After one year, we find ourselves happier than we ever imagined possible.
 "To God be the glory. Great things He hath done!"

The wind slammed into our house as the rotating cloud howled overhead. The sky was bright with lightening as it dumped 4 1/2 inches of much needed rain.

I don't know exactly what it is about our cozy little house, but it amplifies sounds in an incredible way. Maybe it's the metal roof, or the fact that it is built on a hilltop. Whatever the case, storms of less magnitude sound loud in the middle of the night. This 11:30 awakening was particularly startling for me. By the time we were able to load the radar on Luke's phone, the funnel cloud had already passed over us. We scrambled to mop up the water that was blowing in through the balcony door while praying that our high tunnel was safe and checking on our guests downstairs (ask us sometime about the reactions of our various guests ;).

The rain was still coming down in sheets and Luke was discussing the storm with some of the others when I crawled over to the air mattress where my precious Momma was calmly sitting. 

What a comfort it was- just to be near her. I used to crawl into her bed during night time storms as a child. If I was snuggled down between her and Daddy, the loudest storm couldn't disturb my little heart. 

Later there were storms of another nature that she helped me to weather... so many of them over the years. 

My racing heart slowed back down with her arm around me. 

Maybe someday I'll be the momma that calms little ones with her very presence, but for now, I'm just thankful when I get to sit by mine and feel her hand clasp. I'm thankful that even when she's far away I can feel her heart clasp. I love you, Mommy!

When we walked into the church a few weeks ago, I didn't even notice her. My hands were full of baby Cao and Tammy's with Shiloh as both of our husbands preached. (Luke in english with Keith translating). The moment I looked away from my charge to take a picture, he seized the opportunity to taste the dirt and chicken feathers under our pew. No, I was not noticing the great need just an arm's length from me.

But Luke saw her as he preached. Hunched over in her chair with swollen foot and leg covered by dirty dressings. After church he investigated and found a dear lady who has been suffering with large open sores on her feet for months. This story could be long, but I will make it short for today. We took pictures (you who are medically minded or curious might want to see them) and promised to come again.

Two days later, we bumped along the road on the motor bike the 50 kilometers to the village. She was there, shivering in a dark hut. We stayed overnight and started her on a regimen of antibiotics, vitamins, hydrotherapy, charcoal poultices, and various natural supplements (such as papaya leaf tea). Providentially, a very capable nurse was visiting his father (the church planter) in the same village and was able to continue the treatments in our absence.

One week later upon our return, we found her in much improved spirits. The pain was nearly gone, allowing her to sleep and hobble around with the help of a cane. The secondary infections were under control and her foot was neatly wrapped in a good dressing. The fungal infection that remains is extremely difficult to treat, but we arranged for her to go to the hospital for further evaluation.

When we squeezed her hand goodbye, she broke down and cried out her gratitude. Said that God had sent us. What she did not realize is that we were the privileged ones.

"Blest to be a blessing. Privileged to care..."