"Earl Dix: Adventurer for God"

A couple of weeks ago Melissa and I met with a couple from our small group as we continue to seek financial partners in our call to minister in Haiti.  It was a great meeting - we got to know them much better in an hour and a half of face to face time than we have in months of small group meetings. 

For instance, I knew this couple had been to Africa for a short term mission trip, but had no idea the wife's grandparents had been full-on lifetime missionaries to Africa for over 50 years:  1929 to 1983.  She loaned me her grandfather's autobiography:

I have a longstanding LOVE for autobiographies of missionaries.  Even better is an autobiography of a missionary the world at large took little notice of - but who impacted that world in incredible ways through simple obedience to God's voice. 

Some lessons God reminded me of - in a timely way - through this little book:

1.  God prepares us in unexpected ways for service in his kingdom.  The know-how and work ethic Earl Dix developed as a child growing up on a farm in Nebraska were put to excellent use all across the back country of Zaire. 

2.  If we are even a little bit open to God's leading, He might take it and run with it.  Earl went to Moody to get some Bible training so he could "make a contribution in Sunday school" classes back home, but while at school, a friend encouraged him to check out missions to Africa.  He went to see the Director of Africa Inland Mission to get a brochure on missions - just to check out the possibility - and was mistaken for a candidate.  Before he knew it, he was in the midst of an interview and they were praying over him as if he were an established candidate!

3.  If we can trust God for the little things, we better be willing to trust God for the big things too.  (And "God's timing is perfect".)  Everything quickly fell into place for Earl and his fiancee to leave for the mission field in October of 1929 - approval, funds, passports, etc.  Earl was trying to figure out what the hurry was.  They sailed out of New York harbor on the morning the stock market crashed.  Even though it shook the markets worldwide, the missionary couple was able to get established in Zaire and God provided the support they needed each step of the way.

At the risk of my mom reading this and finding one more thing to worry about (if she hasn't already thought of this herself!), I will tell you one of the fears that lurks in the back of my mind.  And because I am hoping it is silly, I have not even shared this with Melissa (but she'll read this and we can talk about it then!):  WHAT IF we get our family to Haiti and, some time later, the U.S. economy collapses in a big way under the weight of national debt and unsustainable spending?  (Please tell me I'm being silly!)  WHAT IF such a collapse wipes out our bank account and all our support?  Would we be able to return to the U.S.?  What would we do for a paycheck even if we did return?  (Could never happen, right? Right??)

This is a shadowy fear, clear in the back of my mind, but it does pop into my consciousness now and then.  And then along comes the perfect antidote: this little book about a missionary whose first real step toward the mission field occurs simultaneously with the onset of the Great Depression.  I am reminded that it doesn't really matter if this particular fear of mine proves to be silly OR  prescient - what I need to remember right now is that God WILL provide, protect and lead.  I can't let any "what if?" paralyze me.

4.  Evangelism isn't just for the mission field.  On their way down the coast of Africa, Earl and his fiancee, Helena, shared the boat with a Hollywood movie crew bound for Kenya to film a movie called "Congorilla" (Ha!): 



I wonder if it's on Netflix??

 Anyway, Helena ended up in conversation one night mid-journey with the picture's sound man who admitted that he was a bit nervous about the project because the plan was to use recordings of the actual African animals in the movie.  It was going to require him getting dangerously close to wild beasts with his microphone in hand!  Helena led him to Christ - and true security - as they stood at the railing on the ship's deck.

5.  We cannot be witnesses for Christ in the wider culture if we compromise our beliefs.  At one point early in their career, Earl and Helena used an extended safari as an excuse to get out and meet some of the tribes living close to their home base.  They came upon a place called Pangba which had a watering hole where many animals gathered.  The local chief told Earl that he could hunt at Pangba if he wanted, but to not expect success unless he offered a sacrifice to the god of the watering hole.  The chief warned that without a sacrifice, the best Earl could expect would be to wound an animal and then lose it in the tall elephant grass and  jungle  surrounding the water.  Earl told the chief, "My God is a jealous God" who would not allow a sacrifice to any other.  The chief even suggested a possible solution:  Earl could give some little object he didn't want or need to one of the villagers, who would then make the sacrifice on his behalf!  Earl remained steadfast.

A couple of the locals went along with Earl's party to Pangba to see what would happen.  Earl had only the gun he had brought from Nebraska (a "varmint gun" for small game) and was a bit worried about how it would be interpreted if he failed to kill an animal.  A couple of times individual gazelles came within range, but each time Earl shot, he missed.  The animal would get spooked and bolt off into the jungle.  Eventually, the locals left, assuming the hunt was a waste of time.

At sunset, a herd of eleven gazelle gathered at the water's edge and Earl decided to belly crawl within shooting range.  The animals didn't spook.  He fired eleven shots and, even with the delays of reloading, the gazelle stayed in place and dropped one by one.  Only one ran wounded and it made it just to the edge of the forest!

On their way back to the village with the haul of meat to share, Earl spotted three water buck and killed them as well.  The next day, he killed three hartebeast, another gazelle and a hippo!  On the third day, the villagers asked Earl not to take his gun with him back to Pangba because their shoulders were blistered from carrying all the meat.  The chief willingly admitted, "Your God overpowered the god of the Pangba."

*****
There were many other great stories in this little book.  No doubt his good work in Africa made a lasting impact that continues to this day, but how awesome is it that his story can still instruct and encourage me - a complete stranger - over a quarter century past his death? 

Pretty awesome!


P.S. I need to return this copy of the book to his granddaughter, but you can find it on Amazon right here.