Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Before they call, I will answer (Isaiah 65:24)


























(I took this picture near my house during a brisk-walk session)


Dear Friends,

A very blessed and joyous new year to you!

Thanks for stopping by my combined Word-Filled Wednesday and Thankful Thursday post. This post was originally posted on Monday.

♥ Thank God for seeing us through another year of walking with Him and serving Him. May God grant us a closer walk with Him and a deeper love and devotion to Him.

♥ Thank God for granting me a very refreshing and fruitful weekend and Lord's day of worship, fellowship and service. Trust you too have had a very blessed and restful weekend!

♥ Thank God for preserving and restoring the health of Madam Chan. I shared about a wonderful reunion with her recently after 10 years interval. Madam Chan is 92 years old and came to know the Lord more than 10 years ago and I was then given the privilege to minister to her. Thank God that she was baptised recently on 7 December 2008.

Madam Chan was very sick last week and I thought the Lord might take her home. Thank God for restoring her health and she is better now. She is continuing to trust in the Lord and waiting upon Him to call her home to Himself. She is full of thanfkulness to our Lord despite her bodily afflictions. She is a wonderful encouragement to me and my brethren.

♥ Thank God for providing my family, church brethren and blogging friends who continue to care and encourage me in many ways.

♥ Thank God He knows our every need and will provide for us. A friend and brother-in-Christ send me this very very encouraging story of God knowing our needs and providing for us even before we ask Him. May this encouraging story encourages our heart in this new year as we walk with our Lord Jesus Christ and serve Him, trusting in His love and mercies that He will provide for all our needs spiritually and physically.


Isaiah 65:24 "Before they call, I will answer"

This story was written by a doctor who worked in South Africa

One night 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 crying two-year-old daughter. We would have difficulty keeping the baby alive, as we had no incubator (we had no electricity to run an incubator).

We also had no special feeding facilities. Although we lived on the equator, nights were often chilly with treacherous drafts. One student midwife went for the box we had for such babies and the cotton wool that the baby would be wrapped in.

Another went to stoke up the fire and fill a hot water bottle. She came back shortly in distress to tell me that in filling the bottle, it had burst (rubber perishes easily in tropical climates). "And it is our last hot water bottle!" she exclaimed. As in the West, it is no good crying over spilled milk so in Central Africa it might be considered no good crying over burst water bottles They do not grow on trees, and there are no drugstores down forest pathways.

"All right," I said, "put the baby as near the fire as you safely can, and sleep between the baby and the door to keep it free from drafts. Your job is to keep the baby warm."

The following noon, as I did most days, I went to have prayers with any of the orphanage children who chose to gather with me. I gave the youngsters various suggestions of things to pray about and told them about the tiny baby. I explained our problem about keeping the baby warm enough, mentioning the hot water bottle, and that the baby could so easily die if it got chills. I also told them of the two-year-old sister, crying because her mother had died

During prayer time, one ten-year old girl, 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 be dead, so please send it this afternoon."

While I gasped inwardly at the audacity of the prayer, she added, "And while You are about it, would You please send a dolly for the little girl so she'll know You really love her?"

As often with children's prayers, I was put on the spot. Could I honestly say,"Amen". I just did not believe that God could do this. Oh, yes, I know that He can do everything, the Bible says so. But there are limits, aren't there? The only way God could answer this particular prayer would be by sending me a parcel from homeland. I had been in Africa for almost four years at that time, and I had never, ever received a parcel from home. Anyway, if anyone did send me a parcel, who would put in a hot water bottle? I lived on the equator!

Halfway through the afternoon, while I was teaching in the nurses' training school, a message was sent that there was a car at my front door.

By the time I reached home, the car had gone, but there, on the veranda, was a large twenty-two pound parcel. I felt tears pricking my eyes. I could not open the parcel alone, so I sent for the orphanage children.

Together we pulled off the string, carefully undoing each knot. We folded the paper, taking care not to tear it unduly. Excitement was mounting. Some thirty or forty pairs of eyes were focused on the large cardboard box. From the top, I lifted out brightly colored, knitted jerseys. Eyes sparkled as I gave them out. Then there were the knitted bandages for the leprosy patients, and the children looked a little bored. Then came a box of mixed raisins and sultanas - that would make a batch of buns for the weekend Then, as I put my hand in again, I felt the.....could it really be? I grasped it and pulled it out - yes, a brand-new, rubber hot water bottle. I cried. I had not asked God to send it; I had not truly believed that He could. Ruth was in the front row of the children. She rushed forward, crying out, "If God has sent the bottle, He must have sent the dolly too!"

Rummaging down to the bottom of the box, she pulled out the small, beautifully dressed dolly. Her eyes shone! She had never doubted!

Looking up at me, she asked: "Can I go over with you and give this dolly to that little girl, so she'll know that Jesus really loves her?"

That parcel had been on the way for five whole months. Packed up by my former Sunday school class, whose leader had heard and obeyed God's prompting to send a hot water bottle, even to the equator. And one of the girls had put in a dolly for an African child - five months before, in answer to the believing prayer of a ten-year-old to bring it "that afternoon."

"Before they call, I will answer" (Isaiah 65:24)


















(My friend, AR, took this picture at Changi Airport, Singapore)

Thanks for stopping by. Take care and have a great week ahead!

For more Word-Filled Wednesday participants, do visit Amy.

For more participants of Thankful Thursday, do visit Iris.

45 comments:

Anonymous said...

I read this story a few weeks ago and also found it really inspiring.

Isn't it great to know that God knows our needs LONG before they even become our needs? I find that amazing!!!

It's awesome to serve a God who loves us so much that He just wants the best for us.

Hope you have a wonderful week, Nancie, and that God shows up in your life in unwxpected ways!!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Sis,
What a beautiful story of faith and in believing even in the midst of the most desperate circumstnaces. Thanks for sharing this story with us.

Hugz Lorie

Anonymous said...

Such a wonderful story! Faith... believing in what we pray about.... God is so good! Thank you so much for this inspiring story.
Blessings....

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful story! I hadn't read this one before. Thank you for sharing it with us.

Anonymous said...

What an amazing story!! Thank you so much for sharing it. I'm inspired.

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful story.God always meets our needs.God Bless You and have a great day.

Rebecca said...

Nancy, so encouraging to me. I think that was for me. I have a request I am afraid to even ask because it doesn't seem possible. And to know God has our answer before we call on Him....amazing.

Anonymous said...

So glad you are back Nancie! Love the two photos and your list of praises...our God is so good!

That story was beautiful.

Hope you have a wonderful day!!

Anonymous said...

Oh I've always loved that verse. I didn't get a chance to read your whole post as I'm off to work. I will have to come back and finish reading it.

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year Nancie!

I've missed you...

What a beautiful story and a great verse and picture.

Hope you have a great day today♥

Anonymous said...

Good morning Nancie,
A very Happy New Year to you in your walk with the Lord. Our God is good to us and we have so much to be thankful for...blessings...

Anonymous said...

What an incredible post today. Thank you for the blessing.

Anonymous said...

Thank you Nancie for all the wonderful things and the story you've shared today. Have a blessed WFW!

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful story and pictures. Loved the Scripture, too. Our God is so faithful and I'm so encouraged by your post! Happy WFW!

Anonymous said...

Great job. As someone who has just been diagnosed with bipolar type II it's great to find your blog.

Also, I'm having a great Inspiration Giveaway on my Devotional Days blog, so check it out!

Anonymous said...

It's hard to type as I'm tearing up over this story. Our Heavenly Father truly loves us.

I can never get enough of these miracles of our Father. Well, to me they are miracles, to Him....a simple matter that I'm sure puts a smile on His face.

Can you imagine the difference in people's lives if these events were reported when they happened. A continual confirmation to believers and a tug at the soul of the unbelievers.

Many thanks for your inspirational posts, my friend.

Lots of love and hugs

Anonymous said...

Blessings & happy blessed New Year to you...Nancie...Awesome to see you posting and such a beautiful combination of WFW & TT & an example of great FAITH in the story & in Madam Chan! As usual your talent in beautiful photography shines with the perfect verses in both! I pray that this New Year finds you well & walking in His truth as you call on Him! May He show you great & mighty things & answer your deepest prayers even before you call or ask Him! I so appreciate your thankful heart always before Him humbly & reaching out as you learn to manage your time, health and work! May your own family come to see Jesus & accept His new life this New Year!

I pray that your New Year is very blessed & joyous & FILLED with God's Word & JESUS! Thank you for being my friend!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful! Praise God that He continues to show us the things that we know not!

Happy WFW!

Anonymous said...

Nancie,

Beautiful. Wishing you a blessed new year with much joy and happiness.

Happy WFW!

Cheryl

Anonymous said...

hi Nancie! A great combination! Happy WFW! I'm jealous, it's nothing but white and cold here! lol

Anonymous said...

I am keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. I love you my friend.

Anonymous said...

Hi Nancie,

Great TT post for the new year. Have missed you. So glad to get over for a visit.

I love this story you shared. Our Lord is amazing... amazing.

Happy TT.

Anonymous said...

Nancie,

Oh the faith of a child. They have no reason to doubt. The simply believe!

What a precious story that truly blessed me tonight! Especially with Scott leaving for Africa (Ethiopia on Saturday) to bring home our newest son.

Love and hugs - Jill

Anonymous said...

I love your pictures! They look so peaceful. Thanks for sharing! Happy TT~

Anonymous said...

Yes, it is wo wonderful the ways in which the Lord provides. Happy Thankful Thursday, Nancie!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful post...God is so good!

Happy TT!

Anonymous said...

i've read that story before but when i read it again, i was just so encouraged that truly, God knows our needs even before we even need them or ask for them.

thank you for sharing this with us. God bless you dear. (((HUGS))) ♥

Anonymous said...

I am so glad Madam Chan is doing better. People of here generation are treasurers. I enjoyed your tt post.

Anonymous said...

tear-jerker... heart-warming. i missed joining the TT. thanks for posting that lovely story. i love your choice verse "Before they call, I will answer" (Isaiah 65:24. this is my testimony of God's faithfulness last year.

by the way, if you have time, kindly visit my TT post. i missed you. thanks for being there "virtually" and "spiritually" when i needed someone to intercede. God bless you immensely, sister in faith.:$

Anonymous said...

Hi Sister,

I was so thrilled to read about your reunion with your friend a few weeks ago. God is so good to us.

I pray God blesses you today and always.

Beth

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing that touching story. I pray you have a wonderful Thursday.

Anonymous said...

Hi Nancie! I missed TT for quite sometime and it feels good to be back! missed reading some posts from you too. happy new year and MAy the Lord keeps on blessing you as you continue to be a blessing to others!

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful scripture :)

Anonymous said...

I absolutely LOVE the verse at the top of this post - Jeremiah 33:3. I'm going to write that one down on an index card!

Hope you have a great week!
Karen

Anonymous said...

I've read this story before and it gives me goose bumps! Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful!

Anonymous said...

I have read that story before and find it to be so beautiful and inspiring. Thanks for sharing it and for reminding me of all there is to be thankful for :)

Anonymous said...

Hi Nancie, God is glorified in your post. Thanks for encouraging us and reminding us of the things to be thankful. :)

Anonymous said...

his is a wonderful story Nancie! I've heard it before but it still is so powerful. I love that scripture from Isaiah.

Rich blessings to you! I hope you are having a great beginning to the new year.

Grace said...

Great post, Nancie. God bless your heart. It has been a while since I last visit here. I have a lot of reading to cope up with your blog... :)

CommittedToChrist said...

Wow! Great testimony! God is faithful, thank you for sharing. My life has been impacted!

Casdok said...

Wonderful post. Beautiful story.

About Nancy said...

What a beautiful story of God's provision. He truly cares for our every need.
Blessings!

Anonymous said...

Blogwalking...nice blog there, plenty of interesting topics. congratz! please feel free to visit my blog also. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed looking at your blog!! You have an amazing and powerful testimony~! God bless!!!