Friday, July 5, 2013

Found!



I was found early in 1971. I wasn't literally in the belly of a whale -- but I was lost. I was a Christian. Jonah was a prophet of the Lord, yet both us got lost. Linda and I were already members of First Baptist Church of Chula Vista. I left for a year in Danang, Vietnam on Dec. 26, 1969. My wife sent tapes to me (yes, that is how we communicated in those days.) She was trying to encourage me, but her news made me feel more lost than ever. First she told me that she had experienced the "baptism of the Spirit." This was good, but I still didn't know how I felt about all of this "tongues speaking" stuff. Second she said that the church was experiencing a revival among young people. Lots of young hippies were beginning to come to church. She mentioned the word, Jesus People. Now, I wasn't sure I wanted to attend with all of the long-haired, unwashed, anti-war hippies. They weren't my kind of people. Linda almost finished it off when she told me about people living in community households (aka communes.) These people were also commies!

I returned from Vietnam on Dec. 15, 1970. After Christmas at our parent's home in Bellflower, we returned to Chula Vista. Linda said that we could really see what was happening if we went to an evening service. I got dressed in my suit and tie -- of course with a military haircut -- and we went to church. I was impressed with the number of people coming to church, in spite of their long hair. I must confess that I was uncomfortable though. Then I looked toward the front of the church. I saw this guy with long hair looking somewhat like Sonny Bono and he was wearing a navy dungaree shirt complete with second class petty officer chevrons. The Lieutenant Commander in me was very agitated. I considered going up to him, but I held my peace. I was there to observe. Then he saw me and came right up to me and said, "You are Dick Hensgen aren't you?" I replied that I was (I was much nicer than I really felt in side.) Then he said, "I have been praying for you. I am a Vietnam vet also." He than threw his arms around me and said, "Welcome home." My hear melted. God found me. I was home and I have never been the same.

Note -- the picture is not directly involved with this story. It is one of the community household at FBCCV.