During World War II, my friend Dan and his older brother, Sam, lived about 100 miles from the nearest city in a cozy jungle village in the Philippines. They enjoyed eating bananas and other fruits from around their home, climbing trees, and exploring the beautiful area, just as curious young boys do.
Even though they lived many miles from the nearest city, Dan’s father headed into the city because he was eager to use as much of the Japanese money as he could, knowing it would soon lose all value once the U.S. Army arrived. While wandering through the city, Dan encountered a Christian family he knew who were in severe hardship, nearly starving. We couldn't leave them behind because they had no food and were too weak to live much longer.
Dan’s father and two hired men carefully loaded the family, including their three hungry small children, onto a two-wheeled cart beside the piano he had bought. They then began the 100-mile journey that took one week to complete. Throughout the trip, American bombers often flew overhead numerous times a day, targeting Japanese soldiers along the route. During these moments, everyone instinctively jumped from the cart and ducked into the ditches to stay safe.
For much of the journey, the road gently wound through beautiful, waving rice fields, with lush green mountains in the distance, leading up to the last village before their home village. Dan’s father kindly took the family to a home in the village, providing them with rest and shelter. Afterwards, they continued their journey with the cart carrying the piano, and navigating through the hills that became quite steep.
Dan Accepts the Mission to Run the Race Set Before Him
As soon as he arrived home, Dan’s father prepared a hearty meal and stored it carefully in a large canister. Then, he entrusted Dan (11) and Sam (13) with an important mission. He gently explained, “This trip is too dangerous for an adult. I’m not sure what might happen to you, but a young family out there is starving and truly needs this food to survive. God will be with you on this journey.” He then shared the address and details of the home where the family was waiting, and the boys nodded, showing they understood, because they knew where to go.
Dan and Sam took their food canister and set off on their journey. They moved quickly, whispering a prayer that they wouldn’t encounter the Japanese or be halted in their mission. As they reached the final hill before the village, they gently slowed down, hoping to stay unnoticed.
On the other side of the hill, with the village below, a Japanese regiment was approaching, each soldier carrying a gun. They politely stepped aside and bowed to show respect, then patiently waited for them to pass. The commanding officer paused and started speaking to them in Japanese. We couldn’t understand a word he said, so we just listened. The officer then pointed at the canister, took off the lid, and smelled the food. Finally, he said in broken English, “Very good!”
The whole regiment kept moving, and Dan and Sam began walking as they passed. “Don’t rush, or they might shoot us,” Sam cautioned. The boys made their way directly to the house where the family was resting and happily delivered the life-saving food.
They waited a few hours until it was quite late in the day, then began their journey home, hoping to stay out of sight of the Japanese soldiers. When they approached the same hill outside the village again, they saw the soldiers heading toward them. Sam gently suggested they walk slowly; they bowed respectfully and patiently waited. This time, they weren't stopped. As soon as they were past that hill, out of sight, they took off like a jackrabbit!
Dan and Sam made it safely home. The young family lived, and the piano had no bullet holes. The same seriousness and caution that Sam used to keep them safe made him a well-respected anesthesiologist for 40 years, and the same sense of daring and adventure made Dan an inspirational storyteller.
Sam went to sleep in Jesus in 2020 at the age of 90. He finished his race and kept the faith.
Dan and his family lived in a war zone, and they knew their mission. Do you know yours?
Call to Action
What is the mission God is calling you to do? Are you running the race God has set before you, or are you running your own race without any input from God?
Let God lead you. Run the race Jesus puts before you—and trust Him with every step.
“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:1-2
All scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
