A Tribute to Dr. John Dreisbach, 1922-2009

Dr. John Dreisbach was one of the “old school” missionaries, who spent his life serving as a career missionary doctor and evangelist in various places around the world. When he died, I was working on a children’s book about his adventures in western Africa. Perhaps the book will never be finished, but as a tribute, I’m posting here the first chapter.

CHAPTER 1
The Mantle

“Don’t know what to say, Mrs. Dreisbach. Sure am sorry.” Mr. Johnson stood at the kitchen table with his hat in his hand. “Don’t seem like enough to say that.”

Mrs. Johnson set her chicken casserole down on the table and came to wrap her arm around the shoulder of her friend. “Molly, words aren’t sufficient in our grief. But God knows, God knows.”

Mrs. Dreisbach sat at the kitchen table looking straight ahead and smiling slightly. Her brown bun rested loosely at her neck, as neat as ever, the wisps of hair gently touching her face like always. Her fist gripped her starched white apron, holding it to her mouth. But her eyes were dry.

Mrs. Kellerman came in from the other room. “Honey, the neighbors are gonna be comin’ in from all over, bringin’ you food. I know it’s not nothin’ compared to your loss, but it’s all . . .” she sat down heavily and began to sob.

Mr. Johnson shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other. “Mr. Dreisbach sure was a good man.”

Mrs. Dreisbach shook her head and spoke for the first time. “More than a good man,” she said. “He was a God man. He loved the Lord. He taught his family the Word.”

“And your son,” Mrs. Johnson went on, patting her friend’s shoulder. “What a fine strapping young fellow. Wanting to be a missionary doctor. Almost ready to go. Ohhh,” she almost groaned. “Well, God knows.”

Mrs. Dreisbach turned and looked at four-year-old Johnny, who was standing on his tiptoes gazing out the window. “The mantle has fallen to him,” she said.

Johnny pressed his nose against the window and watched his breath fog up the glass. He had been listening. He knew that yesterday a bolt of lightning had hit the door track of that shed, that one right out there, and in one stroke had killed both his father and older brother.

He didn’t turn his head at his mother’s words. But he knew, he knew. His big brother was like Elijah. He had gone to heaven. He, Johnny, was like Elisha.

“Poor little thing.” Mrs. Kellerman raised her head from the table and dabbed her bleary eyes with her apron. “Don’t even understand what happened.”

But he knew what had happened.

The mantle had fallen to him.

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5 comments on “A Tribute to Dr. John Dreisbach, 1922-2009
  1. Rebecca says:

    From Bev Campbell:

    Submitted on 2009/12/03 at 3:07 am

    Please do finish the book, if possible. I would love to have a copy. I’ve been acquainted with the Dreisbachs for a number of years since our church in West Virginia supported them. On a number of occasions they visited our church there. Now I live in New Zealand and Dr Dreisbach made a brief visit here a couple years ago and was in our church here also. I’ve always felt that Dr Dreisbach was one of the most godly men I’ve even known.
    Sincerely, Bev Campbell

  2. Rebecca says:

    From Alicia:

    Submitted on 2009/12/06 at 11:27 am

    This is a lovely tribute. And I sincerely hope that you finish the book because I want to read it!

  3. Rebecca says:

    From Josh Hendricks:

    Submitted on 2009/12/08 at 10:32 am

    Hello, I am a student at Bob Jones University. I currently work in the campus store, and I was wondering if you have finished this book??

    Josh Hendricks

  4. Rebecca says:

    Submitted on 2009/12/08 at 12:47 pm

    There is the possibility that it can still be finished. Dr. Dreisbach’s son, also named John, said that after Dr. Dreisbach’s affairs are settled perhaps I could get the rest of the stories I need through interviewing his children.

    In the meantime, though, I’m working on a new book, about a missionary in the Central African Republic.

  5. Barbara H. says:

    Thanks for stopping by my blog a while back and commenting on a post about Dr. John. Forgive me for taking a while to get back to you – I just rediscovered your comment. I hope you do finish the book some day. I think many could be inspired by the Dreisbachs’ story, plus I love missionary biographies that are recent so people know that they didn’t all occur hundreds of years ago, but God is still actively working today.

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