A Beautiful Testimony of a Mom and Dad’s Love and the Faithfulness of God

By Betty Jo

Sometimes you find yourself in a moment so filled with God’s presence that you know it has been written by His hand. That is how we felt the day we visited Christopher and his family—about a dozen of us, sitting together, listening to their story. There wasn’t a dry eye among us as we witnessed the powerful testimony of a mother and father’s love, and the faithfulness of God in their lives.

Christopher, a bright young boy, had just finished Primary 7 as one of the top students in his class. But while his future looked promising, his parents carried the heavy burden of knowing they had no means to send him to secondary school.

His father, Patrick, shared: “I was once a healthy, hardworking man. But five years ago, a sudden pain left me paralyzed from the waist down. Since then, I have been carried in a wooden chair. I feel so bad that I am of little help to my family. All these years, we watched our son do so well in school, and we were very proud. But when the time came for secondary, we didn’t know what to do. We thought maybe he could make some bricks. He did and was so happy, but we knew it wouldn’t be enough. Many nights I lay awake, praying and asking God how I could help my son.”

Adeline, his mother, nodded as she told her side: “Life has not been easy since Patrick became paralyzed. I worked the garden as much as I could just to keep Chris in school. He told me, ‘Mama, I will pass my exams very well.’ I said, ‘Pray well—only God can help.’ And Chris did pass very well! But when I heard the results, I went to the garden and cried, ‘God, what will I do about my son?’ The next day, a representative of EWT came to me. He said Christopher now had a sponsor who would send him to secondary school. No one can describe the joy in my heart!”

Patrick’s face broke into a smile as he added: “Before, I could not sleep, worrying how to care for Chris. But I see now that God remembers the faithful. May God help you to support others, just as you have helped us.”

And then, as if God wanted to write one more chapter of grace, a donor provided a wheelchair for Patrick. No longer confined to a wooden chair, he can move again. With tears in his eyes, he said: “For the first time in five years, I can go to church and discipleship meetings, and move around freely. God has answered many prayers—first for my son’s education, and now for this! No one can describe the happiness in my heart!”