I don’t know what the morning of December 20, 1989 was like in Anchorage. It was winter solstice, so it was the darkest day of the year. I’m sure there was snow on the ground, and it was also cold. But all of that day-to-day stuff was punctuated by the news of Operation Just Cause – at least in the Van Cleef house. The day-to-day stuff happenings were also punctuated in the Ferraro home of Bethesda, Maryland; the Ball house in Royal Oak, Michigan; and thousands of other homes around the country where parents, spouses, brothers, sisters, children, extended family and friends wondered if their loved one was in harm’s way.

We were unable to place calls from the combat zone, so our families had the comfort of a Pentagon hotline that provided injury and fatality reports to callers. For five days, my Mom and Dad endured the darkness of not knowing where I was or what I was doing, or if I still was. For five days, my Dad called the Pentagon happy to discover my name was not on a list. For five days – until Christmas.

An unnamed and unknown American woman, who lived in Panama and worked for the Canal Commission, came to our platoon’s command post, secured a name and phone number for each person, and made a call – THE Christmas Call. “Mr. Van Cleef. I spoke to your son today. He’s alive and well, and wishes you a Merry Christmas.” 30 times she made the call, and 30 times she provided the gift of joy to families who had persevered through long days of waiting.

While in prison, Joseph had occasion to interpret the dream of Pharaoh’s Cupbearer – a dream that promised the restoration of this man to Pharaoh’s service and favor. For interpreting the dream Joseph simply asked to be remembered by the Cupbearer before Pharaoh. (Check out this story in Genesis 40.)

Within three days the Cupbearer was quickly restored to Pharaoh’s side. And on day four, Joseph waited, and on day five Joseph waited. And on day six, and seven… For two years he waited to be remembered. For two more years he endured prison life. For two years he persevered.

Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. – Philippians 4:6-7

In all that waiting, and despite what it seemed, something was happening. He didn’t worry, become bitter, or plot revenge. He waited, and watched, and prayed. Joseph was in process, being refined like gold in a smelter – and being prepared for what would happen next.

The kind of prosperity Joseph enjoyed, and the kind of prosperity we’re learning about, is born from perseverance – continuing beyond what you should do, to the things you can do.

Grace,

John Van Cleef, Captain
Administrator/Corps Officer