19 May My Favourite Stories #86
Airlift
On September 23, 1922 the old U.S.S Mississippi, with a new name and a new owner, was anchored in the harbour of Mytilene – an island in the Aegean Sea. An American by the name of Asa Jennings, with his wife and family, had been sent by the YMCA to the Turkish city of Smyrna. His assignment was to study what might be done to smooth relations between the Turks, Armenians, Greeks and Jews.
At the end of the First World war the Allies had ‘given’ Smyrna to the Greeks as a reward for their participation in the war. The Greeks had occupied Smyrna and pushed inland toward Ankara. But Ataturk had rallied the Turkish people to back his drive for independence. The overconfident Greeks were suddenly retreating before Ataturk. They burned and pillaged their way back to Smyrna. In so doing the Greeks forced their own countrymen, as well as the Armenians, to abandon their homes and flee to the coast. Every road to the sea was choked with refugees. And then believe it or not, the Greek soldiers, thinking only of their own safety, simply took ship and sailed away. The refugees were left to make out as best they could. Smyrna was now in flames and the refugees were pushed toward the sea.
While to city was burning Asa Jennings put his family aboard an American destroyer, but stayed behind to see what he could do for the refugees. He had food sent, but this suffering mass of humanity needed ships. The ships that evacuated the soldiers were now anchored at Mytilene and so Jennings went to see these in charge. They were unwilling to co-ooperate.
It was then that Jennings sighted the old U.S.S Mississippi at anchor and he rowed out through the early morning mist to board her. He wanted direct contact with the Greek government. He asked the captain to send a code message to Athens, requesting that all Greek ships in the waters around Smyrna be placed at his disposal. It was 4am.
A message came back, “Who are you?” A natural question seeing as he had only been there a month! His bold response, “I am in charge of American relief at Mytilene.” Well, he was the only American there!
Athens was more cautious that the general in charge of the Greek fleet. Finally, in exasperation, Jennings wired Athens that if he did not receive a favourable reply by 6pm, he would wire openly, without code – letting all the world know that the Greek government had refused to rescue its own people from certain death. It worked. Shortly before 6pm a message came through: ALL SHIPS IN AEGEAN PLACED YOUR COMMAND. REMOVE REFUGEES SMYRNA.
Ten words that meant life for thousands. It also meant that a young, unknown American had just been made Admiral of the Greek navy. And so, he assumed command of the twenty ships. He ordered the American flag to be flown.
Picture the scene if you can. From the bridge on the lead ship as they approached, he could see the smoking ruins of Smyrna. At the water’s edge, stretching for miles, was what looked like a lifeless black border. Yet he knew it was a living border of sufferers waiting, hoping, praying – as they had done for days – for ships!
As they approached the air was filled with the cries of those thousands – cries of joy. They had scanned the watery horizon for days, and now here was life and safety.
There is of course a striking parallel that will happen soon. A spectacular rescue that will happen not from the sea, but from the sky. Involving not three hundred thousand refugees on a single shore, but – if only they would be willing – every man, women, and child on a shaking, burning, convulsing planet. Pushed to the brink of oblivion with no way out but by airlift from the sky! God is not unprepared; He has already scheduled it. I never tire of hearing the words,” For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever.” (1THesselonians 4:16,17NLT)
This is God’s airlift! A wonderful day for those who are prepared for it. This isn’t something to spoil your plans. This isn’t something to fear, or dread, or wish you could postpone. This is good news. Thinking about this day will give you something to live for.
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