14 Jul 2009, Posted by justin in the category, 0 Comments

How Will She Know?

Amidst the busyness of kids programs we often run in villages we sometimes squeeze in a couple of visits to the elderly and encourage them with a food parcel. This afternoon we had a chance to drop by a few of the more marginalised elderly in the village of Slobazia. I always leave these visits feeling very uneasy and this afternoon’s visit was no exception.  

As we approach our first visitor, we navigate our way down a steep road where the recent downpours have left their mark in deep ruts. We enter onto the verandah of  a little old lady who hobbles her way out to greet us, which makes the walk down her driveway seem not so tough after all. The woman is delighted to receive a food package but in typical Moldovan fashion restrains herself from digging into the bag of goodies like a child on Christmas morning. We are quickly invited to take a seat, and the lady listens with intrigue as we briefly share the purpose behind our visit.

After we share, we are then invited into the world of a woman that has seen much harder days; as we listen we can’t help but notice the remarkable sense of health of this 92 year old woman – a woman who still reads without glasses. She goes on to explain that she had 12 kids, 7 of which died and 5 who currently work abroad in other counties. Her husband passed away around 30 years ago and she can’t remember the last time her children who were lucky enough to survive visited. She does have one nephew living in the same village who may have visited once or twice if her memory serves her correctly, however he has better things to do with his time. Whilst this woman’s health seems incredible, there’s no doubt that she lives in her own lonely little world – just her and her bitter sweet memories of the family members that survived.

As we listen to her struggles the typical response rolls of our tongues without really even thinking about what we’re saying… “How can we pray for you?” It’s a rhetorical question, but a polite one all the same. As she sighs she explains that she’d appreciate prayer for God to look after her, and we quickly nod in agreement, simultaneously bowing our heads together for her request. On completion of what almost seems a ritual, we make our way out the front gate and she invites us to lavish on her ripe apricots – a token of her appreciation for the food parcel. I always take a handful of fruit with me, as I figure that it provides them with a sense of pride; of having something to offer in return, rather than simply accepting our handout from their desperation and hopelessness.

But as I leave something bothers me, and a thought lingers in my mind as I think back to her request for God to help her. As Christians we believe that God uses His people to express love to one another, yet why has no one demonstrated ongoing love to this woman? We are so quick in asking God to look after such people, but how will He if people are stagnant in their love and concern for others? I leave wondering whether this woman’s prayer request will ever be fulfilled, and get the feeling that her belief in God will be very much dependent upon the answer.