Testimony: Helen Friesen

“‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,’ says the Lord; ‘for as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.’” (Isaiah 55:8-9)

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I would like to testify how great the goodness of the Almighty God has been upon us this past year.

First of all, I am deeply grateful to God for salvation. At the age of 15 years, I answered God’s call and received forgiveness of my sins. Already in my youth, God’s way was often quite different than I would have chosen. I must say that throughout my entire life, I often could not understand God’s way. I went through many a dark valley; however, when I had prayed my way through it, I could say with the Psalmist: “Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness” (Psalm 112:4).

Even during my later years, things turned out quite differently than I had hoped and wished for. I was employed at the school in Neustädt for 26 years. Since I turned 69 last year, I decided the time had come to retire. During my first years of employment, I was not enrolled in the “Seguro” (insurance), so I was still three years short of qualifying for retirement. So, there we were, with no house and no income. Our sons told us they would take care of us, but for me it was very embarrassing. I thought a lot about my life, how the Lord healed me many times. When the boys were younger, the Lord interceded and saved me twice from death. I said, “Lord, it is enough; now let me go home and I will be taken care of forever.” The whole situation became so difficult for me that I could no longer deal with it inwardly.  I kept myself busy on the farm, where I could talk to God a lot.

During this time, Brother Schmitt from Rosal brought the message from Luke 12:22, “Do not worry about your life.” He said, “Look at the ravens, how they fly so carelessly.” I said to myself, “That is impossible for me. I cannot look at the ravens, because here in our country I have hardly seen a raven.” How surprised I was when soon one did appear. I looked at the raven making its rounds so seemingly free of care. This repeated itself for two weeks. Every day, the raven came, made its rounds, and disappeared. The song “I’m a Child of the King” came to my mind. Very slowly, I began to sing, and suddenly I said to myself, “What? You don’t sing it like that!” I quickly checked to make sure there were no neighbors outside, and then I started singing as loud as I could.

My father is rich in houses and lands. 

He holdeth the wealth of the world in His hands! 

Of rubies and diamonds, of silver and gold, 

His coffers are full – He had riches untold! 

I’m a child of the King! A child of the King!

With Jesus, my Savior, I’m a child of the King!

I said to myself, “Royal children are provided for!” There, under the open sky, I could say “yes” to the help of our son. From that day on, the raven no longer returned. 

The community decided that we could live rent-free in a community apartment. We are very grateful for this.

My heavenly Father opened the windows of heaven very wide above us. Especially at Christmas, several gifts came. It was so special; no one brought the same gift. It was as if everything was planned in heaven. Also, here and there, brothers and sisters put some money in my hand. Once, there was some money in our mailbox in the church foyer. Then in my Bible, which I had left in church, there was an envelope with money. Meat was also given to us. Another time, there was a small bag of oranges outside the door. What else was so special is that we needed a new freezer. I kept quiet about it and didn’t tell our sons either. To my great surprise, money was sent to us, and it was exactly enough for a freezer! I said, “How great has the goodness of the Almighty God been upon us!” The way of the Lord is always the best!

With deep gratitude,

Helen Friesen 

Neustädt, Mexico

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