Maeburl Tincher
From a young age, two things have always fascinated me: the scriptures and travel.
I don’t consider myself a missionary in the formal sense of the word, but more than once I have found my way to the Holy Land. On my last trip to Jerusalem, I stayed for six weeks at the Ruth Heflin House of Prayer. My intention was to remain there as long as I could – without jeopardizing my American citizenship.
The sole purpose of the mission house was devotion to prayer. At any given time, there were 12 or 13 women living there from different countries. Together, we maintained a 24-hour cycle of intercession: praying continually for the peace of Jerusalem and for conditions around the world.
In the year 2000, violence in the Middle East was escalating. Bus bombings and street fighting were taking place – particularly in Israel. Needless to say, my family was not thrilled that I had chosen to be part of this ministry during such a dangerous time in history.
As a single woman who has traveled alone for most of my adult life, I can say with certainty that depending on the Holy Spirit for guidance is not only helpful: it is critical. Sometimes that guidance comes as a warning in a dream.
The Bible contains many examples of God using dreams to prevent disaster and provide direction: Pharaoh was warned of famine, Joseph was told to flee to Egypt and the Magi were instructed not to return to Herod.
That was certainly true for me when the time came to leave Jerusalem and return to the United States.
One night, I dreamed the house was being robbed and I was held at gunpoint. The robber looked at me and said, “You’re a nice lady, and I hate to do this to you.” Then he fell asleep – and I escaped.
Not long after that, I made the decision to leave. I returned home with nothing more than a small tote bag and the clothes on my back.
About a month later, I attended a winter camp meeting in Ashland, Va., where I saw several of the women who had been staying at the house in Jerusalem. Some of them were even wearing clothing I had left behind. They approached me and said, “You better be glad you left when you did. We got robbed.”
I was stunned and overwhelmed with gratitude for the divine intervention had protected us all.
In the book of Joel, God promises that He will pour out His Spirit on all people: sons and daughters will prophesy, young men will see visions, and old men will dream dreams.
And apparently, His “old women” will dream dreams too.
Maeburl Tincher writes a monthly column for The Graham Star. She is a native of the Jutts Creek community.