There was an act of terror on an island in the Pacific. A missionary, Joe, was involved in a rescue of a small girl and her mom ...barely being able to get out with the small prop plane.
Joe did a little bit of island hopping, and was able to get some assistance from other missionaries. His plane had incurred some damage, and he had to wait for quite some time for critical repair parts. Meanwhile, the little girl and her mom had to continue to endure near poverty conditions, but at least were out of harm's way of terrorist activity.
Joe had never experienced seeing such violence before ...he had only read about it. It so upset him, he could not sleep at night ...and he could not imagine how the little girl and her mom could either.
Joe resolved to have this little Jebunissa and her mom, Jess, brought back to the United States ...and to give them the best of what his country had to offer. He was certain that once his church heard the story, they would all jump at the chance to help out. This little girl had lived among the worst this world had to offer ...but, now they would have the best.
When Joe got back to the United States, his church arranged for Jebunissa and her mom to have a very nice home, in a very nice neighborhood ...and they would have nice things too. They would eat the best, dress the best, and live just like the very best.
Joe was happy ...he never knew when he'd been happier. He was so happy for the opportunity he'd been able to provide for Jebunissa and her mom ...who both deserved the best.
Joe returned to the mission field. He felt like in all of the 25 years he'd spent in the mission field, this had been the happiest accomplishment of all.
Joe continued to write a friend to ask about them ...as Jebunissa and her mom, neither one could speak English or write. Joe's friend wrote that things had changed, that Jess and her little girl had moved into another house ...yet he always wrote that they were okay.
Joe wrote and asked for details, not understanding why they would have moved ...his arrangements had seemed so perfect for the both of them. But, his friend never seemed to answer the question ...he just wrote that the girl and her mom both missed Joe too, and that things were going fine.
Joe was quite busy, but after three years, managed to plan a trip back to the United States. He was shocked when he found Jess and Jebunissa were living in very poor conditions. Joe's friend explained that another woman was living there also, who knew the island language, but also knew English ...so she'd be able to translate any questions and answers either of them would have.
Jebunissa spotted Joe first ....and she ran, leaping into his arms, tears in her eyes. Jess then ran to Joe too ...and also was crying. Joe could not compose himself, he was crying so much. He could not believe what had happened to them ...they probably felt he was responsible for them losing the nice home. Joe didn't know who was responsible, but he was committed to find out.
The translator offered the first bit of clarity. Onithe said that Jebunissa and her mom did not understand why Joe had left them ...they thought Joe loved them. Neither of them had wanted to stay in the United States ...they'd wanted to travel the islands with Joe, helping other people.
When Joe had left ...they had not looked forward to being showered with nice things. Sure, the people were nice, the neighborhood was nice, and the church was nice. But the only one who had ever shown them true love had gone away in his plane ...and if they couldn't be with Joe, they wanted to be like Joe.
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Many years passed, and they stuck together this time. They traveled the world with Joe ...in his plane, to island to island and mainland to mainland. They met many people, and many tried to call upon Jebunissa ...as she grew to be a very mature and attractive woman. But, not one of the men understood why Jebunissa wanted to live in such poverty, when she could have much greater things ...so much opportunity.
Even Joe was a bit concerned, "You know, Jebunissa, it's not wrong to want things for yourself. You've already given more than others give in a lifetime ...yet, you are still so young, and could have a life for yourself."
He is surprised at her answer. Jebunissa simply says, "I want to be happy."
Joe says, "But there are so many ways to be happy! You can get married, and raise your own children ..."
Jebunissa gets a tear in her eye, "Papa, you are Joe to everybody. I am mostly an attractive woman ...but you taught me the Bible says the flower fadeth. They don't know Jebunissa ...they like the bouquet of flowers. I came from a place where flowers were trodden down, and couldn't grow ...that's who I am. No flowers, but the Word of God came ...and you sprouted a smile on my face because you had God's love. That's the kind of happy I want to always be ...no fadeth. Smiles where everyone else wonders why ...the best smiles. Do you understand, Papa? I don't want happy sometimes. I don't want happy maybe. I want happy for sure. I want to be like you ...and sprout smiles where few would ever think it possible."
Joe, "Yes, I understand my sweet daughter. Papa loves you ...and never stop telling everyone that Jesus does too."
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