Help those in trouble!

 

   

There are a lot of young people roaming the streets these days,
who don't know how to be afraid of danger.

An event to remember

  In 1980, I was with a believing young married couple in their home the center of Helsinki, and after drinking tea we started to pray, because it was already late in the evening. Surprisingly, the short prayer session stretched to almost 2 hours and we all wondered about it, because they and I also had to get up early in the morning and go to work(?)

  I finally felt in my heart that I have to leave for home at a certain moment and I said goodbye to them and started walking when the clock was already around half 11 pm. A cold breeze was blowing outside, because it was already late autumn and it is often windy in Helsinki, because it is located right by the sea. The temperature may drop close to zero degrees Celsius at night, even if it is +15 degrees at noon. The wind makes it feel even colder. That's why I felt chills.

  I walked along Annankatu (road) to Iso Roobertinkatu (road), along which I lived. While I was on Annankatu, I heard an inner voice say, "Stop!" I stopped and waited for more instructions. When I looked around, I saw a young, pretty and gracefully built girl with fair long hair walking towards me from the other side of the street. I heard again the same voice saying, "Go to that girl and ask her if she's in trouble."

  I went to her and asked her that. She was very shy and answered after thinking for a moment that had already wandered around Helsinki for several hours looking for Liisankatu (Road), in which her mother lives. She said she came from Mänttä (a small village between Tampere and Jyväskylä) and that it was her first time in Helsinki. It was already almost midnight and there were very few people on the streets. I told to that 14-year-old girl, who was dressed in very summer clothes, that Liisankatu is not on this side of the city center, but on the north side about 1.5 km away. I asked if I could walk with her there(?)

  She agreed and we set off on foot. The girl said her name, Sinikka and I told her I am Leif. When we arrived at Liisankatu, we couldn't find the address Liisankatu 26 on her notepad! I said to Sinikka: "It is already early morning and I can see that you are also shivering from the cold. That is why I suggest that you come and sleep the night in my flat. I will make you a guest bed on the floor of the living room. I don't want to leave you on the street for the night, lest you freeze and someone might do violence to you." I saw the fear on her face. That's why I also told her that I treat her like my young sister, because I am a true Christian. Then she agreed to my proposal.

  After we arrived at my apartment, I offered her evening tea with a couple of sandwiches, made a guest bed on the floor and we went to sleep. In the morning the alarm clock woke us up and I offered her breakfast. She said her mother works at Viking Line's port terminal. That's why I took out the map of the Helsinki and drew the route there with a red pen, I gave the map to her so she could find her way there. I told her to get some more sleep if she felt tired from yesterday's hours of wandering. She thanked and said, Can I ask you something? I said, Yes dear sure ask. 

She asked, "I don't understand how someone can live and enjoy themselves in such a miserable apartment?" I started laughing and said that as a Christian I am used to living very modestly sometimes, because our life on earth is only temporary. This is just a temporary apartment. My apartment was about 20 m2, so-called the 'servant's room' with its own entrance and through the only window of which I could see only the black roof of the old dilapidated cement house on the other side of the courtyard.

  It should be mentioned that had moved just from Gothenburg to Helsinki and about 6 months later, I got a nice and affordable employment apartment through my employer in Espoo from Kuitinmäki in Espoo. I lived then on the top, 8th floor of an apartment building, which had a wonderful view over the forests to the west. It was a short drive in my car from there to work. The apartment was modern and new one.

  Before leaving the apartment (that morning), I asked Sinikka to close the door so that it locks properly. The old door of my that apartment did not lock unless I pushed it separately. She promised to do so. I left my apartment and at the same time said her, I hope for the Lord's guidance you to find your mother. Sinikka remained waiting for the day to dawn. I also wrote my name and postal address on the map so that she could later tell how she found her mother. About 2 months later, I got a Chritmas card from Sinikka that only read: 
"I found my mother. Hi, Sinikka" It was a short and sweet message without unnecessary words.

What does that event teach us?
 
  The chain of events started when I was praying at my friends' home with them and the Holy Spirit prepared me for that event about 2 hours in advance, so that the girl wouldn't stayed out on the street for the night to freeze, and would not possibly be subjected to violence. Let's pray together and watch if necessary, even if we are almost asleep, because someone may be in need of great help just that very moment!

  We also learn that our Savior Yeshua HaMashiach had watched from his throne in heaven and had seen the girl's wandering astray and decided to intervene in the situation. Let's learn that if the Holy Spirit prompts us to stop, we should stop and listen to what he has for us. A few times I have received a clear order from above: "Leif, stop!" If I hadn't obeyed right away, I might have died a long time ago.

  I have always been very careful by nature and avoid unnecessary dangerous situations. Still, as new spiritual creations, we must remember that the Devil is constantly trying to do us harm, because we are on different sides in this spiritual and continual war and he considers us his enemies. And that kind are we, if we keep the Salvation message on display!

  I also wondered that the girl's mother had apparently given the wrong address to her daughter! It is worth learning from that, Parents must be more precise and give correct information to their children.

Finally, a song that fits the topic:

Take My Hand (and Lead Me Home), Precious Lord - Jim Reeves  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNrVed6dP6s