The night before Jeff’s surgery, a hospital worker came to the room with a wheel chair to take Jeff to get an MRI. She invited me to walk with them, so I did. We chatted along the way and she shared about her job and family. From appearances, she looked like she might be Asian. So I asked her where her family originally came from. She responded by saying that she came from Southeast Asia but that it was a small county I probably had never heard of called Cambodia. CAMBODIA! (For those of you who are new to our lives, you might not know that we were international workers in Cambodia for four years). Jeff instantly started speaking Cambodian with this precious lady and I thought she was going to faint. She just could not believe that we could speak her language. We dropped Jeff off for his MRI and then she walked me to the door of the parking garage. With each hospital worker that we passed, she would declare to them, “she speaks my language.” I’m thankful for God’s gift to us that night of a Cambodian lady wheeling Jeff to his MRI. As I reflect on those few moments, it reminds me that the God who created the universe also is our God who knows Jeff intimately. He knows Jeff’s past in Cambodia, he knows Jeff has had this brain tumor and he knows what tomorrow brings for Jeff too. This dear Cambodian woman was filled with joy because we spoke her native language and communicated with her heart. I am thankful to worship the Uncreated God who knows Jeff so well that he arranged for a perfect stranger to communicate his love to our hearts in a desperate moment.
Jeff was moved out of ICU last night and continues to make small steps of progress. Thanks for praying to the God who loves us enough to create divine moments of reassurance and joy by speaking our heart language.
Karyn
June 29, 2010 at 7:36 am
Isn’t it cool how He whispers those gentle, sweet messages of His love and care for us when we need it most? That dear woman probably went home talking about you to her family and friends thinking she was the one “blessed,” when all along God was using her to bless you guys.
You all are continually on our hearts and in our prayers. (btw – Jeff is gonna have a little competition in the future. You’re a “natural” at blogging, Karyn!) Love you, Fran
June 29, 2010 at 12:14 pm
I agree that you are a natural at blogging, Karyn. I was reading the blog on my reader, and I clicked on it to leave a message saying that I think you should start your own blog. I know you love to tell stories, and it would be fun to read them!
June 29, 2010 at 7:29 pm
Karyn, Just read your blog regarding Jeff’s surgery. We(Chuck and I)got the prayer request last week, but hadn’t heard anything else until today. It made me cry when I heard about the Cambodian nurse and Jeff speaking to her in Cambodian. God at work!!!! We’ve seen that in my “cancer journey” time and again. We know that God has a purpose for Jeff and you in/through all of this and so many lives you will touch!! We will keep praying for total healing and recovery. For God’s peace for you and the girls.
Mary Huffman(A LONG time ago friend)!
July 12, 2010 at 11:27 am
Thanks, Mary it’s so nice to hear from you! Glad God continues to grace you with breath as well…
June 30, 2010 at 8:56 am
Karen,
What a precious story. Thank you so much for taking the time to share with us.
June 30, 2010 at 4:08 pm
I agree with everyone too. I think when Jeff gets to go home, he can watch the girls and you be our campus pastor! The dog walking would do him good too!
July 1, 2010 at 8:23 am
Karyn– God has been answering my prayers for you guys to have the eyes to see God working in and around all of your circumstances. I blogged about it too–and linked to this post. I was so blessed to read of God’s creativity in showing His love.
We are continuing to pray for God’s complete healing for Jeff and for eyes to see God at work. Love you!
and by the way, You’d love blogging–you should seriously consider it!
July 1, 2010 at 10:30 am
I stopped by after reading Dawn’s post that included a link here. Isn’t God amazing? Your recount of the woman from Cambodia touched my heart. Jeff will be in my prayers.