Flora

Let me tell you about sweet Flora. She’s a shy one, always dressed in her plaid pink dress with blue flowers on it. I met her one of the first days here and noticed something different about her. I give her a cheesy smile when ever we make eye contact and she looks away with a shy grin. She started showing up at every house we visit, following us from house to house staying close to me. Yesterday was a day God showed me her in a different light. We started out at the first house, I couldn’t take my eyes off of her. She’s not like the others. She isn’t pushy, she keeps her distance, but loves the attention I give her from a distance. We finish at the first house and walk towards house number two. She runs up to me and walks close by my side. I stick my hand out, she places her hand in mine and doesn’t let go, no matter what the terrain we have to walk across looks like. The next house she sits with the other children, I continue to give her funny looks, she shyly responds with an adorable smile, head down. It’s time to pray for healing, I’m drawn to the woman who has hip pain. I stand to pray and Flora is not far. I place my hands on the woman’s hips and start to pray. Something I learned at training camp is that when you’re praying for healing you keep your eyes open. I couldn’t help but notice Flora watching me so I motioned for her hand and placed it on the hurting hip. Continuing on with my prayer, I couldn’t help but notice the gentle touch Flora had, like she understood the lady was in pain and didn’t want to cause any harm. I placed my hand over hers and continued praying until we said AMEN. An immediate jump and smile from the lady who formerly had hip pain. She took a stroll and confirmed, no more hip pain. She even gave us her form of a happy dance. All I could think about is how Flora was a part of it, all while I hear God whisper, “Have faith like a child.” Remember, I don’t really know anything about Flora except for the outfit she wears every day I see her. Darron suggested that since the children were following us around that we should get them in a group and pray for them all, my hands wouldn’t leave Flora…tickling her neck or holding her hands. I start by thanking God for Flora, for the woman he will make her and tears start flowing down my face. If you know me at all this isn’t all that surprising, but I had no idea why I was crying. I couldn’t help but notice the cuts she has all over her body, a scrape on her face, scabs on her arms, and back. I don’t know what she’s gone through, what the cuts and scars are from but I know God gave me his heart for her when I was praying over her. He didn’t give me specifics but he did tell me to love her well while I’m here in Dzoole Village.