Faith can Stop the Rain

 

When I was very young, the age of 6 or 7, I lived on the small Japanese island of Okinawa.  We went to an English speaking branch consisting of mainly military personnel.  What I am about to relate to you was etched upon my young mind so that even today, I can remember these events.  Our branch activities chairman was an old Polynesian man by the name of George Lowe.  He and his activities committee were planning a branch luau – pig in a pit and all.  In preparation for the event, Brother Lowe gave out a list of assignments.  The Relief Society had side dishes, salads and desserts.  Priesthood had logistics and cleanup.  Primary had kids’ games.  He was to be in charge of cooking the pig and the Priesthood was going to help him dig the pit and build the fire.  He specifically put the Lord in charge of the weather. 

As the day of the activity drew close, all of the assignments were coming together nicely.  On Friday afternoon, he picked up the pig and some rocks and other supplies and drove out to White Beach known for its fine white sand.  He found a nice spot where he could dig a pit for the pig and started digging a hole.  Not long after he started, the park ranger came by and asked him what he was up to.  He told the ranger he was preparing a fire pit to cook the pig.  The ranger then told him that there was a fire restriction in place because it had been a very dry year and that he would not be allowed to build a fire.  He asked the ranger to wait there for a few minutes while he went and did something.  There were several large rocks along the beach.  Brother Lowe walked a little way and went behind a rock, knelt down and offered a prayer that went something like this:

“Dear Heavenly Father, the park ranger told me we couldn’t build a fire for our luau because it has been too dry.  All of the branch organizations have been busy filling their assignments.  You were put in charge of the weather.  Please fulfill your assignment.  In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.”

He then got up and walked back to the ranger.  As he approached, the ranger looked around.  It had clouded up and started misting.  The ranger said, “It looks like it’s going to rain soon anyway, so go ahead and build your fire.”

The next day, Saturday, it was pouring down rain.  My father was working that morning and was going to meet us at the branch activity.  My mother had made cupcakes that morning to bring.  As she was getting ready to load up the car, she called my father at work and asked him if maybe we should not go because of the heavy rain we were getting.  He said that we should go and support the branch activity.  She loaded up the car with our cupcakes.  My two younger brothers and I were helped into our swimsuits, and into the car we went.  I remember it raining so hard that the windshield wipers could not keep the windshield clear.  It was as if someone was aiming a hose at the window.  I am sure my mother thought she was on a fool’s errand.

White Beach is on a little peninsula that juts out away from the island into the ocean.  We got to the park entrance and there was literally a wall of water.  On the outside of the gate to the park, it was pouring down rain.  Inside the gate, no rain.  We went to where the activity was set up and found that it was nice, sunny, and warm.  We had a wonderful time.  There weren’t very many people from the branch that showed up, but those of us that did had fun.

The next day at church, those who didn’t go to the activity were asking us how we got sunburned.  I will never forget the faith that Brother Lowe had which has stayed with and influenced me for good all these years.  He had faith great enough to change the weather.