Women in Danger    
   Continued from Saturday

   While mother and daughter headed for the train station, a stranger told them it wasn't safe. He put them on his truck bed and covered them with vegetables. Freedom fighters stopped the truck, but didn't notice the women. 

   Next, they boarded a train marked "prisoners." The next train out was not marked, and everyone was killed, she said. 

   The family survived and reunited. They boarded a ship for Holland, the young girl now with double pneumonia and measles.  

   In the belly of the ship, she added mumps to her problems. To protect others, the captain gave the first mate's quarters over to the family. 

   In Holland, an ambulance took her to grandmother's house. On doctor's advice, her mother took her to the beach, where they rented a room. In a month when rain is common, this youngster enjoyed weeks in the sunlight and recovered. 

   As a teenager, she worked as a phone operator for the queen. Housing and jobs were limited, with so many Dutch having returned home. The queen supported her request to move to America. 

   She married, now a widow, and has two daughters in New England. She and her husband spent many winters in Florida, where she attended the church we now call our home. We don't expect her back next winter.

   She leaves us with encouragement."The Lord will never leave us or forsake us. Glorify his name. Give him honor and praise." 

   And her prayer: "Lord, thank you for your presence. We know that nothing is impossible for you. Hear our prayers. We give you honor and praise. In the name of Jesus."