Room 44

Room 44

Hephzibah House  

51 W 75th Street  

New York, New York

If a ledger had been kept of Room 44, you would have read the names of many very special servants of God, called to serve Him around the world.

In the early years, all missionaries went to their fields by boat — there were no air flights, and they departed for long periods of time — some never returned.

Collecting their baggage and making plans for a family during those times was even more complicated than today;  for instance shoes for the children might be purchased in “guessed sizes” covering four to six years.  Everything was packed in barrels, kept until the time of departure, then taken by horse-drawn wagons to the docks.  Sometimes departure would be delayed for many weeks, during which time the family, housed at Hephzibah, awaited word of sailing.

Many missionary families have passed through the doors of Hephzibah, in and out, and they represent many countries and much fruit over one hundred years!

Room 44 is a hallowed place — it was the gathering place for a family excited about the future, but shedding those human tears over the good-byes that had been said before coming to NYC for departure to other lands.

We dedicate this special room to all those who have passed through here, in the march of faith, following the Lord’s command to go and preach the gospel, making disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

The four of us had the opportunity to visit New York City this spring.  We stayed for three nights at the Hephzibah House located at 51 W 75th Street.  For more than one hundred years, this house has housed missionary families as they wait to leave by ship to ports around the world.  (Today it is open to any full-time Christian worker as a place to rest and be refreshed.)

Our “Family” room was located on the forth floor of the house.  Room 44.  Posted outside the room is a dedication to all the missionary families who have stayed in this room.  Filling out the guest book on the door, we were moved to be able to be counted in the long line of missionary families who have stayed in room 44.

We are coming to the end of our Home Ministry Assignment and hoping to return to Japan in July. 

For the month of May, we have committed ourselves to pray that God would raise up the additional financial support needed to return to Japan on time.  We have filled our time with prayer, writing letters, meeting with individuals and visiting churches.  God has blessed. We currently have 86% of our monthly financial need pledged and we are beginning to work on raising $12,000 in one time gifts.

The history of Room 44 has served to remind us that waiting is part of the preparation.  This month of prayer has been good for our family.  We have given God’s work over to God’s timing.  He is building his church in his time and we will leave for Japan according to his eternal plan.  A valuable lesson is being learned.  Waiting is part of the journey.  

Isaiah 40:31