May 4,1997
Dear Br. Sloan:
I would like to share with you some of our experiences while following the Lord that they may encourage your own faith.
Sevilla and I first moved into the country in 1984. For many years,
previous to our move, we felt the prompting of the Holy Spirit
to leave the city for the country, but, because of our visual
handicap, we felt such a move was ill-advised, for how would we
purchase our groceries or other necessities if we could not walk
to the store, take a bus, or taxicab.
One afternoon, we finally came to an agreement that we would trust
the Lord, and, if an opportunity opened up, we would venture forth
into the great unknown. Whenever we trust the Lord by faith, it
never takes him long to present an opportunity to test that faith.
Less then 48 hours later, we learned of a rental house that was
available at the beginning of the month approximately ten miles
from Chattanooga where we were then living, at the time. While
such a move was not exactly what I envisioned as living in the
country, it was far enough removed from the grocery stores etc.,
so that our faith would be tested
We moved to our new home in midwinter. For the next six weeks,
the weather was gorgeous and we did not starve, then the rains
began. During the intervening weeks, the Landlady had many of
the trees that surrounded the house cut down, leaving the ground
rutted and torn. When the rains began, this area turned into thick,
gooey mud. The only way we could leave the house, without sinking
out of sight in the mud was literally to walk a series of plants
laid end to end from the front door to the driveway, approximately
150 feet away.
You can imagine the spectacle of a partly blind man leading a
totally blind woman over wobbly planks, trying not to slip off
into the mud and partially succeeding. It was so bad that we had
to wear old clothes and change into our Sabbath clothes on the
front porch of a house at the bottom of the hill whenever we wanted
to go to church.
That winter, the Lord tested our faith and perseverance to the
limit, but we remained in the country. We stayed there for almost
three years, then moved to Eidosn, 17 miles north of Rogersville
in NE Tennessee. Now we were even further from the stores, but,
as with Ringgold, our former home, we never lacked for the essentials.
Time after time, we wondered how we would purchase our necessities,
but the Lord always provided a way. First one neighbor would help
us, then, when he or she grew tired of being selfless, another
neighbor would help. After a slight sojourn back in town again,
we moved to Del Rio, approximately 17 miles from Newport. Here,
we knew absolutely no one, but, again the Lord provided.
Shortly after moving in, we were paid a visit by the Schwan’s
Fine Foods truck. If we could not go to the grocery store, then
the grocery store would come to us. For a short time our Landlord
disposed of our garbage, as there is no garbage pick up in our
area, then when he moved to Texas, during the winter, the Lord
provided another neighbor who was willing to help with this less
then pleasant job.
Cocke county provided another answer to prayer in the form of
the East Tennessee Human Resource Agency and its vans for transporting
handicapped persons. Over the next year, we became familiar with
Darius and David, the two van drivers, who faithfully transported
us back and fourth as needed.
I could go on, citing many other instances of providential help,
but these will suffice.
The Lord has demonstrated, time and time again, his willingness
and ability to provide for our needs. Will he not do as much for
you, whom he loves with an infinite love and tenderness? Let us
place our confidence and trust firmly in his hands, he has never
lost a soul who thus trusts him.
May God richly bless you with an abundance of faith and trust.
Your brother in Christ.
Allen A. Benson