Through a mother’s eyes . . .
Dennis & I (Holly’s mom & dad) joined Michael & Holly and 2 year-old Shiyrah, and 7 month-old Emeth to check up on 2 of the Children’s Homes that L2W supports. First Stop . . . Dhaka, Bangladesh. The house parents, Robert & Shikha are passionately committed and wholeheartedly serving the Lord. They have 5 boys that were previously “street kids” from a local refugee camp. After visiting the refugee camp, we more fully understand the dire need for help, and the hopelessness that these people face, while living as refugees since the civil war ended in 1971.
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| Five boys from the home |
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| Washing clothes in the bathroom |
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| Prayer time |
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| Scavenger hung and learning about the wise men! |
A short flight from one developing country to another, how could it take so long? With 2 babies, how do Michael & Holly cope? With exceptional Christ-centered thoughts and daily disciplined family prayer. This kind of living and coping doesn’t come easier or naturally for missionaries. Every morning they spend time worshiping God. Up early, delayed flights, waiting and more waiting, to arrive at the “guesthouse” at 10:00pm. Too tired to eat, Holly nurses the 2 babies to bed . . . no shower, no changing of clothes, exhausted for the sake of Jesus, and these children. . . Amazing Jesus-filled attitude. Sleep comes on the 2-inch mattress, with horn-honking all night long, gheko chirping every 20 minutes in our room, no sheets, rock-solid pillows, cold showers, mosquito nets . . . but if you listen intently, you can hear the beautiful sounds of birds chirping, welcoming the start of a new day long before sunrise. The “Call to Prayer” comes loudly over the city through speakers, mingled with honking horns and barking dogs. A hole in the ground toilet, with a 2” cockroach guarding the door, along with 15+ mosquitos waiting for someone to enter. Comforts that most take for granted, this nice place is high above the comfort of most homes here in Dhaka. Although they say that the economy is rapidly progressing and the country is speedily modernizing . . . they have hope. With a 5% Christian population in a Muslim country, the Christians have some persecution and the younger generation is fighting complacency and the challenge to provide for a comfortable life. With factory workers getting pay starting at $70/month, most have jobs. We were on a flight from Saudi Arabia full of 600 Bangladeshi men and a few women who returned home for a month or two, after working for 2-3 years in Saudi Arabia for minimal pay. Dennis & I were the only 2 “Westerners” on the flight and the only 2 people getting a tourist visa.
Getting to bed after midnight, up and ready by 8:00am for breakfast for the 50+ students that came to hear Michael and Dennis teach, a breakfast of chapati, potatoes, and . . . To be able to teach and care for babies, get beyond the spoiled comforts to which we are accustomed, takes discipline of the heart, soul, and mind, rising early to spend time with God. For me, a visitor, to live like this for a week or month is bearable, but to give your life to this lifestyle and purpose, to be effective in encouraging others, to see beyond yourself as the center, is not attainable for most, sustainable for few, and rarely successful in the eyes of others, without breakdowns, without depending on Jesus every day, every hour, every minute. Lord, help me not to judge the needs and comforts of those living, serving and surviving to bring others to know and grow in Christ.
Second Stop . . . Varanasi, India . . . we’ll save this for another update.
The trip was truly amazing, lives were touched, and probably, most of all, my life was impacted. Please come and experience this with us. Come to Nepal to see the work God is doing through Michael and Holly and kids. It will change your life. They have a truly comfortable guesthouse waiting for you!
~ Phoebe Liedstrand
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| Being blessed by Mother Theresa |
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| Children from Varanasi. We support 9 children who used to beg on the streets and in train stations. They have been at this home for 4 years now! |
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