“Watch out” cried a youth in his late teens, as he quickly scampered up a steep gravel embankment. The diminutive figure of his friend dressed in an old worn-out and loose black jacket tried to catch up, barely keeping up with the grey sunset shadows cast by his nimbler friend just ahead. These two just tried to steal a car on a street below only to notice a couple of policemen walking up the lane in the most crucial moment. Now, there was no time to linger as they scrambled away.
They escaped unscathed except for a few scratches and gut-wrenching terror inside. Scared, they had to pose to recover before returning to their simple, overcrowded and not always plentiful home. Life surely had its challenges and growing up in post WWI was certainly not easy. It was especially true for the older prankster, Bob. Although always busy and engaged, his parents struggled to provide for him and six other brothers. Being the eldest, Bob left school to lend a hand.
Even for a mature adult this burden was not light as the lures of petty crime; alcohol and reckless living started taking strong root. It was becoming ever more difficult to overcome life’s tribulations such as these, but Bob’s mother, Bertha, a devoted Christian never stopped praying for her son.
One day her prayers were answered when Bob accepted a friend’s invitation to attend a gospel service in 1934. During the service, Bob was overwhelmed by a sweet old hymn, beautifully sung at the end of the service. His heart melted with repentance and sorrow. As he got back home, he wanted to be alone, so he shut his room’s door and sat down. Now alone with Jesus, Bob broke down crying, confessing and pleading for the Saviour’s salvation! He was a new man; he was a child of the Living God.
The rest, as they say, is history. God blessed Bob with a beautiful wife and five children. God has stood by Bob in his trials and successes. God has used him as a righteous testimony and encouragement to many. In fact, five out of his six brothers have followed his path in the Lord’s service. God has also given him a gift of unstinting loyalty and support to the church. God has prompted him to nurture, share and spread His Love to the unsaved. Bob has a special tender spot for the unsaved among his family and friends, as he continuously and tirelessly prays for them.
Well done good and faithful servant! Happy 95th birthday, Papa, aka Robert Lang!
They escaped unscathed except for a few scratches and gut-wrenching terror inside. Scared, they had to pose to recover before returning to their simple, overcrowded and not always plentiful home. Life surely had its challenges and growing up in post WWI was certainly not easy. It was especially true for the older prankster, Bob. Although always busy and engaged, his parents struggled to provide for him and six other brothers. Being the eldest, Bob left school to lend a hand.
Even for a mature adult this burden was not light as the lures of petty crime; alcohol and reckless living started taking strong root. It was becoming ever more difficult to overcome life’s tribulations such as these, but Bob’s mother, Bertha, a devoted Christian never stopped praying for her son.
One day her prayers were answered when Bob accepted a friend’s invitation to attend a gospel service in 1934. During the service, Bob was overwhelmed by a sweet old hymn, beautifully sung at the end of the service. His heart melted with repentance and sorrow. As he got back home, he wanted to be alone, so he shut his room’s door and sat down. Now alone with Jesus, Bob broke down crying, confessing and pleading for the Saviour’s salvation! He was a new man; he was a child of the Living God.
The rest, as they say, is history. God blessed Bob with a beautiful wife and five children. God has stood by Bob in his trials and successes. God has used him as a righteous testimony and encouragement to many. In fact, five out of his six brothers have followed his path in the Lord’s service. God has also given him a gift of unstinting loyalty and support to the church. God has prompted him to nurture, share and spread His Love to the unsaved. Bob has a special tender spot for the unsaved among his family and friends, as he continuously and tirelessly prays for them.
Well done good and faithful servant! Happy 95th birthday, Papa, aka Robert Lang!
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