God Hears

She was raising her seven year old son, Riko, on her own. Her husband had been killed while protecting his family from the attackers. He was simply protecting those he loved and now he was gone and this mother was trying her best to raise this child. She noticed the blister-like sores all over her son's body. She prayed for him for a month as his condition got worse. She was destitute and had her own physical problems but she prayed with all her heart. He was getting worse and there seemed like there was little hope.

The mother heard there was an American medical team in town and boldly brought her son to see them. A medical team from New Frontiers Medical Force out of Clearwater, Florida had been in Tobelo for six days doing clinics in refugee camps and resettlement villages. Dr. Tonya Hawthorne and her team had just finished five clinics where they saw over 700 poor Indonesian patients. They had work hard and were now at their sleeping quarters when this mother came with her request. She quietly pleaded, "Would you please look at my son?" She was like the woman who pressed through the crowd to touch Jesus. This mother had that same desperation for her son's failing health. Riko was now unable to walk on his own. He was malnourished and it was hard for him to keep his food down. He was very frail and the blister-like sores were from head to toe. Dr. Tonya agreed to see him and in the next moments compassion flowed to this mother and son. The sores were unlike anything this medical team had seen--but they knew this boy needed help soon.

Before they left Florida one of the nurses was given some money from a friend. She wondered where to best use the funds and it was clear this was a chance to help this mother and son. The team donated enough money to transport mother and son to the city of Manado. They went to the BIT/IFC clinic in Manado where they could get free meals and a private bedroom. I was at the clinic checking on Riko when he was examined by an Indonesian doctor. I noticed he was looking better and was able to walk some on his own. He had received some vitamins and nutritious food from the clinic staff. The diagnosis was a shock to the mother. Riko had a skin form of leprosy. He had no open wounds and the doctor was positive about the chances of him making a full recovery.

This was the combination of three works of grace. First--the mother began to pray for her sick son. Secondly--someone in Florida was moved to give a donation before the medical team even left for Indonesia. Third--the medical team was in the right place at the right time filled with compassion for this mother and son. It all began with the prayers of this mother. Don't every underestimate the prayer of a mother to set all of heaven into action. We now pray for Riko's future--there is no doubt God has a plan for his life.