This is Mary’s testimony, which she shared on Sunday, October 6th. Since September, OBC has led an inspiring sermon series on the Book of Numbers.

When Pastor Jonan said we were going to study the Book of Numbers, I certainly did not get excited or enthusiastic about it.

It was not my “go-to” book in the Bible. It started with all those unpronounceable names of tribe leaders and Israel’s family descendants, etc. Then it goes on to them wandering in the desert for 40 years.

Now, at the same time as we were being introduced to all the tribes, the Māori King here in NZ had died, and all the Māori tribes were gathering. These tribes also had unfamiliar names, and most were difficult for me to pronounce.

I realised that throughout history, nothing has changed. Every culture calls together its leaders to set the rules and boundaries for its people to follow and acknowledge.

Next, we read about the people wandering in the desert for 40 years.

That was me. I wandered in the “desert” for 40 years, too. I did not leave the “desert” until I was 43 years old when I accepted Jesus as my Saviour and Redeemer. This reading and reflection was not the end.

I kept on reading until I came to Numbers chapter 27. Something else was happening in my life alongside this reading.

Before I became Mary Mason, my name was Mary Buck. My husband’s name was Cliff. We lived in Kekerengu in Marlborough.

One day, we drove to Christchurch to visit friends, and while there, we saw an article in the Christchurch newspaper about a man from San Diego, California, whose name was Cliff Buck (the same as my husband).

This man had seen a TV documentary called “This is New Zealand,” which prompted him to visit this country. He contacted the TV company in Wellington, and through them, the article was published.

On reading this, I suggested to my husband that he should find out this man’s address through the TV Channel and explain that because they had the same name, he would like to write to him.

And that is exactly what happened. The letter went back and forth. My Cliff wrote about life in Kekerengu and that he did a lot of deer stalking and pig hunting. He was a keen hunter.

A few months passed, and Mr. Cliff Buck from San Diego wrote to say that he was coming back to NZ and was looking forward to meeting us.

When we knew which day he was coming, we advised the newspaper reporters from the Marlborough Express, who duly came, took photos, and wrote an excellent article about the two men.

When Cliff Buck arrived, he had a special gift for my Cliff. It was a Buck Hunter’s Knife. For anyone who doesn’t know, the Buck brand is to hunting knives as a Rolex watch is to watches. It was a very special and much-valued gift.

A few years later, when my husband died, I put the Buck Knife away, where it stayed (still in its special box) for 35 years.

Three weeks ago, I took it out from its hiding place and thought, “What am I going to do with this if it is worth a bit.” Should I put it on Trade Me and sell it? No, that did not seem right. Should I give it to someone I knew was a hunter? No, I would have to think carefully about that. I had no idea what I should do.

While this quandary was going on, I continued to read the Book of Numbers, and when I got to Chapter 27, I found the answer.

Chapter 27 tells the story of these girls whose father (Zelophehad) had died, leaving no sons but only these daughters. The girls went to Moses (Eleazar, the priest, the leaders, and the whole assembly) and said they felt their father’s inheritance should come to them; otherwise, their father’s name would be lost.

Moses said to leave it with me; I will ask the Lord about it. And the Lord replied that the girls were correct. Give them the property that would have been given to their father if he had lived. If a man dies and has no sons, then his inheritance shall be passed on to his daughters. Moreover, this is a general law among you.

Wow, what a revelation that was. I had not given them, his daughters, a thought. My husband had no sons, only daughters, and I knew then that I had to pass the knife on to them.

I had no contact at all with the eldest daughter. As far as she was concerned, I was the “wicked witch of the West” as I had married their father. All I knew was her name and that she lived on the West Coast.

How was I going to find her? The West Coast Electoral Roll and the Greymouth Phone Book “found” her.

I phoned and explained who I was and why I was calling. I could almost feel her smiling. She said, “I’ve just been thinking about you. I knew Dad had a pen pal with the same name, but I did not know about the knife.”

We chatted for a few minutes, and I told her I would have it couriered to her along with photos, a newspaper article, and even an envelope sent from America. She was thrilled. She said she had no grandsons, but her sister did and that it would go to one of them one day.

When Cliff’s daughter received the parcel, she messaged me and thanked me so much. I was no longer the “wicked witch of the West.” A healing had taken place.

The Book of Numbers was exactly what I was meant to read.

Last June 2023, I arrived here in New Zealand to pursue an agricultural course mainly focusing on dairy farming and aimed to find a job afterwards. 

Before that, I was a software engineer in the Philippines for almost six years. However, a few years ago, life threw some difficult circumstances my way, so I went abroad to start a new life, helping my parents and siblings and having my healing journey alone. 

But I think life gets tougher here in New Zealand. I spent my three months of study and training in Hamilton. Of course, living alone and adjusting to a new country were very challenging for me. But after I completed my program, another real hustle began.

I struggled to find a job for almost four months because obtaining a work visa became complicated, and not many employers wanted to hire migrants anymore. Especially in farming, most employers prefer men to women. 

So, I had been anxious and doubtful for months, sending hundreds of applications and being rejected a hundred times, but I just kept waiting and praying to God. 

While in my waiting season, I cannot stop questioning God. I keep asking, God, why did you allow this to happen? Why do I feel like struggles keep coming and won’t end?

God, Why do I feel like life is so easy for others, but why is it so hard for me that I need to crawl to get where I am right now? God, why have my friends settled into their lives, and here I am, still lost and wandering like a baby? 

Yes, I’ve been rebellious and tested enough, but God has shown me his love and comforted me through His word.

Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Philippians 4:6-7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Isaiah 41:10

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

These were the verses that God has instilled in me through my journey, and these words gave me assurance, hope, and peace. 

By God’s grace, I was employed and started working on a farm somewhere in Glenavy last December.

It’s a significant relief for me since I was challenged not only emotionally and mentally but also financially. But God is really good; He sustained me and provided for all my needs in His mysterious ways. 

However, it does not end there. God loves to get my attention.

Just this year, the farm owner decided to sell the farm, and I was told to look for a new job because the farm would only be running until the end of May.

That’s where anxiety and fear tried to overcome me as soon as I learned about it because I knew that if I couldn’t find a new job, the worst-case scenario was that I would have to return to the Philippines.

This development concerns me because I still owe a considerable sum of money to my family. I almost gave in to the enemy’s lies and broke down again.

But this time, I chose to pause. I reassessed my life and my thoughts. And I heard God say, “Hey, my child, don’t waste your time worrying. I am your God. We have been through a lot together. Have I ever left you alone? If I can perform great things before, how much more can I do for you this time?”

I surrendered my battles to the Lord, knowing nothing could stand against His power. So I focused on him, waited for him, prayed nonstop, and started taking life positively. 

Again, by His grace and mercy, I signed a contract with a new employer weeks ago, and I am currently waiting for my working visa to be settled. Indeed, to God, all be the glory. 

Throughout my journey, I’ve been thankful for the lessons God taught me, for moulding my character and strengthening my faith, and I’m also grateful for the people God sent to help me. Again, God is really good. 

So, I want to share some of my takeaway lessons:

First, in our waiting season, instead of fretting, let us clear our minds and hearts and get ready to listen to God. We know that God controls everything, so if he allows us to wait, he must teach us something during the process. 

Second, God gives us trials to shake our lives because it’s His loving way of getting our attention. So when life gets hard, let’s remind ourselves that God already knows the problem and the solution; he knows our needs and wants us to search for him and put our trust in him. 

Third, when our future gets blurry, remember that we may encounter many uncertainties in our lives, but one thing is sure: God is good; he loves us enough that our tomorrows are already taken care of. 

NOTE: The author shared her testimony during the 28 April Sunday worship service. She attended Oamaru Baptist Church while working at a Glenavy farm. We continue to pray and journey with her through prayers and support.