The words that came out of this artist’s mouth one never-to-be forgotten day came to me as a complete, unexpected, and unparalleled shock. They were riveted in my mind in that instant in such as way that they could never be forgotten. I am not driven to tears very easily, but in that moment as I gazed up at the large, unassuming, country man before me, sudden, insuppressible tears sprung from my eyes, and I found no voice to speak.
It all began during the month of September. I had made a surprise visit to my Mother in Garden Plaza that month for her 94th Birthday present. How special and valuable the time was. We did everything together, including walking the halls downstairs where various local artists were selling and exhibiting their work. We admired and commented about each lovely picture. When my son came to visit, he was particularly drawn to two very well done, detailed pictures of old-time Montana scenes, with old barns and antique vehicles. Later my Mother and I decided we would buy these pictures for his birthday. They were $95 each. I called the number that was listed on the pictures and agreed with the man to meet him the next day and give him some money as a deposit and then at the end of the art show on September 28, I would pay the remainder and claim the pictures.
The next day I met him and gave a one hundred dollar bill as a deposit. I spoke to him briefly about his remarkable talent as an artist. When he asked me where I lived and what I did he was surprised to hear that I was and missionary to the Karen people in the jungles of Thailand. His questions led me to explain some of the dangers and the joys of my work. I love to recall the miracles of the Lord and the strength that He gives.
Mother and I came to the lobby September 28, looking for our artist. Many artists were entering and retrieving their paintings. Some were obviously upset that they hadn’t sold their pictures, still others were excited that they sold 2 or 3. One man came up to me with 2 of his pictures, extolling their beauty and asking me to please buy them. He was very persistent and continued with his sales pitch even after I explained that I had already bought 2 pictures for my son and couldn’t possibly afford another. It seemed like the entire atmosphere in the lobby that day was heavy with greed and money seeking. Finally I recognized the man whose pictures we were buying. We followed him to the room where his pictures were displayed. There he stood – and there hung his pictures . . . and then came the most stunning words out of his lips . . .
“I really admire the work you are doing to help those people in the jungle. Do you mind if I just give you those 2 pictures to help you out a little bit? It would really mean a lot to me!” . . . .With that he handed me back my crisp one hundred dollar bill.
Oh Lord there are still people in this old world whose hearts are soft and touched by the impressions of the Holy Spirit, who give ungrudgingly – even eagerly, and have a heart for missions and a longing to do their part to help the poor, the lost, and the suffering in other lands.