The Enduring Faith of Darlene Deibler Rose: A Story of Perseverance and Trust

Allow me to introduce a faith blazer named Darlene (born many years before my precious Momma, Darlene). I’ve given you a sneak peek of this Darlene before. This excerpt from her book, Evidence Not Seen-A Woman’s Miraclous Faith in the Jungles of World War II, will shed light on why her faith story has touched my life.

“Peace came to the Japanese prison camp at Kapili two weeks after it had been heralded in the highroads and footpaths, the boulevards, and cobbled tracks of the rest of the world. On September 19, 1945, seventeen days after the truce had been signed about the battleship USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, I stepped carefully, balancing my emaciated eighty-pound frame, into a bobbing rowboat that was to carry me from Celebes, the island of my captivity, to a flying boat lying at anchor in the harbor sent to evacuate American personnel from the military prison camp. Eight years before, and a war away, I had arrived in the islands with my husband, on our first wedding anniversary, to begin missionary work in the interior of New Guinea. Now, rowing away from the shore, I could think of nothing but two lonely wooden crosses, half-hidden on some remote hillside. One was the grave of the Reverend C. Russell Deibler, my husband; the other, that of Dr. Robert Alexander Jaffray, my spiritual mentor and an inimitable pioneer and visionary, who had given more than forty years in missionary services to China, Indochina, and Indonesia. Darlene Deibler felt washed in a sea of bitterness. She could only cry out to God. There were no letters from home to comfort her while being held captive, nor could she get over the ache with deep pain from losing Russell. She hardly had time to say goodbye to the people she had grown to love—those who were saved in Macassar. “God be with you, till we meet again…,” they sang.”

Darlene McIntosh and Russell Deibler married on August 18, 1937, in Boone, Iowa, after meeting during Russell’s furlough from Borneo. Darlene was 20; Russell 32.

In 1938, the Deibler’s traveled to Holland, where they spent six months learning the Dutch language and customs. From there, they traveled to the East Indies (Indonesia). This “island paradise” has more than 13,500 islands (scattered from the South China Sea to the Indian Ocean). There they taught in the Makassar Bible School, along with other missionary friends. From the island of Celebes, Darlene would soon “walk over the horizon of the future” into New Guinea. With them there would also be Dr. Robert A. Jaffray and his daughter, Margaret (or Muggins or Muggie, as he called her).

Several months later, Russell and Walter Post eagerly began exploring new opportunities. They sought exciting possibilities for missionary work in the beautiful Wissel Lakes region of Irian Jaya, Indonesia. They proudly became the first missionaries to enter that region, joyfully sharing the gospel with the Kapauku tribe. When the moment was perfect, Viola Post and Darlene Deibler joined their husbands, ready to make a positive impact together.

Trailblazers

The excitement was high to share the Gospel with thousands of natives in the islands. They had never heard of Jesus. The following years were full of challenges. They traveled to share the Gospel and care for the local people.

“Cresting the summit, I looked down into the valley and saw men, women, and children running out of their gardens or hurrying out of their huts. All were heading toward the mountainside. Half of them yodeled “Hoo!” and then the answer “Hoo!” echoed back an octave lower. Their excitement was infectious. Those long months of sitting on the coast in Macassar, the separation from Russell, the packing and unpacking, the exhausting trek over the rugged terrain=all these were behind me now. I raised my hands, waving to the people. My cheeks streaked with tears. I started running down the mountainside, singing at the top of my lungs, “I’m home! I’m home!”–Darlene Deibler Rose

War is getting close to home!

In January 1941 Russell was elected Assistant Chairman to Dr. Robert Jaffray for the field of Indonesia. The Deibler’s, along with a couple named Presswood’s, would stay with Dr. Jaffray and his daughter. They would travel to Benteng Tinggi for supplies. At one point they learned of a ship that would evacuate all foreigners. Dr. Jaffray said, “I want to counsel you not to discuss this decision that must be made with other other—not even husband and wife. Go to your knees and say, ‘Lord, what do You want me to do” Shall I go or shall I stay?’ No one person felt led to leave. Some 3 days after that the evacuation ship had been torpedoed and sunk.

Separation

When Pearl Harbor got attacked, the harsh reality of war really hit the Deibler’s. By January 2nd, 1942, the Philippines had fallen (and other islands were still going down). They hiked up a mountain to check out a naval battle. She’d later find out this was the Battle of the Macassar Straits. In March, the enemy rolled into their home. Russell was about to be taken away. He leaned over the tailgate and spoke to Darlene. “Just remember one thing, dear: God said He would never leave us nor forsake us.” That would be the last time Darlene saw Russell.

Despite the heartbreak, Darlene experienced a profound sense of peace as Russell’s vehicle disappeared from sight. Her confidence in Romans 8:28—“All things work together for good”—remained strong, even in the face of unimaginable sorrow and uncertainty. Darlene experienced separation from her husband Russell. She witnessed the suffering of those around her. Darlene drew strength from scripture and the words of mentors like Dr. Jaffray. Her perseverance through sickness, loss, and hardship is a testament to living a life of unwavering faith. It encourages others to remain steadfast in their beliefs regardless of their circumstances.

Darlene and her fellow missionaries were confined to shacks on a remote mountainside, fully aware that without divine intervention, rescue was unlikely. One night, a threatening figure in a black sarong entered the hallway, wielding a machete. Darlene recognized him as one of the feared Boegis people. Courageously, she chased him away, only to realize there was a group of Boegis men waiting outside. Rather than attacking, the men fled in fear. Night after night, they returned, but they never entered Darlene’s shack again.

The Japanese soldiers wanted all foreigners under their surveillance. In December of 1942 they were moved. Five months later Darlene and Mrs. Presswood learned that their husbands were no longer in Macassar. They, along with Dr. Jaffray and his daughter, were taken to Kampili.

“Throughout those very difficult years that tried our souls, God kept our barracks a calm center in the eye of the military storm that raged around us…I am convinced the harmony we experienced in Barracks 8 was due to the spiritual shelter beneath which we all hid when there was no other refuge.” (Rose, 69).

Russell’s Death

At the early age of thirty-seven Russell Deibler died of dysentery on August 29, 1943. A missionary of the Dutch Protestant Mission once wrote about Russ: “He was one of the few people beloved by everyone.” He meant something to everyone. A bright ray of sunshine.

It was a Sunday evening in November that Darlene learned of Russell’s death 3 months earlier. It was Mr. Yamaji, a Japanese officer, who led the camp and respected Darlene, who allowed the news to be shared. Darlene shared how God loves Him. And about his Son Jesus who died for Him.

“He died for you, Mr. Yamaji, and He puts love in our hearts-even for those who are our enemies.

That’s why I don’t hate you, Mr. Yamaji. Maybe God brought me to this place and this time to tell you He loves you.”

Tears ran down Mr. Yamaji’s face.

Darlene faced interrogators every few days while in prison. She was forced to sign a false confession. She came near execution and suffered the debilitating effects of dysentery. She encountered Mr. Yamaji after she had crazy banana dreams and lost so much weight! One night, as retold to A.W. Tozer, she was assured an angel was sent to protect her from drunk guards!

Darlene was assured her faith rested on a Person—not on feelings! A changeless and matchless Savior!

Years, and amazing stories later, she learned of President Roosevelt’s death and the new President, Harry Truman, from Missouri. Darlene would learn later that Mr. Yamaji had been in conference with the Australians in Macassar. The Internees of Kampili would be returning there. Four years of TOTAL isolation from the rest of the world. No singing celebration, parades, confetti, or dancing. She learned of Dr. Jaffray’s death. He was like a father to her.

She also met the doctor who cared for Russell. He shared that Russell had kept calling for her. Later, she was given a letter written by Russell, along with a beautiful sketch of Russell’s grave. Dr. Jaffray had also written a letter. It was all about Russell’s death and his damaged heart. Darlene was driven past the Pare Pare police barracks. The cemetery wasn’t too distant from the camp. The flower arrangements had been made with care. She wept softly as the Lord reminded her to “not sorrow like those who have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13). He is at home.  She knew God healed him of his dysentery when He took him to His heavenly home. No damaged heart or pain.

Reunited with Family & Remarried

Darlene reunited with her parents (and arrived with her sense of humor!). She thought about how overwhelming it was. She wondered if that’s what it will be like when she sees Jesus. She marveled at the wisdom and love of God. He controls the curtains of the stage on which the drama of our lives is played. His hand draws aside the curtains of events only far enough for us to view one sequence at a time.”  

Darlene testified to the power and presence of God throughout her prison experiences and marveled at her survival. In 1946, a young man named Gerald W. Rose was given a film to use in deputation. It was a documentary of Rev. C. Russell Deibler’s trek to the Wissel Lakes in the interior of Dutch New Guinea. Rev. Rose was under appointment. As it was in God’s plan, after Jerry and Darlene met, they would marry in 1948. They began their ministry in New Guinea in early 1949. Their two sons (Bruce and Brian) were raised there. In 1978, they moved to meet more challenges in the Australian Outback. In 2003, Darlene and Jerry settled down in a retirement center in Chattanooga, Tennessee. They both met their Heavenly Father in 2004.

“Lord, I believe all that the Bible says I do walk by faith and not by sight. I do not need to FEEL you near, because Your Word says You will never leave nor forsake me. Lord, I confirm my faith; I believe.” “The evidence of things not seen. Evidence not seen-that was what I put my trust in…” When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace; In every high and stormy gale, My anchor holds within the veil. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand, All other ground is sinking sand.

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Bibliography

Rose, D. D. (1988). Evidence Not Seen-A Woman’s Miraculous Faith in the Jungles of World War II. New York: Harper One .

Photos courtesy of K.L. Hale from author’s book

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