special to her, “I beseech you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Next time, more about this special lady whom I’ve known now for 52 years………….! (Go to musings)

 

Nr.34 ended with: “So we prayed earnestly, individually, but also when we were together and then the Lord made it clear to us……………………..!”

Many Christians find it difficult to know what God’s will is for their lives or in a certain situation. We differentiate between the general will and the specific will of God. One example of the general will of God is 1Thess.5:16-18, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” So that’s not so difficult to know, to do this is something else, of course. But to know God’s specific will is for many much more difficult. Strangely enough, at that moment it wasn’t so difficult for us, and that was not because we were better than others, but because in a way we had an advantage. Not only did both of us fear to step out of the will of the Lord, it was also different because it wasn’t that we had fallen in love and now wanted to know whether it was God’s will for us to be married. As mentioned before, it wasn’t love that drew us together, but our passion for the Lord Jesus and the burning desire to tell His good news to as many as possible. All at once it dawned on me that this was totally different from what I had experienced in California. There the enemy tried to get me away from God’s purpose, but now it was actually the opposite. Marina was not drawing me away  but encouraging, and helping me in it, as in the same way, I was helping her. A couple of times on these weekends, while others were visiting people, she and I had gone into a home and met with one or two families. While Marina taught the children in a bedroom, I had a Bible study with the adults in the living room and God blessed that to the salvation of souls. We also held evangelistic meetings in living rooms, little realizing that this is exactly what were going to be doing in Belgium for 38 years. More about discovering God’s will next time……! (Go to Musings)

I wrote in nr.34, “The most important thing in life is the will of God. This world is in such a mess because people chose and choose to do their own will. Heaven is perfect and harmonious because God’s will is done there.”

I want to add something to this before continuing our story. This world is not only a mess; it is evil, very evil. Oh, there are good things in the world, but look at the world in its totality. One would think that after thousands of years we humans would have finally learned to live in peace with each other, but we are further from peace than ever before.  Now, for the first time in the world’s history man has the capability of destroying the whole human race, either through atomic, biological or chemical warfare.

Many people have problems with all the evil in the world, so do I. I get very upset when I see all the suffering, injustice and corruption in this world. But, some ask, where does evil come from? If God created everything He must have created evil too. Just a moment.

What is the last thing you do at night before you leave the living room to go to your bedroom? You turn on the darkness, don’t you? No, you don’t, you turn off the light. Darkness is the absence of light. When we want a room dark, we shut out the light, by closing the curtains for example. Do you get it? This world is dark because we have shut out the Light, God! And just as darkness is the absence of light, so is evil the absence of good. And what or Who is good and the source of all good? God! When we shut or push God out, good disappears and evil appears. For example, in the US God has been pushed out of the schools, no more Bible reading, no more prayer. And what has come in? Drugs, guns, teenage pregnancies etc., in other words, evil. What do we do to lighten up a dark room? We don’t turn off the darkness, we let in the light. What do we need to do to make a dark world light? Let in the Light! What do we need to do to get rid of evil, fight evil? No, let in the good, God. This is true for the world, for a nation and for us individually. Let good in, let God in. Are you letting God in? Are you helping to let God into this world and thus change the world? (Please share, this is important). (Go to Musings)

 

Nr.33 ended with: “We were both very much afraid to step outside the will of God, which was man’s original sin in the garden of Eden. But how were we to know His will…………?”

The most important thing in life is the will of God. This world is in such a mess because people chose and choose to do their own will. Heaven is perfect and harmonious because God’s will is done there. Jesus taught, ‘Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” My conversion was a surrender to the will of God, that’s when real life and joy started. I had fought against God’s will, because I thought it was difficult, hard and horrible, that it would take all the fun and happiness out of life. How wrong I was! Romans 12:2 says that God’s will is “good, acceptible and perfect.” And how true that is! The most perfectly happy and fulfilled person who ever lived on this planet was the Lord Jesus. He said, “For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of Him who sent Me” John 6:38. Just before dying that most cruel death, He prayed, “Father if it be possible let this cup (of suffering) pass from Me, nevertheless, not My will but Yours be done.” How could He do that? Hebr.12:2 says, “For the joy that was set before Him………..” He saw beyond the cross, He saw millions upon millions of people saved for all eternity, He saw you and me! So He did the will of God, the will of the Father. It is not always the easiest, but it IS the best.

Even though I was still a young Christian, I instinctively felt that I needed to stay in the will of God. Marina had been a Christian since being a young girl, she also knew how important this was. And so both of us did not dare to do anything unless God showed us that this was His doing. So we prayed earnestly, individually, but also when we were together and then the Lord made it clear to us……………………..! (Go to Musings)