As we began the trek down the mountain after spending a time of fellowship with a beautiful, young sister in Christ, our contact told us that we were going to walk down the mountain a different way so that we could stop and pray for an elderly lady. All we were told was that she was the only believer in her family and has been unable to attend church recently because of her inability to walk down the mountain. As we arrived at the five foot high house, we waited patiently outside until we were told to enter. One by one, we ducked our heads and entered through the very small doorway. What our eyes saw next, lead to broken and burdened hearts.
There, along the wall of the dirt floor on a simple straw mat, laid a women around the age of seventy. She laid still. Almost lifeless. She was unable to talk, other than the occasional murmur that came from her mouth when asked a question. She could barely keep her eyes open and lied motionless under a blanket that covered all but her face and hands. Our contact peeled a small banana and placed it in her hand. For what seemed like minutes, she laid still with the banana in hand. When she finally moved her arm enough for the banana to reach her mouth, all she could do was touch her lips with the end of the banana. Unable to even take a bite, she soon gave up.
As we all watched, our hearts broke. We asked if there was anyone there to care for her and found out that she had a son who lived close by, but only sometimes cared for her. Our contact found the son, and he joined us for a few brief minutes but all he could focus on was whether or not the woman had a pulse. He did not seem to have a desire to help out and provide for his sick mother. We spent a while in prayer for this lady before being told it was time to journey the rest of the way down the mountain.
Fast forward with me two days …
Saturday morning I was sitting in the church building waiting for the service to begin. Within a few minutes and before my eyes, an older lady walked into the room who looked very similar to the lady we prayed for just the other day. A teammate and I caught each other’s eyes and began wondering the same question. “Is this the same older lady that we prayed for two days ago, who once laid almost lifeless on the floor mat?” As the lady proceeded toward the wall, she stopped just after passing by where I was sitting and sat down. Reaching for my hands, I held them out for her and as we gripped each other’s hands and looked each other in the eyes, she began talking to me in the Nepalese language. Though I did not understand what she was saying, I was certain it was indeed the same lady. But there was a drastic difference. This time as I looked her in the eyes, I saw strength. I saw beauty. I saw LIFE. I got to experience God’s power at work in an incredible way!
