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Answered Prayers in Africa
Sun., Oct. 22. 2006 1:48am EDT
This is a very cool story from a few months ago which we first read in the bulletin at J.'s church. We double checked it on truthorfiction.com, and this story is indeed true. We hope it encourages you:
The following was written by Helen Roseveare, an English doctor/missionary practicing in Zaire, Africa:
I had worked hard to help a mother in the labor ward, but in spite of all we could do, she died leaving us with a tiny premature baby and a 2-year-old daughter. We would have a hard time keeping the baby alive, as we had no electricity for an incubator. Although we live in the tropics, nights can be chilly and drafty. A student midwife went to fill a hot water bottle to keep the baby warm, but returned in distress reporting that the last hot water bottle had burst, as rubber deteriorates quickly in tropical climates.
The following noon, as usual, I went to have prayer with the orphanage children. I told them about the tiny baby and explained the dilemma of keeping the baby warm since the last hot water bottle has burst. I also asked for prayer for the 2-year-old sister crying for her mama.
During prayer time, 10-year-old Ruth prayed with the usual blunt conciseness of our African children. "Please God," she prayed, "send us a water bottle. It'll be no good tomorrow God, as the baby will die, so please send it this afternoon. And while You are about it, would You please send a dolly for the little girl so she'll know You really love her?" I gasped inwardly at the audacity of her prayer. Oh, I know that He can do everything, but there are limits.
That afternoon, I was notified that a large parcel had been delivered. I had been in Africa for almost four years and had never received a package from home. I sent for the orphanage children to help me unpack the contents. First there were brightly colored knit jerseys which I distributed, then knitted bandages for the leprosy patients. My hand reached in once again and I gasped as I pulled out a brand-new shiny red hot water bottle.
Ruth rushed forward and cried out, "If God has sent the bottle, He must have sent the dolly too!" Rummaging through the packing material, she pulled out a small, beautifully dressed dolly. Her eyes shone! Of course, she had never doubted. That parcel, which had been packed up by my former Sunday school class, had been on its way for five months. The teacher had no idea why she had included a hot water bottle for a hospital in the tropics or why there was just one dolly -- in answer to the believing prayer of a 10-year-old.
"Before they call, I will answer." (Isaiah 65:24)
Editor's note: Remember: if God can do such things in another believer's life, He can do them in your life as well!
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