Dreaming
The Bible tells that young men shall see visions
and old men shall dream dreams.
Being eighty-eight years old, I have dreamed dreams!
I dreamed of having a high-steepled church
that might suggest how much we think of God.
Instead
He gave me the porch of Dona Francisca’s home as an altar
and the sandy streets in front of her house
as aisles which reached to the Atlantic Ocean,
the heavens for a dome,
the Southern Cross as a background,
and for pews, each worshiper bringing his chair or box,
while the children sat on the sandy streets.
I dreamed of constructing great, modern,
impressive buildings to "The Glory of God".
Instead
He showed me the growth of faith in the lives
of neglected people, changing their fatalistic attitudes to
"I can do all things in Him who strengthens me" or
"I have learned to find resources in myself whatever the circumstances."
I dreamed of having a great choir
and a very capable, dedicated choir director.
Instead
He gave me Agnes, my wife, playing a portable pump organ,
and a choir of fishermen and their families
whose music harmonized
with the wind of the sea and the clap of the waves.
I dreamed of influencing governments
and nations to help a needy world.
Instead
He gave me the knowledge that broken homes can be mended,
sad lives were becoming happy,
despondent people were being filled with hope,
complacent young people were becoming fervent crusaders
for a new heaven and a new earth,
and barefooted children were learning to sing joyfully.
I dreamed of a church
with a competent Director of Christian Education,
beautiful classrooms, the latest equipment, the finest literature.
Instead
He gave me my wife, teaching more than a hundred children from the small houses and huts on the narrow streets to sing "Jesus Loves Me, This I know" and "Little Feet, Be Careful."
I dreamed of organizing programs
that would feed a hungry world
and of hearing the response of thankful governments.
Instead
I had the privilege of seeing the delighted and thankful smiles
on the faces of small undernourished children
as buns were given them in Vacation Bible School.
I dreamed of preaching to well-dressed,
well-nourished, important, successful people.
Instead
He gave me congregations of which many were wondering when the next daily bread would come or where the next job would be found.
I dreamed of having a very comfortable car, an impressive one.
Instead
He gave me a sixteen-year-old Willys, which carried me to people, many of whom had never owned a pair of shoes.I dreamed of being able to attend
great concerts among my own people.
Instead
He gave me the opportunity of hearing choruses of children yelling joyfully as they ran to meet us: "Here come the Americanos."
I dreamed of representing my church at great conferences.
Instead
He conferred on me the responsibility of presenting the needs of weak, neglected people to an all-loving God.
Yes, I have dreamed many dreams,
and God in His loving way has answered all of them,
making me much happier than I could ever have dreamed of being.
Will and Agnes Rogers served as missionaries in Brazil for twenty-eight years; Agnes was born there.
