Ebenezer’s Grandson

As Phyllis later told the story, after they got back to their apartment in Schlechtnau, Leonard sat down with the plans and went very quiet. After an hour or so he went to find Phyllis and looking rather embarrassed said: ‘Darling, I think we need the whole of this. If we had one of the planned apartments it would really be too large for just the two of us, but if we had the whole complex, we could use it as the centre for our ministry. We would have rooms to accommodate guests ourselves, and if redecorated in a light colour that entertainment room would provide a lovely lounge for Bible studies and a general sitting area for our guests.’ ‘But Len,’ exclaimed his wife in alarm. ‘How could we finance that? Remember all those rooms are empty. We shall need to furnish them before we could do anything. And if the rent is twice what they are asking for a single apartment, that’s an enormous price. Also, at the moment there is no kitchen. And then she added with a smile, ‘However there are five bathrooms!’ ‘I haven’t overlooked all those things,’ answered Leonard. ‘It would be a tremendous step of faith, and we would need to be sure this is what God wanted for us. But if it’s His purpose He can easily ensure we have what we need.’ ‘It’s certainly true that He looked after us in Switzerland,’ responded Phyllis. ‘It certainly hasn’t been easy, in fact many times I just longed to give it all up and get back to Britain, but we were always able to pay the rent and God has really blessed our sons and it would seem He has blessed other people through us.’ ‘I’ll give Herr Schwörer a ring,’ said Leonard, after thinking for a while. ‘I’ll simply say we might be interested in renting the whole premises and ask what this would cost. We must then pray and ask the Lord for some reassurance from Him that this is His will and that He will provide for us.’ Herr Schwörer was delighted about their enquiry. He said he would get back to them with a definite rent and also if they did decide to rent it as one entity, his men would redecorate the whole place through in whatever colour scheme they wanted. But he would really need an answer, yes or no, by Monday morning as by then his workmen were scheduled to start work on the premises. Oh dear! An urgent decision was necessary and how could they be sure it was the right thing to do? Communication with friends in Britain was not easy, and how could anyone so far away advise them anyway. The natural human approach would be to make a decision on the basis of funds available, income expected, and set this against the cost of the venture. But they had no funds and no settled regular income at all. From a human point of view, it was utterly foolish and reckless even to contemplate renting such premises. And yet there were so many biblical stories to prove that God honoured steps of faith made in His name and under His guidance. Leonard and Phyllis prayed, seeking the Lord to reveal to them whether this was His will or not, and if so, to strengthen their faith to sign the contract that would be presented to them. It was the end of the season and they had planned one more Sunday morning service in the Todtnau church, even though the previous Sunday no one had come. That Sunday morning a single gentleman came into the church. He was an Asian man and they later discovered he was from Singapore and was in the Black Forest on business. He was staying in Titisee and had seen the notice about their service in the information office there. They had a short time of worship together and Leonard shared the message he had prepared. They then invited the man back to have some lunch with them and this led to him inviting them back to his hotel for an evening meal. During the time they had together, they felt able to share with him the burden of the decision they had to make by the next morning. The gentleman was a man of faith, and spoke of the work he was doing with the ‘Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship’ in Singapore. He encouraged them strongly to trust God and venture forward in faith. As they left him in Titisee, he stood on the steps of the hotel and, putting his arms around them both, prayed for them. Leonard and Phyllis don’t remember his name and there has been no contact from him since that Sunday evening, but they felt strongly he was God’s messenger, sent to confirm to them the step of faith they were about to take. With some trepidation, but believing this was God’s guidance, Leonard and Phyllis signed the contract to rent the whole premises of self-contained rooms in the upper story of the green wing of the Reiterhof building. They were agreeing to a monthly rent of about four times what they were paying for their apartment in Schlechtnau. Their sons Geoffrey and Daniel had been following with interest all that was happening and were concerned about them, knowing they had to vacate their apartment. Daniel rang from the holiday he and Martina were having in Greece. ‘How are things going Dad? Have you found another apartment yet?’ came the enquiring voice over the phone. ‘Yes son, we’ve just signed a contract for another place. It’s effectively a small guesthouse with an enormous lounge.’ ‘Wow Dad! What’s it costing?’ When Leonard told his son the rent they needed to pay, Daniel turned to Martina next to him with the comment. ‘Dad’s flipped.’