The Answer to Your Prayers

I'll never forget those two faces.

If the attribute of joy was personified, then Merna and Jacqueline embodied it. Their beautiful faces radiated with a supernatural joy. As identical twins, telling them apart was nearly impossible, but their precious smile undeniably further entwined their likeness.

Nestled in the back alley of Manshayet Nasr (known to foreigners as "Garbage City") at a home run by nuns [started by Mother Teresa], I found myself "mother" to six newborns (2-6 months old)...five girls, one boy. These were my children. Bottles, feeding, burping, pacifiers, changing diapers, playing, and putting babies to sleep became regular elements of life...these kids had my heart.

One day in early April, upon entering the children's home, my heart was ripped apart to find two of my kids gone...Jacqueline and Merna. (On a positive note, I was told they were returned to their biological parents) I distinctly remember going to their blatantly empty cribs, kneeling down beside them on the cold tiles, and with tears in my eyes, I prayed.

My prayer was simple...that God would take care of them, and that He would bring someone into their life who would love them and share the love of Jesus with them.

Little did I know the impact of such a prayer...

Shortly after returning to the US of A in May of '04, my university studies resumed...so with 9992 km separating me from my adopted-family, my dorm room wall became a panorama of memories. And my prayers continued...as before.

Two years later, degree in hand, I boarded Lufthansa Airlines bound for a new life in Beirut...except God had other plans. War, logistical issues, and divine guidance landed me in Cairo...again. With David, I came to the realization, "I trust in You, O Lord. I say, 'You are my God!' My times are in Your hand." (Psalm 31:13-14)

As time went by, I returned to the streets of Manshayet Nasr...passing by a group of children, a ten year old [Lobna], called out, "Parlez vous francais?" Being a Senegalese and a native-French speaker, I turned...instantly, a friendship was born. After getting to know the family and discovering the kids study in French, I became the tutor for their kids, their cousins, and their cousin's cousins.

Months later, as we sat around the family's rickety broken plastic table conjugating verbs in the past tense [surrounded by rubbish along with chickens randomly flying over our head---yes, chickens CAN fly], two little girls stepped into my world...again. Barefoot, covered in dirt from head to toe, clothes slightly tattered, their hair crusty and mangled from playing in the street and their faces bore no sign of joy, but something in their eyes looked ever so familiar. Looking up, I asked Lobna who these two adorable twins were...she replied, "My sisters, Jacqueline and Merna." Though their names are commonplace, other identifying features were given and I quickly realized that in a city of over 20 million residents, God had reunited me with two of my girls!

And then it hit me...my prayer. Today, I see these girls frequently, pour love into them, and share the stories of my friend, Jesus. As kindergartners, they love school [especially gymnastics] and life...their laughter is back and my life is enriched because of them.

But take a step back in history, when Jesus and His disciples were swamped with thousands of people and no food...the disciples quickly managed a solution and suggested Jesus send the multitudes away. Christ's answer baffled their logic. "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat." (Matthew 14:16) We know the rest of the story...one boy, five loaves, two "small" [John 6:9] fish...and Jesus. When we pray, are we willing to be the answer to our prayer? For those suffering around the world...are we willing to give up our abundance so others may have the bare minimum? For the lonely...are we willing to sacrifice our time to comfort? We pray like Asaph, "Defend the poor and fatherless; do justice to the afflicted and needy, deliver the poor and needy; Free them from the hand of the wicked." (Psalm 82:3-4) But are we willing to be the vessel God uses?

SO, just a little warning...be careful what you pray.

You may be the answer to your own prayer!