When the horrors of war visited the civilians of Nanjing, China, women
were not spared in the mounting violence and many were assaulted and killed. In
this threatening environment, Minnie Vautrin took heroic measures to protect
Chinese women from harm. Serving as a missionary teacher at Ginling College in
Nanjing, Minnie cooperated with Chinese nationals, missionaries, surgeons, and
business people and turned the college into a “safety zone,” a place of refuge
for thousands of women and girls.
In the Bible, we learn that Ruth and her mother-in-law, Naomi, were in
need of some protection too. To survive as widows, they had to glean what they
could from the harvested fields. As was the custom, Ruth sought a “kinsman
redeemer.” This was a next of kin or close relative to her deceased husband who
would marry her to continue the family line. Boaz was just such a man. He was
touched by Ruth’s sacrificial care for Naomi and her desire to look for refuge
in the Lord (Ruth 2:12).
Boaz worked honorably to “redeem” Ruth and to make her his wife. He then
provided for her and Naomi.
Our ultimate refuge is in the Lord Himself (Ps. 46:1).
Yet He wants to use us as instruments to provide a “safety zone” for others.
They truly love who show their love. – Shakespeare ( RBC )
