Last Sunday, after leaving the baby home with Ruby, the three of us went to pick up some supplies. Ruby had been throwing up more and more and I noticed her fontanel was now puffy {as compared with sunken}. She also seemed to have a fever. I decided we better go have her checked.
They did some blood work and felt that it was meningitis and put an IV port in, which we would need to come and get IV meds put in each day.
While there a young woman came around. She was clearly an in-patient at this little hospital. She just kind of stood and stared. Before long the nursing staff scooted her out. Ruby was crying and so I wasn’t paying a lot of attention.
When we were back another day for Ruby’s meds to be put in the port, the young woman appeared again. This time she came right to me and just stood in front of me, not even two feet from me. She looked to be in her late teens or early twenties. She is really just bones. She probably weighs 50 lbs. Emma and I guessed that she is probably dying.
She was expressionless. Her eyes looked empty. Just bones with skin covering them. Her eyes completely sunken. But here she stood in front of me.
I said, “Hi, what’s your name?” She said her name. It is a name I am very familiar with. I said, “Do you know what your name means?” She said she did not. I told her that her name is from the Spanish and it means ‘beautiful’. I said, “Did you know that God thinks you are beautiful too?” I asked her if I could pray for her.
She nodded.
I began to pray aloud. I asked the Lord to reveal to her just how beautiful she is to Him, I asked Him to wrap His arms around her and allow her to feel His love and I asked Him to heal her.
She turned and shuffled away.
Emma’s and my heart broke for her. We knew nothing about her, but you know how the Lord just does that?
Giving us a glimpse of her need for love and His deep love for her.
We went back to the guest house and I couldn’t sleep. Ruby was very sick and restless. And this young woman was on my mind. I prayed and prayed that the Lord would allow the young woman to live through the night. The Lord had given me an idea. I prayed that He would direct me to find what I needed easily.
The next day we had to take papers to the Embassy early and so we left the guest house at 6:45am. After delivering the papers to the Embassy, I was walking back to our car and there, across the street from the Embassy I could see a store. In fact it’s called “The Embassy Supermarket” and right out front I saw exactly what I needed – flowers!
I asked our driver if we could stop at the store. Outside was a little stand with buckets of flowers. There was even a beautiful bunch of red roses! I was so tickled! They had a vase and I paid a sweet Ugandan woman to make a huge fancy purple bow {my favorite color!}, which she did with ease and tied to the vase.
We then drove to the little hospital. I asked if I could go back and see this young woman. So Emma, Ruby and I went to her room with our flowers in hand.
When I got there she was sitting on the edge of her bed. I called to her. “Hello ______, do you remember us? Can we come in?” She nodded. I showed her the vase filled with the huge bunch of red roses. I told her how I had been up most of the night and I had prayed a lot for her and how I wanted her to know how much the Lord loves her.
I had been praying and knew what the Lord wanted me to say. I asked her if she had ever asked Jesus to come in to her heart. She had not. I slowly and simply laid out the plan of salvation. I explained how the flowers were a gift to her. But the flowers were not really hers until she chose to receive them. She could leave them outside her room and see them, but not until she opened up her hands and accepted them would they truly be hers. I told her how she couldn’t do anything to get them. They were free. Just for her. But they were not hers until she opened up her hands and received them.
The same way God offers us His son. Free. We just have to ask Him to forgive us for our sin and then receive His free gift.
She began to share about her childhood. Immediately the Lord revealed to me something from when she was very young. I spoke to her about that. How God’s heart was grieved at all that she had had to endure in her young life. And how desperately He wanted her to accept His free gift of His son’s payment on the cross.
After much talking and sharing back and forth I asked her if she would like to invite Jesus to come into her heart. She said she would! Right there, this precious dying young woman, prayed to receive Christ as her Lord and Savior. Our hearts were overflowing with joy!! The difference in her seemed almost immediate! I promised we would come back to see her and I gave her my phone number.
My heart was leaping with joy! I could not wait to tell Dw and I could not wait for my mom to hear. My mom is one who will share Christ with everyone she meets. She has led people to Christ in parking lots, stores, on park benches. She has been such a good example to me!
What I didn’t mention was that in the midst of me sharing Christ with her, all of a sudden, a woman appeared next to me. She was from India. I was kind of stunned that she was standing there so close to me. I thought maybe she had overheard me softly talking and was coming to scold me! But she said, “I can hear you talking, my husband is in the room next door, and what you are saying is beautiful.” I said, “Do you know Jesus Christ as your Savior?” She said, “I do! He is my everything!! I could not live without Him.” And she shared briefly how her young husband had been diagnosed with cancer. I asked if she would mind if when I was finished talking with our new friend, if I could come over and pray with her husband. She happily agreed.
Anyway, after spending time with the young woman, I talked to the doctor. It’s true. She’s dying. She has refused to take medicine in order to die quickly. The doctor asked if I could come and talk to her more. I said I had already told her I would be back!
We then went next door. I met the kind husband of the other woman. I had my oil with me and I asked if I could pray and anoint him with oil? He was so eager! I laid hands on him, anointing him with oil and asked God to heal him. We exchanged emails addresses and I took a picture of his wife and Emma, Ruby and I. She was just so sweet. They live in Uganda, where her husband has a very important job in a major company here. She invited us to come to their home. She said she would send her driver for us!
We may do that some day.
When I went out to the nurses station, the nurses asked me, “Did _____ talk to you?” I said, “She talked a lot!” They said, “She never speaks. Not a word.” I assured them that she had indeed spoken – a lot! Emma and I could not believe that they said she never speaks.
She had talked and talked to us!
Yesterday my phone rang. It was her. I could not believe the sound of her voice. I asked her if she had thought much of asking Jesus into her heart since we had been there? She said she has thought a lot about it. Her voice sounded so perky! Hardly the same girl. I asked if she had talked to the doctor. She said she told him that she wanted to take her medicine now! She asked if she could speak to Emma. After Emma talked to her, Emma agreed – we could not believe the life in her voice!
Who would have guessed that part of the Master’s plan was to have our paths intersect at a little hospital in Uganda with a dying young woman who desperately needed Jesus? Who would have dreamed it? You know sweet friends, I am more than ready to be home. YET, God has each of us exactly where He wants us, if we are willing. If He needs me here to share Christ with a dying woman here in Uganda, then I happily rejoice. What a privilege! All of heaven dances! And one day, if you know Jesus Christ as your Savior, you too, will meet this young woman on the other side of eternity, and you can hug her and tell her that you remembered hearing her story, and even perhaps that you prayed for her {hint-hint}……
How so beautiful, it is all worth it! Yes I will pray for her that she will have Christ's living water of joy that will never stop bubbling inside her, that she may know Christ's love inside her, guiding her, always 🙂
Es un milagro maravilloso. Ojalá la chica quiera vivir.
Un beso
BEAUTIFUL!
Praying for Beautiful.
All Praise to Jesus!
I just lifted her up in prayer and will continue. 🙂
This post just made my heart leap with joy! One more soul won for the Lord! This is such a beautiful story! Thank you for sharing. You are such a blessing to many and God I'm sure is well pleased! I can almost hear the Angels rejoicing with us!
xoxox
Denise in Mi.
My heart leaped after reading your post. I can almost hear the Angels rejoicing in Heaven! Thank you for being such a blessing and an inspiration to so many around the world!
Love Denise
Beautiful, just beautiful!
AMAZING! I love reading your blog and all that god is doing through you in Uganda! Blessings.
Julie
Thank you for being exactly where God wanted you to be even though it keeps you away from most of your family. I can't imagine how hard it is. I so glad that you are able to see in this life how your sacrifice and obedience is worth with. I hope it makes the time apart a little easier. Praying for "beautiful" lady and you all.
Thank you, thank you for being His hands and feet and such a beautiful role model for those of us coming up behind you!
I love reading your stories. So inspirational. I will pray for the young girl. Thank you for sharing this.
Beautiful story Linny. Certainly all of Heaven rejoices at this precious young women coming to Christ.
Love to you,
janet and gang
thank you for sharing the story. Dw mentioned something and I smiled and wondered when you would tell the story. Beautiful and will pray for you all. xxx
I will pray for her!
WOW..simply beautiful!!!! I truly believe that this is how we are to walk out each day…simply being open to who he places in our path. Most of the time we are so busy rushing here and there and we don't even notice those around us that the Lord is placing in our path….those who need a smile, a helping hand, a word of encouragement or someone to pray with them. Thank You for your example!!!!
What a beautiful thing to have happen. What a privilege to be used as a tool of God – thanks for sharing it, Linny! How things might be different if all believers (myself included) were available, and ready, and meet for the Master's use.
I hope your sweet Ruby feels better soon.
What a wonderful story! I can't wait to meet her someday 🙂
Wow, Linny. You truly are being His hands and feet! How blessed that sweet, dying woman must feel this day, that you have opened her eyes to LIFE in Jesus 🙂
You rock!!
You know I love this story. Mainly because it plays out so clearly in my minds eye. Thanks for letting me witness. 🙂 Hugs.
Aw, the work of the Lord is never done and there is always an opportunity to share it, like you did, Linny. God bless you as you wait patiently to come home. Praying for Ruby Grace that she will get well soon and for the dear girl you met. Hugs thanks for sharing!
Beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing those stories.
Blessings,
Amy
What a precious post! You are such an encouragement and an inspiration to me. Thank you for always being available to the Lord's leading. Thank you for sharing this amazing story.
Love you!
what a sweet story and plan God had in store for all of you.
Linny, thank you so so much for your sweet sweet message of how the Lord used you!! It gives me goosebumps reading it and just make my heart smile. I love your love for the little treasures of the world and through that how God is using you to change live, little and big, for eternity 🙂 Love you, and praying for you!
What a sweet, sweet story of redemption. Praise the Lord for His newly adopted child. So thankful that you're being willing to be used of God even when your heart longs for your family back in the US. Praying for this young woman, and that Ruby Grace is well enough to come home very soon.
amazing God story!
That is such a beautiful example of what God will do with willing people. I often use the gift example in witnessing and should have guessed you did too, sister. You are such a good example of 'beautiful feet' . Praying Fox's continued blessings on you and Emma. Love you much, Martha.
I read your blog often. You heart is filled with a love that I don't often see. You're love is the love Jesus spoke about. As a fellow Jesus-lover, I teared up as I read this. Amazing.
I one day hoep to adopt a child. Though I have a son of my "own" I foten ask the Lord, "where is my baby"? I haven't heard His answer yet, but I'll never stop listening for it.
I sit hear shaking my head with a smile on my face! We serve an AMAZING God!!! Who knows exactly WHERE we need to be at every moment of our lives. I am so THANKFUL that He allows us to be a small part of His master plan!! Keep pressing on sweet friend!! I wish I was still there to walk beside you!!
Diana
wow! What an awesome and gorgeous story Liddy! You are such a wonderful ambassador!
Praying for this young woman! And the other couple. And Ruby Grace and Sarah. and you and Emma. And your family back home. And Karl and Autumn. And Tylor and Sarah. You sure keep me busy. 🙂
Grateful to God that He brought you this young woman. God is so good, so kind.
Speechless! God whispered to your heart, you listend and actioned…and today another sweet sister will someday be in heaven. Blessings on you, Emma and precious Ruby.
This is truly the Gospel lived out. Thank you for your willingness and obedience Linny and Emma. My heart leaps for joy with you as we see the Father weave every moment in Uganda for his glory. He is so pleased with you and loves you so. I will be praying. Thank you for sharing. Love L Florida
What a precious story this is 🙂
That was beautiful Linny! If you come across her again, please let her know that someone in Washington State is praying for her!
What a beautiful story! Praying for her!
Blessings,
Julie
Oh how good is God! I will be praying for this young woman and also the man you met. Janet
thanks for sharing this! my heart has been burdened for you that you have had to be away from your family so long, and yet here is just one example of the eternal purposes God has for you right where you are. i pray the Lord would open my eyes more every day to see what He is doing right here, right now. all glory to God…
haley in florida
I will definitely Pray for her. Maybe part of the ministering angels was the lady with the red rose. Kind of a sneak peak from god of your journey to come!
WOW! Clearly your obedience is showing God's plan that YOU are THERE for such a time as this to minister to HER! Praying for her! And thank you for sharing the challenge to sieze each and every nudge that the Spirit gives to LOVE!
Nice family 😉 Congrats!
So sorry for your delays, but rejoicing with you that the Lord is using your time in such a way… and so glad that you and Emma have this opportunity together.
🙂 🙂 🙂
beautiful! praise God 😀
this made me sob xxx