Melinda's Vespa Ride

​Melinda’s Vespa Ride
 
When we were missionaries in Brazil, my husband Milford had preaching meetings every weekend. Sometimes they were out of town or in or near Londrina where we lived.
 
Arno Deggau was the pastor of one of our local churches. He was of German descent. He and his wife Nilda had two small children. They were a lovely Brazilian couple who were dedicated to the cause of Christ.
 
One Sunday morning Milford was invited to preach in Pastor Arno’s church. I taught a Sunday School class in the chapel church on the seminary campus. Our daughter Melinda was about two years old and wanted to go with her dad. Milford preached the sermon and when the service was over he returned home….without Melinda. The chapel church had just let out when he rolled into the mission carport. Several of us were outside talking when he arrived.
 
“Where’s Melinda?” I asked. His face turned white, and he gave us a shocked look, got back in the car, and drove off.
 
To our surprise, a few minutes later Pastor Arno rode into the carport on his Vespa….with Melinda sitting in front of him. She had fallen asleep on the front pew. Now how often does a two-year-old get to ride on a Vespa?
 
To paraphrase the Prophet Isaiah who asks, can one forget their child? “yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands, thy walls are continually before me.”
 
How many times has Jesus come rolling in with you?

​©Marilyn Francis Ferguson 2023
Graphics by Michele Ferguson Schuck