April 16th, 2008 - Lao Grandma, Pt. 1

Lao Grandma - Part 1
On Easter Sunday 2005, Grandmother passed away.  She was 102 and was strong and healthy until the last two months of her life.  She was survived by only one of the four sons she gave birth to; the others all died in infancy from tetanus and other diseases. 

I live in the same housing compound as Grandma and her surviving son, K. I see him and his family daily as their house is about one meter from mine. We share a common courtyard, and their grandchildren come to play almost every day.  When it’s hot we sit out in the yard and chat; when they get fruit from their trees they’re always sure to share some with me; when my motorcycle won’t start they’re right there to help.  They come to me for help with applications and I share with them whenever I bake something. We all share the same clothesline, the same water bill and the same beautiful yard full of flowers, fruit trees, and exotic and noisy birds.

For years I’ve prayed for this family that God would reveal himself to them and draw many in this extended family to Himself.  I prayed specifically that the grandmother, the matriarch of the family, would at least release the others in the family to follow Christ.  During the past two months as grandmother’s health has steadily declined, my friend and I have visited almost everyday and had many opportunities to pray with and for her.  Although she can barely see and hear she has always been alert and very aware of what’s going on around her.

I recall one time in particular in which I shouted a prayer in her ear which most of the neighbors must have heard; I prayed that the Most High God, the maker of the heavens and the earth, the one full of love and mercy, would touch her and relieve her of her pain, would comfort and encourage her, and would reveal Himself to her.  I prayed that she would know who God is and how much he loved her.  I prayed that this same God would bless her and protect her.  She voiced her agreement throughout the prayer and said a Lao style amen at the end.  She thanked me.  Many other times we prayed for her as well, both when we were alone with her and when other family members were around.