(This is the first of a 4 part series of events from my life and illustrations of how the Lord works.)
I was born into a Christian home in a little hamlet near Kingston, New York. I accepted Christ as my Savior at an early age and from then on had a burning desire to serve Him. God directed our family to a church with a strong missionary emphasis. This exposed me to the needs of lost souls in other lands. From then on my focus was the mission field.
The burial of my mother the day before my sixteenth birthday, and the sudden death of my father that called me home during my junior year in college, were part of God’s plan to cast myself on Him. His Word promised that He saw my need and He would care for me. “For the ways of a [woman] are before the eyes of the Lord, and He watches all [her] paths” (Prov. 5:21). He certainly did! He was my EL ROI, my “One who sees.” Heartaches are the means of our becoming bitter or better. The choice is ours. God directed me to continue my walk with Him. I have never regretted making the “better” choice.
I entered college with only one purpose–preparation for the mission field. In my senior year, I met a war veteran with the same purpose. One year later Robert Pritchett and I became one. After further preparation, we set sail for the Philippines. God lead us all the way. He gave us the desire of our hearts, which of course, was His outworking all along.
After eleven years in the Philippines, we took our second home duty assignment for the purpose of receiving higher degrees, planning to return and continue teaching in a Bible institute and seminary–FEBIAS. God had other plans. Robert died from a heart attack while jogging. Again, God sustained me and added another chapter to my life, teaching me who He is so that I could know what He would do for me. He was my EL SHADDAI–my “all–sufficient One.” My Rock. My Refuge. My very present help in time of trouble (Psalm 46:1). (Norma A. Whitcomb)
