Suicide or Christ?

Suicide or Christ?
Fanny chooses Christ.
The last day of the medical clinic was here. People had begun to wait in line at 4:30 a.m. There was no way we could treat every person comprising the several blocks long line of people. Tickets had been disbursed to insure order. Over half of them would not be seen. Those with fevers or obvious ailments were given priority. Like dozens of others, Fanny, a woman in her 40's, approached JoAnn and began telling her story in the hope that an exception would be made. First, she did not have a ticket meaning she had not been waiting in the line. (Strike one against her.) Second, she supposedly had an infection not obvious to the eye. (Strike two.) Third, she had seen a doctor just five weeks prior. (Strike three-she had recently been treated when many had not seen a doctor in years.) BUT, there was something in her eyes and a sense of desperation in her spirit that made me pause. Amazed, instead of declining I said yes and let her through the clinic. The doors were closed behind her. As I made my round through the clinic upstairs, a doctor/evangelist called me into his cubicle. When I entered, there was Fanny. The doctor began telling me that Fanny's daughter had died just 4 months prior, she indeed had severe healthy problems, and that her husband was leaving her. She had decided to return home and drink rat poison to end her life. She had no hope or desire to live. Together with the doctor, we prayed for Fanny's salvation and deliverance from suicidal thoughts. The presence of God in that cubicle was intense as Fanny accepted Christ into her life. She rebuked the doom and desperation brought on by the enemy. Her countenance changed as the Spirit of God started an amazing transformation. She wept, cried out to God, hugged us, and wept some more. We led her to the counseling area where she was given further counsel, a Bible, and literature on her new walk with Christ. She caught me once again before leaving the clinic and literally held me tight for several moments thanking me for the change in her life. I urged her to come to the church for support and encouragement. She promised she would. As she left, I leaned against the wall caught up in the severity of the events that had transpired. A chilling sensation overwhelmed me when I considered that I had almost said "no" to her. What if I had? How wonderful it is to know that our paths are ordered of the Lord and that His spirit will guide us if we let Him. May everything we do bring glory to His name.

This little 8 yr. old girl (with baby sister in tow) attends a thriving church in the mountain village of Puruguay (1 1/2 hrs. from Riobamba). They were recently visited by a godly businessman and the Assoc. Pastor of the church. Sensitive to the Holy Spirit, a contribution of $8,000 was given to continue the construction of classrooms. Once completed, these children will have a place for Sunday School and other activities that will teach them God's Word.