Coincidence or God: Stories from the Road Gone By

By Millie Larson

My book recounts stories from my sixty-plus years of service and adventure as a Bible translator. Whether I was about to be drowned in a whirlpool in the Peruvian jungle, stranded alone in the African country side, arriving from a flight across the Pacific Ocean only to be told the borders are closed to my destination, or needing to buy a new house, each event shows the presence or intervention of God on my behalf. Some might say it was just a coincidence, but I say it was God.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Inspiring Voices
• Release date: Oct 10, 2012
• ISBN: 9781462403455

Millie Larson

Dr. Mildred “Millie” Larson is a lifetime member of Wycliffe Bible Translators and SIL International. She is a translator, teacher, administrator, and writer. Among her published works is Treasure in Clay Pots, the story of her twenty-five years working with Indians on the Upper Amazon. As an international translation coordinator, she visited many countries as a consultant. Her textbook, Meaning-Based Translation, is used in universities around the world.

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Copyright © 2012 Mildred L. Larson

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ISBN: 978-1-4624-0344-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4624-0345-5 (e)

Inspiring Voices rev. date: 10/05/2012

Contents

Acknowledgements

Introduction

The Sparrow

A Child’s Journey

The Gift of Faith

Borders Closed

Professor H

Uncle Carl’s Gift

In His Hand

To Go or Stay?

The Word in Action

Greater is He

A Home in Dallas

The Whirlpool

The Sofa

Urakusa Turnabout

Boat Ride to Kaupan*

Following the Cloud

Friends Helping

The Journey North

Home in the Northwoods

About the Author

Acknowledgements

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I would like to thank each of the following for their contribution to this book.

Jane Larson, my niece-in-law, painted the picture on the cover called A sparrow looking back at the road gone by.

Elsie Cook, an experienced editor and personal friend edited the entire manuscript.

Wycliffe Bible Translators gave me permission to use three stories they published previously.

Throughout the book there are occasional references to colleagues with whom I worked in Peru. The five of us who worked with the Aguaruna over the years were Jeanne Grover, Martha Jakway, Dennis and Susie Olson and I. The Aguaruna people are also a significant part of some of the stories.

Introduction

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Genesis 48:15(LB) God has led me all my life long to this day.

One of the joys of having joined the very elderly is the joy of being able to look back to the road gone by.* As I look back I can clearly see that God has led me all the way.

In the midst of all my memories there are a few that stand out because they involved an intense sense of God’s presence or intervention. They are events where another observer may well say: It was just a coincidence, but I believe it was God caring for me, his child, or God answering a prayer in a very specific way.

In recounting these events I have made no attempt to be chronological except for a few at the end related to my move back to Minnesota in 2000. Otherwise they are isolated incidents. A couple of stories from the period of l952-75 when I lived in Peru and worked among the Aguaruna people, are also found in my book, Treasures in Clay Pots. From 1976-2000, I lived in Dallas, but a good deal of my time there was spent traveling overseas for workshops and for administrative duties.

By looking back on these special events, I gain courage for those few years that yet remain in my pilgrimage. I have assurance that my Shepherd will lead me all the way. May they also bring encouragement to those who read them.

*O Father of light and leading,

From the top of each rising hill

Let me cast my eye on the road gone by

To mark the steps of Thy will.

—Matheson*

*Sacred Songs by George Matheson, p.78, posted on the Internet.

The Sparrow

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Luke 12:7 (LB): Never fear, you are of far more value than a flock of sparrows.

I walked as fast as I could from the Abidjan airport to the Air Ivorie