Marcus Patch (age 10)

But do they really know what drove him to make such an ambitious move? Flynn was a Presbyterian minister, and his faith is what drove him. He wanted to take the gospel to people living in the inland. However, he soon discovered that they needed physical help, too.

At the time, it was difficult to reach people over such vast distances, and radio transmission would need to travel long distances over the desert. But God is mighty, and God helped John to finish his supposedly stupid idea. The Bible says in Romans that all things work together for the good of those who love God. This same principle is shown in John Flynn: Into the Never Never by Janet and Geoff Benge, through the death of a friend, a persistent opposer and a fatal explosion (Benge & Benge, 2016).

The people of the outback needed medical aid, but using a car would not work because the conditions were too harsh. Aeroplane, however, was a different story. It would work, but John Flynn needed money for it. Slowly but surely, he received some money. Not fast enough for the board, though. They would force John to close down the mission if he did not get some money quickly. Soon after, someone gave him a slice of bad news cake. Hugh Victor McKay, John’s great friend, had died. “John’s heart stopped” (Benge & Benge, p. 133). The authors use this hyperbole to emphasise their point that John was really upset. Hugh had continually helped John. But there was good news! Hugh had left a large bequest to fund Flynn’s work! This goes to show that things shall work out when you do God’s will.

Later, in Alice Springs, Flynn was building a nursing home for sick and injured people. Unfortunately, Bill Hayes opposed the idea and wrote numerous letters to newspapers to say it was silly. Despite that, John finished his work. Later, when John was visiting, the nurses had some news. They said that Bill was the first patient. “How ironic,” said John (Benge & Benge, p. 141). Afterwards, Bill gave a large donation and went around telling people the nursing home was needed. This is yet another way all things work out when you are following the Lord.

Once again, John needed money. But now he had his doctors. He needed money to pay for fuel and to pay his doctor. Then, the very next day, headlines screamed of a “1300 Mile Race with Death” (Benge & Benge, p. 174). In Croydon, Queensland, a kerosene refrigerator exploded next to Jock Williamson, the hotel manager. Allen Vickers, the flying doctor, began flying to Brisbane with the patient. Flying conditions were harsh. 140 miles from Brisbane, Jock died. John couldn’t have asked for publicity to be so good. Donations grew as people realised the importance of the Flying Doctors. Surely God does bring good from bad for those who love His ways.

John Flynn had wanted to take the gospel to the inlanders. However, obstacles were in his way. Isolation, conditions, weather – all of these made it hard. Nonetheless, medical help was needed. That, too, was hard. Many difficulties lay ahead. Somehow, he kept going. Why? How? He knew that the Lord would turn around his trials for good. John Flynn: Into the Never Never shows that the death of a friend, a persistent opposer and a fatal explosion worked out for good because John Flynn was living a life for Christ. His experiences should stand as an example of what can happen when you live your life in faith and follow Christ. Nobody can go wrong with Him.

Reference.

Benge, J. & Benge G. (2016). John Flynn: Into the Never Never. YWAM Publishing.