pray. And pray they
did--there seemed to be nothing else they could do. Finally the
deacons made a special offering box for gifts for the new church
building, and the money began to come in. The gifts were more than
they expected; and yet they were but a drop in the bucket compared
with what was needed. Time passed, and the fund slowly grew.
Suggestions of "church bazaars" and "fun fairs" were made several
times (wherever had they heard of such things?). Mr. Trainer counseled
against them, but did not feel that he had the authority to forbid.
After all, the church was standing on its own feet, and it stood or
fell to Christ alone! But he spent much time in prayer, and none of
these suggestions was put into effect.

One Sunday an electrifying announcement was made. A wealthy
businessman in the city was offering them a suitable piece of property
for their building as an outright gift! The Christians redoubled their
efforts in giving, and that month they received ten times as much as
they had received in any one month before. A church in a city not too
far away heard of their efforts, and sent a contribution. Church
membership was growing, and all the new believers became interested in
giving. Then two of the deacons made a proposal: "Why can't we do most
of the work on the building ourselves? That will make it much less
expensive!"

The plans needed careful working out, but assistance was given by
someone's neighbor, who was a builder, and finally the work started.
Many of them put in long hours of back-breaking labor after their
regular work for the day had been completed. Difficulties appeared,
but prayer and perseverance prevailed. After the building was started,
many more gifts came in; and great was the rejoicing when the simple
little chapel was at last finished, and used for its first Sunday
morning service! Throngs of interested neighbors and friends turned up
for the meeting, and several of the deacons took turns at preaching. A
guest speaker had also been invited, the pastor of the church that had
sent an unsolicited offering to help with the building. The meeting
went on for more than two hours, but everyone was happy, and again and
again praises ascended to God for their own church building!

* * * * *

A couple of years passed. The work of Mr. Beaver and Mr. Trainer
continued as begun. Then suddenly the country was threatened by war.
Worse still, the missionaries were label