Faith Behind Bars: The Miraculous Bananas

Darlene Deibler Rose was an American Christian missionary who became a prisoner of war during World War II. Her story is one of remarkable faith, courage, and survival, and one of the fascinating aspects of her time in captivity involves bananas.

While imprisoned by the Japanese in a harsh internment camp in Indonesia, Darlene was subjected to extreme hardships, including malnutrition, illness, and solitary confinement. At one point, her health deteriorated to a life-threatening level, and she longed for a banana, a rare luxury in the camp. In her memoir, Evidence Not Seen, she recounts a moment of fervent prayer, asking God for just one banana to strengthen her and reassure her of His presence.

Miraculously, her prayer was answered in abundance. A sympathetic Japanese officer, moved by her plight, brought her an entire bunch of bananas-far more than she had imagined. This act of kindness was profoundly impactful for Darlene. She viewed it as a testament to God's care and provision even in the darkest circumstances.

The bananas became a symbol of hope and faith for her during her ordeal. Despite her suffering, Darlene's resilience, unwavering faith, and gratitude for even small blessings inspired many through her life and story.