Covenanter Witness Vol. 86 - Rparchives.org

The Children'sPrayer Brings A Lost Boy Homeby Laura TrachselFounded on fact(Continued from last week)The darkness had settled down by the time thetroubled boy had plodded three miles. Just as hewas wondering what to do, a big mat shed loomedup by the road. Hundreds of poor people wereeating porridge in this kitchen provided by thegovernment. Here was warmth from steamingbowls of millet, food for an empty stomach, anda bed of straw for an aching body. At length, thethrifty manager sighted the newcomer and wasquick to make a bargain with him."I will give you food if you will wash dishes. Youmust promise never to leave this place."The youthful traveler was so glad for shelterthat he quickly promised, without thinking of theanxiety it would cause in his old grandmother'shome.After a day, the uncle's anger cooled and hebecame a bit concerned about his nephew's safety.So he mounted his favorite donkey and hurried overto Older Brother's house. After talking about wheatand millet crops, the weather, and work in thespinning factories, the uncle casually asked, "Whereis the useless little one?" The father looked surprised,"Isn't he at your house? No? Then he is lost.Oh, my son, my son!"Grandma Ho was sitting on the brick bed makingcloth-soled shoes and heard the conversation. Hereyes filled with tears as she put her head down toher lap and began to pray. Two weeks dragged byand still Elegant Splendor did not appear. In desperationGrandma Ho locked her latticed door andstarted her two-mile journey to the mission wheremany would join her in prayer for the return of hergrandson. Kind, sympathizing hearts were open toher story in the prayer meeting, and all united inone volume of prayer that the boy might come home.The day after the prayer meeting, the fatherremarked to his old mother, "Perhaps the foolishlad has returned to Younger Brother. I shall go andsee, as I cannot have peace of heart until heisfound."As Mr. Ho approached the porridge kitchen,for such large sheds were not common in the country.As he passed the building he glanced at the opendoor where stood a hesitant little figure."Is that you, Son?" was the glad cry of the fatheras he recognized the figure of Elegant Splendor.The happy boy laughed. "Why, how could thisbe? I have never stepped to the door before, butjust now I had a funny feeling inside me that I mustcome to the door and look out to the road. And Isee you the very first thing!""Son, your grandmother would say that Godhas heard prayer in bringing you to us again. Letus hurry home, and she will explain this miracleto you."When Grandma Ho saw her little boy she couldonly weep and say over and over again, "Tsan meichu" ("Praise the Lord").The next (Sabbath) Elegant Splendor and hisgrandmother went together to the meeting at themission. The same ones who had prayed so earnestlyfor the boy's return were now filled with praiseto a prayer-answering God. Best of all, ElegantSplendor said, "I must find Christ as my Savior."So the boy who was lost from his father's house becamea found boy because God heard and answeredprayer.The Sunday School Times10 COVENANTER WITNESS