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Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Remembering warmth

... just thinking about being outside with the sun on my face! It's going to be warm this weekend, so I've heard, 56*!!! I'LL TAKE IT!!!! I'm getting excited to open the windows and get the house cleaned from top to bottom and have this new little baby join our family. Spring time brings with it such beauty and newness! I'll enjoy this wintery day though....it's cozy and warm in our home and I am again so grateful for all we have. I received this email from my dear friend Lindy, living and working in India:

Monday, Feb.2nd, 2009.

Well, I don’t know if I have words to write but I will try to process my day with you the best I can.
Last week I wrote to you all and asked you to pray concerning my search for a young unwed pregnant girl. We didn’t go that next day due to the nurse’s cancellation. So, today we went.
I had no idea what to expect but left the house this morning in perfect peace knowing that it’s in God’s hands. And I’m not just saying that. I truly am experiencing the peace that comes as we do our part and leave the rest to God.
Wow- I can’t describe the walk and view walking down to the village. Before we had even started walking down the path, 2 boys with milk cans and straw baskets were headed that way. My nurse friend asked them a few questions and they were walking down to the same village and they also knew the girl! Talk about “favor” from the beginning. We followed them the whole way down and walked straight to the girl’s house.
I just can not imagine living a sheltered life like that. Wow. That’s all I know what to say right now. I have much processing to do. And my prayer today was…”Lord, you already know the plans you have for this child and woman… please speak Your plans and secrets to us.”
I believe the young girl looked lots older than reality…. I’m guessing she was in her late twenties or thirties. I don’t know. It’s so hard to tell. To me, she looked over 50. She obviously has a speech difficulty and doesn’t speak. But she was smiling the whole time. I believe she is also mentally challenged. She is staying with her sister and family. She was gathering wood in the jungle nearby and was raped by a village man. She doesn’t know who it was.
My heart was touched as my nurse friend took her inside the small wooden hut and the girl immediately lifted her shirt to show us her stomach. The nurse took a few empty rice bags from the room for her to lay on and the dirtiest pillow you can imagine for her head. I am blessed to have a new friend. Sangita is the nurse’s name. She has God’s heart and is willing to continue to help me and them. She said ..”yes, there is a child within and I can hear the fluid moving.” “next time we come, we will bring a stethoscope and do a thorough checkup and hear the baby’s heartbeat.”
The sister told us that she had been taking tree bark medicine in hopes to miscarry the baby. She thought she already had. But no, there is life within the womb.
She is approximately 5 months pregnant. We plan to go every month and do a checkup. If we would bring her here, she would only return to her village. I see this is the best for now. I also believe there are opportunites in this village for us. As we were with the young woman, there were children underneath the wooden floor outside trying to peer through the cracks in the floor. The hut is not flat on the ground. I don’t know what it is held up with.
Even though they couldn’t speak or understand English, I spoke to them as if they could. The nurse even affirmed me in doing this and we agreed that God’s word does not return void. It goes forth… no matter the understanding.
Speaking God’s word- brings forth “life”!
I prayed for them and Wow… yes, another Wow. Still processing.
Sangita told me that by helping them with as simple as giving a piece of clothing, etc… that is hope to them. They live contented lives. With nothing. Nothing. And they told us that 2 years ago, the whole family gave their lives to Jesus! From worshipping dead gods to the ONLY GOD!

Thank you for praying and for being involved in our lives! May God give you more of His heart each day!

Isaiah 30:21
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears WILL hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it.”

Thank you LORD for guiding us. We went with knowing little, but with His promise, we had everything!!!!!

So blessed today, lindy.
-freedom house/INDIA

2 comments:

Jena said...

wow, friend, what an annointing Lindy has for the work she is doing, got holy ghost goosebumps reading that...

Amy Reece Spahr said...

wow. hi janelle, i emailed your friend lindy about a wk ago to ask about volunteering with her, but havent heard back from her yet. im wondering if i even have the correct email address. could you email it to me please.. tribespahr@gmail.com

thank you!