PRAYERS

Tonight we sat down with the girls and prayed for Tarik. It was like our normal bedtime routine in that half of their prayers were for things that don't exist or toys they won't get. But there was one difference... the next time we pray with the girls for Tarik, she will be in the next room!

Tomorrow the girls go with the grandparents so this has been a week of "lasts" as a family of four. No last is more powerful than praying. For so long prayer is all we had. At first there were prayers for the generic "little sister". We didn't know anything about her. Then came the news of severe drought -- our prayers became pointedly about her having enough food. And to see her chubby cheeks is a testimony of the power of prayer. Then there was the outbreak of pneumonia and orphans were dying -- again we prayed every night with the girls. In September we found out who she was and the prayers finally became personal. Don't think we are raising spiritual giants, the prayers for Tarikwa Teka (the girls typically call her by her full name) were mostly sandwiched between pleadings for Christmas presents and petitions to be fairies or mermaids. But still, prayer has been all we had. We couldn't hug her, protect her, or play with her -- we could only pray for her. There were times we didn't think that was enough and I always thought I could do a better job taking care of her than God, but we rejoice that our prayers have been answered and "little sister" will be home soon.