Love is the best medicine

Rin came to us this week, together with her 80-something year old mother who has been caring for her these last two years. Rin gave up on life two years ago, when her husband left her and took her six children away too. She went to bed, curled up and stayed there. That has been her life since; living with her mum in a shack without a door; covered in plastic sheeting when it is raining. She is extremely thin and came to us with blank eyes that stare past you.

Our girls have been magnificent in their care of Rin. Sopheap was with her on Wednesday and felt the Lord speak to her the words 'love is the best medicine'. So Sopheap wrapped her arms around Rin, hugged her and said 'I can be your daughter'. Rin cried. Later that day Sopheap got her out of her room and to a chair outside. These last days Rin has been sitting up more often and she has started eating a little.

Old mum is a treasure. She is bent over pretty well 90 degrees, toothless and bald as a badger. She's pretty blind and the hearing is not too good either. She loves God and has made two tuk-tuk trips to church this last week. It is fascinating, watching the honour that the elderly are held in. The tuk-tuk guy was shamelessly ripping me off with his price Wednesday night, but when he saw grandmother he gently gathered her in his arms and carried her into his chariot. Same on the return journey - it was pouring with rain but again he carried her into the tuk-tuk with such tenderness and honour.

Grandmother wants to go home tomorrow as she is worried that her house without a door is not secure. The fact that she is willing to leave her beloved daughter in our care is very lovely. She wants to come back in a week. By then Marty and Robyn will be here with a working camera (hurray!!). Grandmother is a photographers dream subject - so I hope that I can show you this beautiful woman.