The day began on a somber note. We saw an accident as we rode through the city. A man lay dead on the side of the road. After reaching the site for the meetings, there came a downpour. We had to wait for the rain to stop. Therefore, we went to the post office in an attempt to call back to the United States. News from the states was even more sobering. Karen Todd, a dear friend of ours, had died.

After receiving the news about Karen, I walked out on the porch of the post office and watched the torrential rainstorm. It seemed to typify my experience. I'd watched the wives of three of my best friends die in the previous year. Sherry Akins, missionary Wade Akins wife, died one year earlier. While I was on a trip to Cuba the previous November, Natasha Daniella died. Her husband Vladimir was a close friend from Moldova, He had traveled and interpreted for me in the former Soviet Union. And now Karen had gone into the presence of the Lord.

As I watched the rainstorm, I wondered when it would end. By this time, it was already one hour past the stated starting of our evangelistic meetings. After another hour the weather began to clear. I thought we had missed an opportunity to preach the gospel.

But the Ugandans taught me a great lesson that day. After the storm had completely passed, they slowly made their way to the preaching field. I preached and many came to Christ. The Ugandans knew the storm wouldn't last. It was only temporary. The gospel went forward.

Similarly, my friends continued to go through great storms. But I learned this one lesson in Africa. The storms will pass. The sun will shine once again. And the Kingdom of God will continue to be built. Storms of life are only temporary. The Kingdom of God is eternal. That gives me great hope and peace.