Bob Galley, A Tribute to My Dad
It may seem strange to call my dad an African Hero, but that’s what he was by the standards of his Baouli friend Monsieur. The following is a true story of how I found out.
My Ivorian friend Rose, who earned her daily income by helping us in the home, informed me one day that she was taking a weekend trip to Beomi to visit her uncle. Gary and I asked if we could come along, as I had not seen the town of Beomi since my childhood days. “Of course,” she answered, “it will be fun traveling together!”
Arriving in Beomi, we immediately entered the home of Rose’s uncle. After greeting her uncle, Rose introduced him to Gary, and then to me. “This is Ruth, the daughter of the former missionary Bob Galley.”
“Ah Bob Galley—-I knew him well; he is my good old friend! Llttle Ruthie—I remember you! Whenever your father visited me, you always came along, riding in the back of his jeep wearing your little white helmet. And your mother, Betty—how is she?”
I answered all his questions in French, as best as I could. Then In a strong welcoming grip, Monsieur heartily shook my hand. With tears slipping down his cheeks, he explained, “I have always treasured a special letter from your father. In it he wrote me why he must leave us here in Cote d’Ivoire. ‘I must go to Liberia to get the Baouli language on ELWA radio, so that you and your people can hear about Jesus over the air, in your own native dialect.’”
“Because of what your father did, Ruthie, we now have many Jesus followers in our tribe. I am so thankful to God for your father. But now I cannot find Bob Galley’s letter to me! I am deeply disturbed, for I miss my dear friend very much! However, God has sent you here so I can know my friend’s address in America again, and send him a letter.”
Well, Monsieur did exactly what he said; he sent my dad a letter. The end of the story is that several days before my father died, he received that letter from his precious friend in Africa! Excitedly, my dad wrote him back! Shortly afterwards, God took Bob Galley home to be with Jesus in Heaven. Monsieur had the privilege of seeing my father’s last written words here on this earth!
2 comments January 3rd, 2008