Twenty-one-year-old James Gribble, a streetcar conductor, scanned the avenue ahead, but his mind swirled with visions of the future. Life was treating him well in Philadelphia with its many amenities in 1904, compared to his hometown of Mechanicsburg, PA. What opportunities might lie ahead?
Then it happened. A woman stepped off the still-moving trolley, caught her skirt under a wheel, and was pulled under. She died at the scene.
James agonized over the terrible accident. “Oh God, deliver me, and I’ll serve you!” he wrote in his journal.
That Sunday James attended church and accepted Jesus into his life. That evening he was baptized.
On Monday while reading his Bible, James came to Matthew 28:19a:
He told his pastor, “I think God wants me to become a missionary.”
For several years James received mentoring and instruction, then joined the African Inland Mission. To his delight, the team included a pretty young doctor, Florence Newberry. In 1908 they established a mission station in West Central Africa and started ministering to the nearby tribes.
The station was located in what is now the Central African Republic, south of Chad.
James wanted to become better-acquainted with Florence, but patients kept her busy from morning till night. Suddenly genius struck. James could pretend he was sick!
During the appointment he suggested courtship. Florence preferred they remain friends, still devastated over a previous beau uninterested in foreign mission work.
Twice more over the next four years James would approach her about courtship; twice more she declined.
James and another missionary traveled inland to establish a new station.
West African tribesmen, 1912
Soon his partner became ill and had to return to base camp, then James succumbed to black water fever. He expected to die.
Afterward James wrote about the vision God gave him on his sickbed—a panoramic view of the tribes of West Central Africa. God said, “Thou shalt be instrumental in carrying the gospel to these.” James knew then he’d survive.
During a prayer vigil in 1912, Florence’s thoughts turned to James. Her heart had warmed toward the trustworthy and kind missionary, so passionate about sharing Christ with the African people. Florence sensed the Spirit whispering to her, “Why not?”
The two were married within a few months.
Sometime later Florence developed appendicitis and required hospitalization. For thirty days they traveled the three hundred miles to the nearest hospital.
As she slowly recovered, the doctor told James, “You must take her back to America. She cannot live in the tropics.”
Florence did return home and six months later James followed. They lived in Chicago for several years while Florence regained strength. Their only child Marguerite was born there in 1915.
Daily James would pray over a map of Africa. He found his attention drawn to a town named Bozoum, in Ubangi-Shari (now the Central African Republic). He wondered why.
Bozoum is located in the northwestern province of Ouham-Pende.
The couple shared their hope with area churches: to establish base camps across central Africa as a barrier against encroaching Islam. When they returned in 1918, two nurses and another family joined them.
The group desired to enter a French-controlled area, but it took eighteen months to receive permission. They named their base, Camp-Wait-Some-More.
Finally able to move on, they arrived in Carnot. While waiting there another eighteen months, they spent their time learning the language and praying.
A new official arrived, and James made an appointment with him.
He asked James, “Where do you intend to set up camp, now that you’ve received permission?”
Permission?! James was stunned. “Where would you recommend?”
Then came Surprise #2. “I think Bozoum would be a good place.”
Now James knew why God had inspired him to pray particularly for this town.
In 1921, Florence and James became ill again. She had to return to the States, taking their daughter with her. Eighteen months later Florence traveled back to Africa, but without Marguerite. Though an anguishing decision, the couple determined she should remain in America to attend school.
In 1923 a young recruit was due to arrive, but he died within miles of reaching their mission station, causing more heartache.
James wrote:
Not long after, James succumbed to black water fever again; this time the forty-year-old did not survive.
He’d previously written to Florence, “I shall be content with the lowest seat in heaven if only there I may sit and see the redeemed of the Lord come in from those fields where I have a been a pioneer missionary.”
Except James had not witnessed one person becoming a Christ-follower during his years in Africa.
Some might say those years of pain and hardship had accomplished nothing. And what about God’s promise: ““Thou shalt be instrumental in carrying the gospel to these?”
James had been instrumental, by bringing others to join in their work. Even his own daughter returned to Africa, ministering with her husband for thirty-one years.
James had served as a foundation builder—constructing base camps, encouraging others, and giving himself to prayer. He followed in the footsteps of the Apostle Paul:
Today, 70% of the population of the Central African Republic are Christians.
In my mind’s eye I see James in heaven, greeting saint after saint from West Central Africa, just as he imagined. But instead of sitting, I think James is standing and celebrating with all his heart.
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What a humbling testimony. When I think how fixated we can be on “results” (numbers), I know I should learn a lesson from this beautiful, devoted couple. Some seeds take a long time to grow.
Thanks for sharing this, Nancy.
Agreed, Annie! I too was greatly inspired by their fortitude in the face of so many challenges. We can easily forget the definition for “success” in God’s kingdom is a far cry from that of the secular world.
Even though those that James introduced to the Gospel didn’t readily accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, he was never discouraged or disheartened to do what God called him to do. That is faith with a joyful heart. I loved reading his story, Nancy. Thank you. 🙂
I’m so glad you enjoyed this story, Nancy. You’ve touched on the context of 1 Corinthians 3:10, quoted in the post–the previous verses about GOD being the one that makes anything grow, including faith. “The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor” (v. 8). Who knows how many seeds of faith James planted, and someone else was able to reap the fruit? Only God!
Thank you for sharing this scripture, Nancy. It reminds me that I need to do more watering! God bless you. 🙂
Great story Nancy. Planting seeds is just as important as reaping the harvest. I imagine the God was pleased with this good and faithful man and his work in Africa.
Amen, Cathy. James Gribble was indeed a good and faithful servant of Christ, in spite of trial after trial. Such an example of perseverance!
Even when we think we are only one and can’t make a difference, God tells us we can do all things through Him if we will follow His lead and in His footsteps as we are called. James is a hero of the Christian mission, bringing those to Christ that he could never have imagine. I do love learning, through you, Nancy, that God uses all of us, the least of these, to make a difference for Him in this world, all for His glory. Blessings!
I dare say there are more lesser-known heroes of faith like James Gribble than there are famous ones like Billy Graham. God uses all kinds of folks in countless ways to accomplish his over-arching plan, as you’ve pointed out. Won’t it be thrilling when we get to heaven and see how he artfully fulfilled that plan, down through the ages and across our globe as each believer’s life touched others!
Amazing how God fits the pieces together
Isn’t it though? I’ve heard God’s work described as a tapestry, as he weaves lives and events together to accomplish his plans. A quilt metaphor works too–pieces (lives and events) stitched together that will one day be revealed as a dazzling whole!
this is why I like leggos. Each piece is a building block, essential and important. Unseen or seen is unimportant. When we place our trust in Christ and led him lead…be our shepherd, he uses us as he sees fit. Only in eternity might we see that structure and see the rewards. A great piece Nancy
Yes, I can see how Legos offer another metaphor for God’s engineering of lives and events, always accomplishing his purpose. Thank you for sharing! So glad you enjoyed this post, Gary.
James was a man of great faith and faithfulness as he pursued his calling from the Lord. He may not have seen a harvest during his time on earth, but he tilled fields faithfully, not looking for medals and honors but scars–what a wonderful attitude! Thanks for sharing a life so faithfully lived. It is humbling to read of these godly men and women you share, lives lived with purpose even without the accolades and visible fruit. God is the faithful one! This is such a great story on our calling. God wastes nothing!
I found James’ story highly encouraging also, Dayle. Even after we’ve gone home to heaven, our story is not complete. The lives we sought to touch live on to touch others, who in turn touch still others, etc. You’ve reminded me of that verse in Isaiah: “My word, which comes from my mouth, is like the rain and snow. It will not come back to me without results. It will accomplish whatever I want and achieve whatever I send it to do” (55:11 GWT). May we press on each day to spread the seeds of his Word!
what an inspirational story and demonstrate the value of being open to the call and voice of God.!
So glad you found inspiration here, Jean. I have too as I learned about James Gribble. Indeed, may we be open to the call and voice of God!
What a story! Waiting requires faith and is one of the hardest things God asks us to do. There must have been times when he wondered if he heard God correctly.
Indeed, those wait times must have felt like waste-times! And being human, he surely wondered from time to time why his life and Florence’s were characterized by two steps forward, one step back. Little did he know the importance and impact of the foundation he was building!
What a good lesson for us.
Nancy, this is an inspiring story of faithfulness regardless of seeing results! Thank you for sharing about this couple that I had never read about. I have always thought of missionaries as the unsung heroes of the faith! We went on a short term mission trip to Togo in West Africa several years ago. I was overwhelmed by their poverty and their need for the gospel. There are places all over the globe where people have never heard the name Jesus!
Time spent in a third world country quickly opens our eyes to the depravity of man without Christ. These countries are characterized by rampant selfishness, greed, cheating, stealing, oppression, and more. And yet, those who have become Jesus-followers in such places often glow with inexplicable joy, in spite of what they face. Praise God for his transforming power! Praise God for those who serve the poor and the oppressed!
This is a beautiful illustration of how one can be called to minister and not necessarily see results in their lifetime. James was faithful in obeying God, sharing the Gospel wherever He was sent. We are so impatiently result-oriented and forget that His ways are different from ours. Sometimes it seems that ministering, serving, and praying for the salvation of others is like a quilt. We see the back of it with stitches run over and under and ending in knots. Turning over to the right side of the quilt we will someday see how God made it all come together in His own time and way. This is what I pray for when I think of my nephew and his family: That God may be using someone else in His life to bring them to Christ. But I continue to pray without ceasing and refuse to give up. I may not see it happen; that doesn’t mean it won’t. Another great post, Nancy.
We pray similarly for our loved ones not in relationship with Jesus. With you, Cheri, we will not give up! I remember my grandmother praying for one of my cousins in full-blown teen rebellion. After she passed away, he reread her letters, even looked up the scriptures she always included with her closing. He reestablished his relationship with Christ and even became a pastor! I keep reminding myself of that episode–an example of God’s ability to bring about what seemed impossible.
James is the perfect example of the phrase, “Just keep on keeping on.” What an example to me! I love these biographies that you share with us, Nancy. Keep on keeping on with these, please. 🙂
Thank you for your encouragement, Patty. I WILL keep on providing mini-biographies; they minister to me as I research and write! I hope to put a number of them together in a book, with scriptures and questions to guide introspection and application. We’ll see where God takes this project.
A book would be wonderful, Nancy. Let me know how you’re progressing with that.
Thank you for your interest Patty!
“For the greater good” comes to mind here, Nancy. It strikes me as a foundation of faith to put our time and effort toward the work God seeks in us, without regard for the timeline of its completion. Stories like this one are wonderful examples of the impact of a single human life.
Your point is also illustrated in scripture, Dave. Abraham never saw the great nation God promised would emanate from him. Ruth never knew her great-grandson would be king over Israel and she was part of the lineage of the Messiah. Many of the prophets never lived to see all their prophecies come true. We do well to “put our time and effort toward the work God seeks in us” (as you said), and leave the results to God.
Your point is also illustrated in scripture, Dave. Abraham never saw the great nation God promised would emanate from him. Ruth never knew her great-grandson would be king over Israel and she was part of the lineage of the Messiah. Many of the prophets never lived to see all their prophecies come true. We do well to “put our time and effort toward the work God seeks in us” (as you said), and leave the results to God. I need that reminder from time to time!
Hope, Nancy. God sees what we don’t.
Gary Avants Forbear Productions * *garyavants66@gmail.com garyavants66@gmail.com
Amen, Gary. We do well to remind ourselves that we’re never without hope! Good news indeed.
The commitment of these historic saints is always a challenge to me! Thanks for telling the story so well.
TT
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Thank you, Michele. I too am always challenged by those who’ve submitted themselves to hardship and heartache in order to share Christ in difficult places. How dare I complain of inconvenience or challenge from my comfortable home in the wealthiest and most advanced country on the planet?!
Wow. Wouldn’t James and Florence be astonished and delighted to see how AIM has grown as a mission over the decades and all the men and women who have come to know Christ through their work.
I’m reminded of Abraham and his untold number of descendants.
Thank You, Lord!
I was reminded of the same, Linda! In fact, the comparison almost made it into the post, but length precluded it. Yes, James and Florence must be astonished (if that’s even an emotion we experience in heaven) to see Christian after Christian enter heaven from the Central African Republic!
Such a beautiful post, a testament to perseverance and faith in God. We can trust God’s timing in all things!
Indeed we can, Linda. I need the reminders now and then to persevere and leave the results with God; trust him and he WILL fulfill those plans that line up with his will. Wonderful reassurances when doubts try to sidetrack us!
I really like the way your wrapped this up, Nancy.
Thank you Mitch for your encouragement and helpful suggestions!
What a wonderful testimony to rugged faith that perseveres, Nancy, in spite of not seeing the results of its labor! Yet James Gribble did see, only he saw with the eyes of faith. Thank you for sharing his inspirational story, Nancy.
Thank you for adding that insight, Dora. God did give James eyes of faith to see that vision of what was to come! I’m thinking he must have thought often of that night and the reassurance God gave him. His mission WOULD be fulfilled one way or another!
Nancy, I found myself drawn to this story. I have came back to it several times. The determination and faith in this story should inspire all of us to pray more, listen to God’s voice and remain steadfast. I don’t know where you find these inspiring stories, thank you for sharing them with us.
Anita
I keep a list of “People of Interest” I come across in my reading, Anita. When I research them, sometimes I uncover inspiring stories worthy of turning into blog posts–such as James Gribbles’. I’m hopeful of turning some of them into a book someday soon!