Running in foreign countries is one of my favorite adventures. It is a great way to explore a new place, even though I have a complete lack of direction and get so easily lost. My first day running in Nepal with my teammate, Kate, we got lost. We found ourselves running aimlessly up and down streets trying to find something familiar. We eventually realized that we were running in circles and so we stopped to ask for directions. We had passed by a young woman about our age a couple times and it seemed as if she wanted to talk with us and so we asked her for help. She was quick to start a conversation with us. We found out she was in Kathmandu to care for her younger sister who has been suffering from a lung infection for the past 7 months. She asked if we could be friends and if we would be willing to visit her and her sister someday soon. Since that interaction I have had the growing sense that my whole reason for being in Nepal is for her.
A couple days ago we finally got the chance to visit her. She welcomed us into her home for tea. It was such a great time sitting and talking with her and hearing more about her story. A friendship was quickly established. She kept bringing up questions about our God. She had heard that He had been killed on a cross and wanted to know why. It was obvious that she had been longing to hear more about God.
Today we heard from her again. She asked if we could pray to our Lord Jesus for her sister. We made our way over to her house so that we could pray over her in person. It was there that I met Urmula, the 24 year old sister. I could tell that at one point she was a healthy, beautiful young woman, but now she is too sick to get out of bed. She can hardly eat and so her body has wasted away to practically nothing. Her body is in so much pain that she cannot sleep. On bad days she needs oxygen support. Her words sounded more like gasps for air.
We gathered around her bed and prayed. We prayed for healing. We prayed that God would breathe life into her damaged, infected lungs and that she would be restored to full health. We prayed that in her time of sickness that she would feel God’s presence, and be comforted in knowing that He has His loving arms wrapped around her. As we prayed, I felt God in that room. His presence was strong. I know without a doubt that His hand is at work in a big way.
I invite all of you to join in on this story by praying for Urmula and her illness, as well as Promula, the older sister who has been so strong in caring for and keeping hope for her sister even though her tears today showed that she is overwhelmed. I know the power of prayer and how it can bring a good ending to this story.
Thank you for praying!
