Introduction
Episode 1
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Episode 3
Episode 4
Episode 5
Episode 6
Episode 7
Episode 8

Precious Memories

In September of 1962, the Lord gave us our fifth child, a little child whom we named Melody Sue. We were in Battle Creek, Michigan at this time, where George was having a revival at a little church there.

We were living in a rented apartment. Our little family was very poor in this world's goods, but we had riches that exceeded anything that money could buy. We had joy, peace and happiness, which we realized were true riches.

When baby Sue was twelve days old, I walked into the living room and found tears flowing down George's face. I knew the Lord was talking to him, so I quietly slipped back out, so as not to disturb him or interfere with the precious anointing of God. I knew our lives and souls depended on the guidance of God's Spirit.

A few minutes later, he came out and asked me if I felt like going to Detroit, Michigan, since I had just had surgery. I told him that if God wanted us in Detroit, He would surely take care of me.

So, we loaded our few belongings in an old Ford we had at this time. The window was out of the car on my side, and I remember how George had to cut a piece of cardboard to go in its place, to keep the cold wind off of me and the children, because it was October and was cold in Michigan at this time.

Just before we went to Battle Creek, we had a beautiful little Rambler station wagon that we were so thankful for. It was the prettiest car we had ever owned; but, on our way to Michigan, while traveling through the mountains, we were not aware that a water hose had broken, and by the time we realized what had happened, the car had gotten so hot that it ruined the motor. There we were on the side of the road, stranded. The car would not start!

After a little while, George came out of the woods and told us to get back in the car. It started up again, and we drove down the road, stopping by a place where a man had cars for sale. George explained what had happened, and that man said that he had been looking for a Rambler station wagon, for he had motor to put in it. He offered us a rugged looking Ford, which had a good motor in it, for our car. We traded even with him because we didn't have any money, and we started back down the highway again, thanking the Lord that the preparation of a man's heart is from God.

God had made a way again, as always, and we were on our way to do His will. This is the car we had when we left Battle Creek and started on our way to Detroit.

We didn't know why we were going, all we knew was that the Lord had said, "Go!" and we were on our way.

When we got to Detroit, it wasn't easy to find a place to rent with five children, and we were worn out by the time we finally found an upstairs apartment. As soon as George got us settle in this apartment, he went into a room and asked us not to call or disturb him. He was seeking God's will concerning what our mission was in Detroit.

I don't remember just how long he stayed in this room, but the day he came out, he told us to get ready, for we were going to church. I asked him where, but he said, "The Lord will show me."

So, we got in the car and started riding, when soon we came to a big theater building which had been turned into a place of worship. He felt to stop, so we quietly slipped in and sat down on the back row. The services had already started, and everyone was a stranger to us. The pastor, who was up front leading the services, all of a sudden stopped what he was doing and said, "I don't know these people sitting on the back row. I have never seen them before, but I do know the Holy Ghost, and He just spoke to me and said, 'God sent this man for a revival'."

There was no question in our mind, for we knew it was God, so George began a revival there, and I can't find words to describe how God blessed this meeting. The pastor's wife received a miraculous healing the first night, and the whole area was stirred.

Right in the midst of this great revival, God spoke to George and told him to go to Canada. The pastor stood and begged him to stay longer, but when he found his pleading was to no avail, he then told us that the people had secretly gotten together and were making plans to buy us a brand new car. He thought this would surely change George's mind, because we had never dreamed of owning a new car, but, even though Satan was talking to my mind, trying to convince me that a few days probably wouldn't make any difference, I am glad George's heart wasn't toward worldly gain, and he refused to turn to the right or to the left when God spoke. So, we left for Canada in our old Ford with the window out.

The pastor tried to get George to promise him that when he returned from Canada, he would come back by so they could still buy us a new car. George told him he would pray about it, but the Lord led us in a different direction when we left Canada, and we never saw those precious people again. Maybe someday we will meet them again and be able to thank them for their love and concern.

Somehow I failed to get their name and address so I could stay in contact. I guess the Lord suffered this for His purpose. I can look back now and see how God was to use this old Ford in His divine will. If we had received a new car at this time, it would have interfered with His future plans. God works in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform.

We left Detroit in the rugged old Ford, and were on our way to Canada. When we reached the Canadian border, the man on duty asked us where we were going. George told him the name of the place the Lord had told him to go. The man said that he had been working there for years but had never heard of a place in Canada by that name. He got a map out and looked at it. He came back to our car laughing and said, "You are right! There is a place by that name, but don't bat your eyes when you go through or you'll miss it!"

Sure enough, when we got there, the town consisted of one building, with the post office, hardware, grocery and all in it. We found the little church we were sent to, and the pastor gave us a hearty welcome, but informed us that there was no money there. George told him that he wasn't interested in how much money he would receive. He explained that God had sent us, and that He would supply our needs. The pastor said that their custom was to place a little box at the entrance of the little church, and if anyone wanted to give an offering, they would drop it in this little box. They didn't take offerings during the church services. We told him not to change a thing for us, that our faith was in God's Word and He would provide for us.

The first night of the revival, after church, the pastor opened the offering box and found a fifty dollar bill in it, to his amazement. This was over twenty years ago, when fifty dollars was a lot of money. He said that this had never happened before. God had proven Himself again.

While we were in this meeting in Canada, one night, I had already dressed baby Sue for church, and was about to wrap a big blanket around her, when I noticed that she wasn't breathing. I grabbed her up and almost threw her into the arms of the lady where we were staying, but when I saw the expression on her face, I knew she couldn't do anything. So, I grabbed her back and ran all the way to the little church where George was. As he saw me coming, he met me half way down the aisle, knowing something was wrong. He grabbed her out of my arms and began to give her mouth to mouth resuscitation, and she revived and gave a small cry. Then, he told me to sit down with her and not to worry. Everything would be all right. After life was restored to her, he went right on with the service that night, while I sat with her in my lap, afraid to look down at her for fear that she wouldn't be breathing again. I never realized that night what a battle we were to have over the next few years, fighting Satan, as he tried so hard to take her life over and over again.

I am glad that Christ came to give life, and He made me to know that death is an enemy to God, and it is the last enemy to be conquered. Death is cruel, and God's Word teaches us that we have passed from death unto life, so death has no power over us.

At this time, my eyes had not been opened to this great truth, so I fought a battle with death, as it wrestled hard to take our baby's life. I was afraid to let George go anywhere without us, for he was the only one who understood how to work with her, to bring life back into her little body when Satan would attack her. Many times it looked as though she was going to die, but through Christ Jesus, I can report victory over Satan. She is a living testimony of the great power of God's healing virtue. Now, she is over twenty, married and has a beautiful little girl of her own.

During the time of this terrible ordeal, we went to Jeffersonville, Indiana, where Brother William Branham was preaching at his tabernacle. One particular night, the tabernacle was so crowded, and for some reason, the air conditioners went off. Little Sue was fretful, and I had to walk her outside all during the services, hoping Brother Branham would pray for her when he finished preaching. To my disappointment, I heard him say over the outside speakers that since it was so hot and miserable without the air conditioners, he wasn't going to pray for sick. I walked to the back of the church, and was standing in the shadows with a sad, heavy heart, after traveling so far, and then, worrying with her all during the preaching, only to find out that he wasn't going to minister to the sick that night.

I looked and saw Brother and Sister Branham get into their station wagon to drive off. (You that are familiar with Brother Branham when he was living knew how he would slip out after he finished ministering before the people were dismissed, because there were so many people desiring to talk to him until they would just throng him.)

As he started out the driveway, all of a sudden, he stopped the car and began to back up to where I stood. He rolled his glass down and asked this question, "Do you want your baby prayed for?" I said, "I sure do, Brother Branham!" He laid his hands on her and prayed, and then he drove off as I stood there crying and thanking God that He had seen the desire of my weary heart.

I would probably have despaired if I had not remembered what Brother Branham had preached that night. He said that after you were prayed for, Satan would fight harder than ever to cause you to doubt your healing, but if you would not let your faith waver for seventy-two hours after prayer, Satan could not hold on any longer.

Sue started having more attacks and got worse, but I held on to God's promises. Then, the attacks began to get farther and farther apart, until she stopped having them altogether.

I still praise God for this great miracle. She was healed! God's Word had prevailed again, and Satan lost the battle! This the is the victory that overcomes the world: our faith in what Christ has already done for us.

By Sister Betty Pike

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