Aunt Sylvia - Part 4

The following is taken from part of my Great Aunt Sylvia's book, "Victory Through Suffering."  It's her story of how she survived a Japanese Concentration Camp:

(See Previous Accounts)
Aunt Sylvia - Part 3
Aunt Sylvia - Part 2
Aunt Sylvia - Part 1

Walk With Me

"God Specializes in Things Thought Impossible"

One day there was rumor that the whole camp was to be moved.  All had high hopes it would be to the coast and then home.  The hours of preparations were strenuous as we were allowed only 60 lbs per person.  Finally we were marched to the train where we were crammed in for one day and two nights.  Children dropped with fatigue in the floor or behind our backs on the tiny narrow benches, while mothers perched on the edge and fought sleep to keep the children from being trampled to death.  One never knew when the Japanese would plod through the mass of humanity in search of someone.  At length, in the middle of the night (at about 2 AM) we arrived "somewhere" and were commanded to get off the train immediately, leaving baggage on the train.  our luggage was thrown out in a heap on the ground and brought to the camp later, as a pile of rubbish.  We searched through it trying to find something familiar.

The crowded trucks were whizzed off into the night, and ushered us into the crowded "Bandjir Biru" camp.  There we were given 18 inch space to lay our mat (this was on boards on top of saw horses).  Such an anti-climax after days and nights of intense strain, when we were hoping for the best... it was too great a disappointment.  We could not restrain the tears.  I opened my eyes in our new room with 118 people.  Some rooms had 500 to 700 in one room.  After those terrible weary nights of packing and travel, only His grace could sustain the shock.  One could only say, "How long, Lord, how long?!"

There were five rows of skinny mattresses on boards laid on saw horses.  People were passing in the isles almost continually.  Noise, coughing and talking were incessant day and night.  There was no quietness.  Our main problem was to concentrate sufficiently in this throng to pray and meditate on the Word.  This was our only strength for the day.  He must be first.  Many precious lessons were learned even midst the turmoil.  Our privacy for the family altar was only a mosquito net.  I praise the Lord for the intense interest and desire of the children to learn about God.  Even in this crowded room they were able to learn about the Lord.  even in this crowded room they were able to concentrate.  Their chief concern grew to be the eternal interests.

After a time, it became apparent that this constant strain and confusion began to wear on the children and even on myself.  Dr. Domste insisted that we needed other accommodations if possible.  She suggested the prison cell.  This did not sound very inviting but anything was better than what we had.  Although she made out the order for us, we heard nothing further.  When the day for moving to the cells came, no word had arrived for us.  The lady in charge of our room said there were so many and that it was impossible.  I said nothing but believed the Lord had a plan for us in this impossible situation.  God specializes in things thought impossible. I kept the matter before Him, asking that He be glorified.  About noon on the last moving day, Dr. Domste questioned me, "Why aren't you moving?"  I explained that no word had been given me.  Taking the matter up immediately, she found the cell and told me to move to the on in B-C section.

It did not take long to get moved.  The Lord had heard my prayer.  You will note in the plan, the three sections of cells (50 in each) with a court in the center.  Each cell made for one person, almost 5ft X 6.5ft.  As compared to the large, crowded room, this was a haven of the rest!  Just to look at bare walls instead of a sea of eyes was a relief.  The unceasing din of voices was dimmed.  How I rejoiced for the prison cell!!

Alas, our privacy was short-lived.  Many more people were brought to camp, and it necessitated crowding 4-5 into a cell made for one prisoner.  We had to share our tiny cell with a lady and her boy.  The boys were obliged to sleep on the floor with the lady on the boards above them.  My mat was on the stacked suitcases at the foot of her bed.  The boys had no places except under the bed.  Even to eat, they sat with pan in hand under the edge of the bed while eating or playing.  No wonder they did not know how to sit in a chair when they returned to the United States.

-Aunt Sylvia