This blog continues
from a previous blog titled, “What am I here for?” from May 31, 2009. Please
read it first before reading this one to understand what has preceded this
story.
One woman named Elena. One beautiful woman with huge brown
eyes and a beaming smile. One broken woman, holding onto hope by a thread attached
to the meager coins placed in her palms by strangers who remain nameless and
faceless to her. One unforgettable woman who left an imprint, as unique as her
fingerprint, upon my heart.
It was this imprint
that drove me to continue to seek her out whenever I went running or attempted
any form of street evangelism. In the first week after meeting her, I had no
luck finding her, until one night when I went running and practically stumbled
upon her as I rounded a corner. In complete elation, I called her name and
reminded her of my name. I prayed for her again, hugged her and continued on my
run. About a week later, I found her again and after praying for her and
hugging her, I walked to the Global Café where our team has been working this
month in hopes that a Croatian would be there so I could communicate with
Elena. Luckily, I found two Croatian friends hanging out and they readily
agreed to come with me to talk to Elena. What I found out about her brought me
to a place of desperation and heaviness as I struggled to determine how I could
help her.
Elena has a hunched back because she broke her leg and used
an umbrella as a cane. She lives in a flat with her sister. About a month ago,
it caught on fire so she lives in a flat that is partially in cinders. She has
no job so she begs every night starting around 7pm and staying out until 11pm.
She has no other family and no prospects for hope.
I talked with her and told her that God loves her and He
will provide for her in every possible way. I also told her that I believe God
will heal her back and that I will return as often as I can to pray over her.
Since that night, I have been able to see her two or three
times. Each time I wonder if she sees me as the crazy girl that interrupts her
possible success in begging. Still, I continue to seek her out. Tonight, I went running and I saw her begging at
the same corner. I approached her and this time, her face lit up as she tried
to communicate with me. She pointed to her back and then to me. I asked, “Do
you want me to pray more?” Then, she smiled and beamed as she straightened herself
at least 2 inches to show me that her back is getting better! I raised my hands
in the air and shouted, “Praise the Lord!” She beamed even more and then, just
as I had every other time, I placed my hand on her back, prayed for her as she radiated hope for the first time that I had seen, hugged her and continued
on my run. As I ran on, I realized that while she walks out this healing, God
truly is healing her heart and renewing her as she is beginning to believe that God can really do the
impossible and He will take care of her. Therein lies the true miracle.
