Sha's Sister

"Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn."

Romans 12:15

Four weeks ago, "Sha," the woman who cleans our house, brought her youngest (of 6) sisters along with her to help clean. She explained how her sister had been married for six months and already pregnant with her first baby. The excitement that initially soared through me was quickly halted when she went on to say that her sister was only 14, and was basically a baby herself, even loosing one of her baby teeth just days before. Her family is very poor and therefore when their daughters, seven in all, come "of age" they marry them off. The mom was married at the age of 12, Sha the age of 14, and now the youngest at the age of 14 as well. 

With marriage comes responsibility, which we all know. Once a woman who's poor gets married she usually starts working, such as cleaning homes, helping on construction sights, etc. Sha's sister was no exception, even at the young age of 14. 

When they found out she was pregnant her family sent she and her husband from the village to live here in Garden City under her sister's supervision. The medical doctors and hospitals are better here than where her family is from, and work is as well.

Two or three different days I (and Neal one day) had the opportunity to pray with Sha's sister's for her healing and protection over the baby because she wasn't feeling good. Obviously, being a mom of three I understand the pains that periodically come with pregnancy, so I've been eager to pray for her. 

Two days ago when Sha and her sister arrived they explained all the pains her sister had been having on her sides and in her stomach. They showed me the pills a doctor had given her, which they weren't happy with because they hadn't made her feel better. I asked if the doctor knew she was pregnant and if the medicine was ok for the baby. Yes, yes madam was her response. (Although I knew they hadn't asked the doctor anything, just took what he gave.) However, they planned to go back to the same doctor who did her scan (ultrasound) to have him check her.

For whatever reason, when she mentioned returning to the same doctor who'd done her scan I had a bad feeling in my spirit. I felt like I should make sure to push for the baby's life to be protected. Then I also thought surely the doctor would plan to protect the baby, especially since she was six months pregnant. Neal and I prayed for her that she and the baby would be healed and ok. Before they left and I told her that I desired for her to feel better and the baby to be okay.

Norah playing with Sha

Every Sunday Sha has a holiday from cleaning our house. So, when Monday morning came and she arrived, she was alone. She seemed a little down cast and I asked if she was ok. She told me that her sister wasn't doing good and she was in the hospital because she'd had an abortion. "What?," I asked. "Who told her to do that?" She explained how they went to the doctor for him to check her and he told her that she wasn't doing too good and the baby wasn't either. He went on to say that there could be a problem with the baby's heart and she needed to have an abortion to help her life. He required payment in full before the procedure, which was around $400, which is a LOT of money for this family. So, they listened, and four different family members chipped in to pay, including Sha who used all the money she'd saved for her oldest sons schooling. Then at four o'clock yesterday she went in to have it done. 

So many emotions raged inside of me!! I stood there beside the sink where Sha was cleaning and couldn't help but just cry. A sadness and anger filled me at the same time. Sadness for the loss of this precious baby's life. Sadness for the decision made that couldn't be reversed. Sadness for the wound this will create inside Sha's sister. Sadness that her sister won't know the joy I know and the joy she was beginning to experience when she'd interact with Norah. Sadness because she doesn't yet know Jesus, so she doesn't have the comforter to walk with her through this. Sadness because you don't question doctors here, but just do whatever they say, even if it completely alters your life. 

Anger. Anger because doctors don't care. Anger because doctors don't value life and are quick to take it as a quick fix for a woman's pain. Anger because everyone just does what a doctor says without questioning. Anger because a baby's life had just been taken. Anger because Sha didn't stand up and help her 14 year old sister and say no to what the doctor suggested. Anger because I've heard the pain that abortion causes in a woman's heart and the years it takes, even strong believers, to process and seek healing in Christ, and still usually not forgiving themselves. Anger because of sin and depravity. I'm thankful that God will judge and bring justice! 

Sha told me that her sister cried and cried a lot. Then she asked me why I was crying because it wasn't my problem. I told her my heart hurt for the baby and her sister. I told her that next time there's a problem like that to come to me before she listens to some doctor. Come to me because we will pray in the name of Jesus and God has the power to heal her sister and the baby. We talked about the pain that comes during pregnancy, which is normal and sometimes can last the whole nine months. However, after the baby is born it's ok, so why this?

Then I went on to tell Sha that "God gives life and makes the baby inside the mom. God is also the one who can heal the baby. The doctor isn't God!" She agreed with this. I went on, "But, the doctor thinks he's god when he says to kill the baby, he's acting like god. But he's not God and they don't have to listen to what he says." 

After our conversation it was really somber. I asked Sha if I could go see her sister in the hospital before she was released and headed back to the village. Sha told me it was too far for me to go visit, but she'd let me talk to her on the phone if I wanted to. We talked and I told her I was sorry about her baby and I prayed for healing for her body and heart. I gave Sha the phone again and she told her I'd been crying and my heart hurt... 

Then I went into my room and wept. I felt quite responsible since I had the feeling in my spirit that the baby might be harmed. I felt like I was responsible in not helping to protect the baby's life because I didn't speak up more. I'm not sure why I didn't press it and tell her over and over again to make sure that no one harmed her baby. Neal embraced me and told me that it's not my fault. My heart carries these people and it's so heavy when their lives are heavy. 

Call them to Jesus Lord! 

Elijah got a Bunk Bed!

We had a crib for Elise and a toddler bed for Elijah before we left. It worked. Since we've returned, and now with another kid, we've needed a new bed. Elijah mentioned a few times how small his bed was and could we get him a big bed, and maybe a bunk bed, which is the ultimate. 

I started looking on OLX, which is basically craigslist of India. Praise the Lord, we found one in good shape and for a good price!

He was thrilled! He and Elise have loved playing on it and climbing up to the top bunk.

Sleeping on top is of course his favorite...the only negative is that he can't feel the fan much at all, which is a little ruff since it's so hot right now.

With Elijah's upgrade, Elise got one as well. She now has his toddler bed and Norah sleeps in her crib. She was just as excited to get a new bed as Elijah was :)

Only in India #56

Only in India does a man walk into a park with a hawk sitting on his arm.

We Love "She"

 "She" is such a peaceful woman whom we all love! She was the first national in Garden City that Elijah took to, hugged, and loved. She's a catholic and the first national believer I'd ever met, which I think is why it feels so different around her than others. We are so thankful She comes to our house to help me cook two days a week! All of us enjoy her presence - thank you Lord! 

When Elijah first met "She" in our friends home almost two years ago. He hugged her legs and she leaned over to embrace him and touch foreheads, which is such an endearing thing they do here. I've always cherished this picture and having her around, especially during those months when Elijah really struggled, but he always drew close to her. 

Sickness...& Craziness

One thing that tends to go hand in hand with living in India is sickness. We've never really been sick too terribly, praise the Lord. But, there seems to be something that's happening usually every month or every other month with someone. This time it's the girls.

Today was one of those days that just seemed like it couldn't get any crazier! The Lord was really great in keeping me calm though - praise Him!

I feel like I can't make this stuff up, which is why I'm writing it.

This afternoon I walk into Elijah's room to find him standing and peeing on his balcony! What in the world! That has nothing to do with sickness, but I couldn't believe what I was seeing. He's never done anything like that. When I asked why he did it, he replied, "I just thought I wanted to pee here." What?! Anyways...that's random. On to why I was writing this and about sickness :)

Neal left around 5:30 to go to a cricket match with a friend. It's his first match, so he was pretty excited. I was thankful he was getting to go!

It was me and the kids for the night, so we headed off to pick up some eggs from the near by shop for me to cook for dinner. I'm thankful for eggs because they're a staple food regardless of where you live!

 Elijah's really into being independent and walking on the sidewalk by himself without holding hands now. He's also really into helping me, so I let me carry our new bloom home.

Elise gets to be independent from holding my hand periodically, but only when the traffic isn't much. And of course she needed to wear her crown :)

After we returned from the store Elijah asked if he could take a shower before dinner, which he's wanting to do all the time now, no doubt a first. I think being in the 100 degree heat with no AC really makes you want to bathe. So, we all did our bathes/showers prior to dinner.

During that time I started smelling something and I looked around at each kid asking if someone was pooping. (The girls have had some really bad diarrhea over the last four days. It's come on really suddenly for both of them, so much so that Elise seldom makes it to the toilet before she's done half of it in her pants.) Elijah and Elise were shaking their heads and I looked down at Norah, and that's when I realized she was exploding some diarrhea in her little tub. I quickly got her out and double bathed her.

After I'd finished with each kid I sent them into my room to start putting on their lotion and pjs. As I was finishing cleaning out Norah's bucket tub, I looked out to check on the kids. Elise was standing with her legs wide open peeing on my rug and the bottom of my comforter! What?! Seriously? You and your brother in the same day just decide to pee somewhere random for the first time ever. I was in shock that she was doing that. So, I cleaned it up after getting everyones pjs on. Then off to make dinner.

After dinner Elise starts running into the bathroom cause she's having some diarrhea. Unfortunately she'd already started, so when she takes off her diaper and climbs onto the toilet it gets on other things as well. Then Norah kept crawling into the bathroom. I finally, after the second or third time taking her out, got Norah in her seat that she couldn't get out of. Then I gave Elise another half bath, cleaned the bathroom, and washed her clothes.

I get the movie going for Elijah and Elise and then go to pick up Norah...and I smell something. I realize that where she'd crawled into the bathroom some poop had gotten on the front of her pjs. So, I washed her hands and go to change her. Then I see where it's coming out onto her legs where she's had diarrhea again! Sniffing my own pjs I know it's gotten on me as well. So, Norah got a half bath and her clothes washed. Then I changed my clothes.

Whoo! So much can take place in just two and a half hours since Neal left!

Heal Elise and Norah Lord!

   

Revisiting the Local Park & CCD!

I took the kids to the local park two days ago. It's pretty close to our house, but still a little ways to walk, especially for their little legs. But, they were troopers and didn't complain.

Though the park doesn't look that nice, with it's dirt instead of grass, and run down equipment, it's still the nicest park in our area...kinda sad...but we're thankful. 

Elijah's always been a climber, and these bars have been a favorite since he was little. 

Elise put the bandaid on her head after putting one on my head. I'd had a headache the day before and she wanted to help it feel better. I asked her if she'd like for me to take her bandaid off before we went to the park, but she said "no." "No, Mommy, God's going to heal my head and then God will take me bandaid off." "Ok then, I'll let God take it off when He wants to," I replied. Love it!

And now Elise is old enough to climb the bars with Elijah. She's tried before, but it's always made me nervous. She's proved her climbing ability, so I let her do it now :)

Then this man walked into the park with a hark sitting on his arm! He was telling a couple of other men that the hawk has a bad wing and therefore hasn't been able to take care of itself, so he took him. Honestly, I didn't want him to come any closer to me because I watched that hawks face knowing it's still wild... and it had a very sharp beak! So crazy!

 And then off to the favorite Cafe Coffee Day (CCD). This particular one is located right down the street from the park, so it's a great place to get a cool drink after sweating from playing so hard.

Gosh I love these two! They are no doubt such a joy to be with. They've both matured a lot since we were here before, and for that I'm so thankful! Cuties!!

On our way home we passed by a veggie stand that I'd shopped at only once before. I didn't remember it being quite so nice with such luscious vegetables. I was really impressed and had to buy something! This is one thing I've always liked about living in India - the sellers on the side of the road with all the fresh foods.  

Missing the streets and Lifting up the Harvest

Being home for the holidays and enjoying time with family is nice...
but reflecting on all the relationships left behind and work left unfinished is hard.

I was spending time in the prayer room and just calling out to God on behalf of our friends by name... it can be frustrating in the waiting... but we know that our God is in control. He makes all things work together for our good.

Each relationship that we develop, each person that we share with, He knows them. He knows them by name. Even if we cannot see the full harvest reaped, we know that the Holy Spirit will finish the work.

Here are some pics that take us back:

He said that the harvest is plentiful...

shopping in the market....

By the cart load they sell their crops, each person dependent on a small income to help their family.

The grain is carried from villages to the towns and cities during the 2-3 harvest times.

A drive through the streets. 

Nothing like the monsoon summer rains to cool from the heat.