“I am very sure that Jehovah will hear your prayers,” I remarked, “if you offer them up according to His own appointed way, through Jesus Christ; but still He will take His own good time to bring about what you desire. My father often says we must not expect to have our prayers answered exactly in the way we wish. God knows what is best, and oftentimes He does not accomplish that which we desire; and though we cannot comprehend His reasons, still it is our duty to pray on in faith, without ceasing. Jehovah, too, often allows those He loves to suffer; and though they may complain that the sufferings are very hard to bear, He will assuredly lift them up and support them, for He has said, ‘My strength is made perfect in weakness,’” (2 Corinthians 12 verse 9). This conversation lasted till we reached the house of Abela, Lisele’s aunt.
Abela was a woman of about forty, her face, though not handsome, and with a serious expression, was mild and pleasing. She was dressed in an ample petticoat, made from the fibres of the hibiscus, while over her shoulders she wore a tippet somewhat resembling a small poncho, which completely shrouded the upper part of her form. Having finished the labours of the day (for although of high rank, she was compelled, like others, to work for her support), she was seated on a mat, with a book open on her knees, from which she was endeavouring to read. Not having long been a convert, she had as yet made but little progress in her studies. She affectionately welcomed her niece and me as we took our seats near her. Lisele then eagerly poured forth what she had been hearing, so rapidly, that I could scarcely follow her.
“It is all true,” said Abela, when her niece at length ceased speaking. “I praise Jehovah that you know it.”
When, however, Lisele told her of her wish to go back to her father, Abela hesitated. “He will not understand you, my child,” she exclaimed, “and perhaps will not allow you to return to people whom he may think so foolish.”
“Oh, but I’ll pray for him,” answered Lisele. “I’ll ask Jehovah to help me, and I know He will hear me, so I shall not have to trust to my own strength.”
Abela remained silent for some time, and I saw that she was engaged in prayer.
“You shall go, my child,” she said at length. “Jehovah will take care of you, and may He prosper your undertaking.”
Delighted at having obtained this permission, Lisele returned to spend the evening with us, for my father wished to have an opportunity of speaking to her. He warned her of the opposition she must expect to meet with from her people, and of the dangers she would have to encounter, especially as he knew that she had been sought in marriage by a young heathen chief, who might wish to detain her.
“But now I know the truth. I will never consent to marry one who is a heathen,” she answered. “And I do not intend to remain. I will only try to persuade my father to visit you, and then I will return.”
Lisele set off the next day, accompanied by two Christian people of her tribe, who promised to protect her from the heathens, and aid her return should it be opposed, even although they might risk their lives in so doing. We were very sorry to lose her, as we feared that efforts would be made to prevent her returning among us.