Ballard Miracles Rain

  I am reading the biography of tElder Ballard. I have to admit that I don't know much about his life. I am learning so much & growing to love him. I love this story. In the 1980's there was a famine in Ethiopia. The church held a fast and all of the money donated was to help alleviate the suffering in that country. Elder Ballard and Glenn Pace flew there to distribute the funds.  When they arrived they wanted to find the only member of the church in the country. They asked a couple of people at the airport to see if by any chance someone knew him...and he worked at the airport!  They  met with him and invited him to join them for sacrament meeting on Sunday and he was so happy because he hadn't had the sacrament for several months.  

On Sunday the three met for sacrament meeting and Elder Ballard prayed that the heavens would be open and rain would fall. No rain has fallen in the country for over a year. And that afternoon they met with two charitable organizations so they could begin to partner with them to help people who were suffering. When they returned to their hotel and shortly after arriving there was a crack of thunder and rain began to pour down. They said a prayer of thanksgiving. People  ran into the street and began to celebrate. And everywhere they went in Ethiopia the rain came with them.

Another miracle happened in Ethiopia. Ethiopia was under communist rule and traveling from state to state required many permits. They were told it would be at least 10 days before they could get a permit to travel to one of the camps to see the situation and deliver supplies. They Prayed for a miracle. Three days later they were on a plane filled with supplies with permits in hand.  Reading about the situation--which I somewhat remember from my childhood--had me in tears.  I really should never complain about my life again and should do far more to help others.  Elder Ballard said it changed him.

Another  story.  Elder Ballard went to a conference in South America.  A man arrived with half of his shirt discolored.  Elder Ballard spoke with the man who had walked many miles and crossed a river (causing the shirt's discoloration/dirtiness) to get to the conference.  Elder Ballard asked if he had eaten or had money and the man said no.  After questioning what led him to sacrifice to come to the conference, the man said they would walk for a week to hear an apostle of the Lord.  I don't know that I would do that.  I think I am not very good at sacrificing and should be better.  

Elder Ballard was close friends with Jon Huntsman.  One year Jon and his wife were out of town when their teenage son was abducted and the abductor said if the police were contacted, the son would be killed.  Jon called the FBI and Elder Ballard.  The police set up in the Ballards home and thankfully the son was safely recovered.  Jon Huntsman said that a true friend is one who when you have a problem, they have a problem too.  Elder Ballard is that type of friend.