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Some years after leaving Alexandria, Louisiana, God called Brother Bustin into missionary work, to Australia and other parts of the earth. Eventually, Brother Bustin felt God was talking to him about going to New Guinea. As he prayed, he told the Lord he would like to carry the gospel to New Guinea but "my hands are full in the West Indies, and Thou seeth that I have no means to use in opening a work in New Guinea. Father, Thy servant is willing to go, and if necessary even be eaten by these wild people in order that they might have the gospel. Lead me clearly."
The next morning, he heard a knock at his door, and upon opening it, there stood a lady who told him how she was praying and God told her to give Brother Bustin one hundred pounds ($320.00 in American currency) for New Guinea. God sent the rest of the needed money in and soon he was on his way to New Guinea. There he blazed a trail for God, going among cannibals and other dangers. In one part, he ventured where no other white man had ever been, except perhaps a few government men, or explorers had been in the general area. God has mightily honored his efforts, and in a recent letter that I received from Brother Bustin, he states, "The greatest and wildest venture ever made was when I was in Australia, 44 years ago last summer, and God put it in my heart to go into a large area of raw savages far up into the highlands of New Guinea, even though I was told that I could not get into that closed territory. I told the Lord that if He would give me a thousand dollars, or the equivalent, I would go even if the savages would eat me. No person on earth knew what I had said to the Lord. Immediately the money came, and I was soon on the way. Incidentally, I have just recently learned that the work of the Bible Mission over there now has about three hundred national preachers and not one of these, to the best of my knowledge, is receiving any promised support from America. My heart was melted to tears when I heard that two of these national men were in a revival where fifteen hundred were brought to God. I can't take much credit for what has been done over there; but I thank God I went."
May God bless Brother Bustin in his continued labors for God. I quote again from his letter: "All across the years until this hour, we have had no promised support from any source, yet our God has been faithful." Amen! We are serving a great God. Praise His Name forever!
Author
Bible School Days
When my son, Danny, was in Bible school, he had a roommate by the name of Tim Hiles, whose mother had passed away. He had come to Bible school because it had been his mother's heart desire for him to attend. He was a young lad as was my son and I longed to be able to help him financially, but with a big family and our own responsibilities and school bills, there was just no extra to spare. But I would write him and try to encourage him like his mother would have done had she lived. One day I sent him a promise from God's Word, " ... My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus" Philippians 4:19. Later, Tim left the school and I lost track of him.
One morning, some years later, I received a long distance call. The voice with a northern accent said, "Hi, can you guess who this is?" I answered, "No, I'm sorry, but I have no idea who you are." He quoted, " ... My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Then he asked, "Now do you know who I am?" I answered, "I'm sorry but I still do not know who you are." He then told me he was my son's previous roommate, and reminded me of the time I sent him the promise, which I had long ago forgotten. He continued, "You will never know what this promise has meant to me down through the years. I have stood on it and have seen God move in wonderful ways in supplying needs in my behalf." How this testimony encouraged my heart. I remembered how badly I wanted to help him financially but was unable, but I had given him what I could, a promise from God's Word, and it far surpassed anything I could have done financially. The Scripture from Acts 3:6 comes to my mind, "Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I unto thee." Had I had money to give, it would have long been gone, but the precious Word of God had endured down through the years.
Once again Tim faded out of my life. I often wondered where he was and how he was doing spiritually and otherwise. I would write him in care of his grandmother but he never answered. One day, I asked God to let me hear from him again. One night, I was sick in bed and the phone rang and who could it be but Tim? How faithful our God is.
Again, years went by, perhaps eighteen or twenty or more, when again I got a phone call from Tim. He had been backslidden for many years but again the prodigal son came home to Father's house, so once again he had called to share the good news. Then, last year, I was at Hobe Sound, Florida attending a camp meeting, and a young man walked up to me. "Are you Sister McCain?" he asked. I replied, "Yes, I am," as I wondered who this stranger could be. "I'm Tim Hiles," he introduced himself. My, how good it was to see him again. God is good to let our paths cross once more. How we do appreciate His wonderful goodness to us.
In Straight Paths Page 22
