Large ships of the British Navy were in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Only a few destroyers were available to rescue the soldiers from Dunkirk and they could not get close because of the shallow and rocky beaches. It appeared to be a losing battle.

Prime Minister Winston Churchill made an appeal on BBC radio. He asked for any vessel which could float to come to Deal and Ramsgate to collect petrol, water, blankets and make runs to Dunkirk to evacuate the soldiers.

If you check a map of England, which is actually an island, and the coast of France, you will see the English Channel separates the two. In order to save the many soldiers, this body of water had to be criss-crossed by the rescue boats.

To everyone's astonishment, 700 vessels came to the rescue call. There were volunteers from all walks of life, with their rowboats, sailboats, fishing trawlers, yachts, pleasure steamers, and even barges. The volunteers were picking up the men and carrying them to the bigger ships that could not get close to the beaches, while some were even ferrying the boys across the channel on a round-the-clock basis.

All the while the Luftwaffe was keeping a steady bombardment of the beaches. They had company. The RAF boys were up in their fighter planes doing the best they could. There were also enemy submarines in the channel. The volunteers faced constant danger.

It took eleven days to evacuate 340,000 British and French troops before the Germans captured the French sea town. Only about 40,000, mostly French, were left behind.

This was only one of the wonderful acts of heroism of a collective group of people during the pressure of a physical war. If the call came today, how many would answer the call. "Come, many are perishing. We need every vessel to help."

Mathew 9:37 - 38 "The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few. Pray you therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth labourers into His harvest."

You do not have to preach as some are called to do. You just have to tell the "Good News." When God saved you, He chose you purposely. He has a job for you. It may only be a kind word or a smile that will open the door to allow you to bring a bit of comfort to someone. The door can open wider and you will be able to witness and invite someone to church. Should they say no, ask again and again. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

As the volunteers said with the Little Ships, "Here am I; send me!!"