We Didn’t Start the Fire
This is a song composed a few years ago in honor of my parents in law, Henry and Katie Nelson. Katie died in 2018, and Henry died today, January 31, 2022. He was 99 years old.
What a life! Henry was born to missionary parents in China. He and Katie met at Vanderbilt and then went to the mission field for life long ministry, first to China, then to Congo. They were both consummate servants. They had five children, 11 grandchildren, and 18 great grandchildren. I am privileged to be married to their daughter Faye and deeply honored to have known them.
In this song, with music borrowed from Billy Joel, I tried to encapsulate their magnificent lives by telling how they met and relating some of the dramatic events of their lives. They lived through so many revolutions (communist China in 1949, Congo Independence in 1960, Tiananmen massacre in 1989) that the family joked that maybe, after all, it was Henry and Katie who were actually sparking the revolutions!
If you want to know more, Henry wrote a book called Doctor With Big Shoes about their ministry and lives.
We love and miss you, Henry, and rejoice that you are receiving the greatest of reward for your life of sacrificial service – seeing the face of the glorified Lord Jesus as he welcomes you home and commends you:
“Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Big shoes indeed!!
We Didn’t Start the Fire
Moravian love feast, Punk’s got his hands greased; Eula Wolff’s sugar cake, in North Carolina.
Bound feet, steam boat, rickshaw, silk coat, Chopsticks, rice fields: the South of China.
Meet in Nashville, Vanderbilt, Compton Hill, Mutt and Jeff, her and him, dancing in the Old Gym.
Founder’s medal, med school, Mandarin is really cool, now they’re armed with every tool,
And Second Pres will send them!
CHORUS:
We didn’t start the fire of the revolutions we acquire
Our aim is much higher: just to spread the love of God above.
General Gordan climb on board an’ sail away to the Communist bloc.
Teaching, serving, care unswerving, a brilliant nurse and a big-shoed doc
Communist, national they gave them care one and all; Blood donation, separation, Ham radio
Katie you are so far, I’m coming by a steam car; walls go up, where to go? Nelsons in the Congo!
Bidia, rigged boats, rutted roads, dodging goats, snakes in beds and hot holidays
Surgery from a book, teaching locals how to cook, a PhD, Munkamba getaways
Revolution once again, armed men closing in; hurry better save the kids… and the cutlery!
Make the call, no time at all, clothes are wet, load the jet, quick goodbyes, friendly skies back to Tennessee!
BRIDGE:
Vanderbilt basketball, Seagrove, Florida; Whales in Baja, Canal in Panama
Appalachian Trail and Mountains to the Sea; Maryville, Smokies, Tennessee
Congo rewind, travel back you will find healthcare knowledge, Congolese in college
Torches burning with new learning, carry on your heritage.
Now your kin all can see and celebrate your legacy –
Bulape, IMCK, what else do I have to say?!
Oct 1993 Bonseba Henry & Mikobe’s brother
2010