ANJELINE'S MIRACLE
 |
| Typical path in remote areas |
We are asking you to do something as you
read this newsletter. First, we'll lay a
foundational background: Johnfred, John and Marty went to visit
Angeline, a 77-year-old destitute widow who lives very far back in the bush in
a remote, rocky, hilly area.
 |
| Johnfred assisting John on a steep, rocky path |
It is an
area that is extremely poverty ridden.
The people belonging to the church there are among the poorest of the
poor. Angeline's pastor, Charles, knows
her, but the rest of us had never met her nor knew anything about her. We found her living in a 6X10 single-room mud
hut; very small, but it seemed relatively new.
Charles
explained to us that her house had totally collapsed, and when they came to
know her they discovered she was living in the open air under a tree - sleeping
there at night. So that small church
pooled their resources, gave sacrificially, and built her the best they could
afford. It has one window and a door,
and she is dry and protected, unless there is a driving rain that blows under the roof.
 |
| One end of the house - you can see light at the other end! |
Now, for you to get a grasp of God's
brilliant love, power and provision we ask that you put yourself in Angeline's
place - maybe it's a bit of role playing - use your God-given imagination and
become Angeline for a few minutes.
You are sitting alone on your bed (that
goes from wall to wall and has a worn out 2-inch piece of foam for a mattress)
in your living-room/bedroom when your pastor and three strangers arrive. You know they are coming, but not why. You have been having trouble with your eyes
for a while, but about three weeks ago you went blind - you can see some light,
but nothing else. You hold your hands
out and ask that the people come and greet you because you can't see to go to
them. You tell them that God gave you a
dream that some white people were coming to see you, so you aren't surprised by
the visit of these people from a foreign land.
They prayed for you and your house and began to talk with you. You answer their many, personal questions and
talk to them about you life and how your three children died at young ages, and
how you became a member of RCC (Restoration Community Church) Korwenje, and how your cell group built you a house and gave you
clothes. You tell them that you are an
intercessor and love to pray, and that God gives you many dreams. Then something totally unexpected
happens They give you some tealeaves,
some milk, a kilo of sugar, a bag of salt, and 2 Kilos of maize flour. In addition,
they give you 3 bars of laundry/dishwashing soap, 2 boxes of matches, and a
metal scouring pad for your pots to clean the black off of them from the wood
fire. These are things are so useful and even luxurious! You never could have afforded to buy all of
these at once. Never! You are praising God and thanking these
strangers, when suddenly they tell you that they have a new mattress for your
bed.
 |
| Anjeline on new mattress! The bed fits from wall to wall! |
You can’t see it, but you ask to be
taken over so you can feel it and sit on it.
A new mattress! You never could
have dreamed that you would have a real mattress! And then – one final thing! They give you a lamp that is powered by the
sun. You will have light at night. You will no longer have to buy 5 shillings
worth of paraffin (kerosene) to put in your tin-can lamp. You are totally overwhelmed! You begin to shout, “If God can do this
for me He can heal my eyes”! All the while
you are crying tears of joy and praising God!
Before we left, she told us that for years
she had been a laughing stock to people.
But she said that when they find out what God had done in her life that day she would
no longer be a laughing stock.
As we stepped out of her house to leave,
she began singing praises to God at the top of her lungs. That little house acted like an echo chamber
or amplifier, and as we walked away, even at a distance we could hear her
singing. Everyone in the area could hear
her singing praises and worshiping her God!
Now here is part of the rest of the
story. Anjeline’s pastor told us that a
friend had taken her to a local, village clinic where they said she had severe
cataracts.
Just prior to our visit to Anjeline we
received a very generous donation from a supporter, for the purpose of building
several houses, but the person said that we could use some for another purpose
if a necessary situation arose. THIS WAS
THAT NECESSITY! What a mighty, awesome
God we serve.
 |
The is door at the left, and see how rain can come in at the top.
Here she is receiving some maize flour. |
We did not tell Anjeline that we have
resources to take care of cataracts. We
wanted to speak with Violet, Pastor Hesbone’s wife, who makes all the
arrangements for eye surgery. We went to
see her. She knew about Anjeline’s
situation from Pastor Charles and thought that she could be seen at the eye clinic
that we will be having in the main village at Kadawa on August 9. When we explained the remoteness of
Anjeline’s location and the severity of her blindness Violet told us of a
hospital about one hour away that specializes in cataract surgery. No appointment needed, just walk in, be
examined and if surgery is appropriate it will be done immediately. With a lot of phone calls, and coordination,
Violet contacted Sarah, a lovely young woman who makes herself available on a
moments notice, and Pastor Charles who, in turn, contacted people who could tell Anjeline
to be ready at 8:30 the next morning to go to the hospital. We called Robert, our driver and the next
morning he, Sarah and Pastor Charles went to collect Anjeline. Not an easy task leading a blind woman through
narrow, rocky, hilly paths to the car, which had to be parked quite a distance
away. Once again, a perfect stranger shows up at Anjeline's house, and then explains she has come to take her to see a doctor about her eyes. How could that possibly happen? Then Robert took Sarah and
Anjeline to the hospital. This was on a
Thursday morning – three days after we had seen Anjeline. On that very afternoon she had the first eye
done and Friday morning the second. On
Saturday morning Sarah returned to the hospital and walked up to a seeing
Anjeline. Her sight has been completely
restored! Hallelujah! Just try to imagine that – once again putting yourself in
Anjeline’s place. When Sarah went to pick her up at the hospital she asked Anjeline if she knew who she was. Anjeline responded that she didn't know. So Sarah explained and Anjeline was able to see her Good Samaritan for the first time. BTW, when Sarah was taking Anjeline back to her house, she told Sarah that the first thing she wanted to see there was her new mattress!
For you medical folks, we want to include
some post op instructions that you have most likely never given to anyone. As one of the most important post op instructions,
other than the frequent dosage of drops, Anjeline was instructed to stay away
from wood fires and smoke for two weeks; she mustn’t get smoke or ashes in her
eyes. That means that she can’t cook for herself, for all cooking is done on an
open wood fire. Now what? Anjeline couldn’t cook for herself, nor did
she have enough food. Culturally she
couldn’t ask people for food, but she could ask them to cook her food for her. From the widows farm we were able to send,
with Pastor Charles, four kilos of maize, several hands of bananas, and two kilos
of rice. We also sent some spices, and
more sugar and milk. Additionally, we provided money to make up the difference
for two weeks of food. Her cell group
(home group) will take turns cooking for her and tending to her needs while
recuperating. Wahoo!
Needless to say, the whole area around
where she lives is amazed to be seeing her walking around with no one leading her. They are likewise aware that all of these
wonderful thing s have been done for her by her church! Anjeline is giving God all of the credit and people
are wanting to know more about this Jesus and this God who makes these things
happen!
But now – here is the REST of the REST OF
THE STORY! All of the leaders of the RCC
churches decide who amongst the churches is in the most need of a new
house. Then they make a list and give to
us. We received that list a few days ago
and the second person on the list for a new house is Anjeline! Because of that generous benefactor we can
build 10 houses for desperately needy women. Anjeline will have a reasonable
sized house in which to live, and her 6x10 current dwelling will become her
kitchen! She doesn't know that yet! Once again - put yourself in her place. Just think of the impact that
will have on the area!
We couldn't go see Anjeline after the surgery, so we have no new photo. When we get one we will post it.
 |
| Anjeline before surgery! |
For many folks in the villages Sunday is the only time they can all get together, to have meetings of various committees, teams, etc. We are talking several hours of Bible study, church and meetings. Sundays can be wonderful, and sometimes tiring days. Arriving at 10 and leaving at 2 is not uncommon. When we visit other churches to minister can leave there at 5 or 6 o'clock in the evening after having the Sunday service and then gathering for a meal, ministry to church staff and general fellowship.
