God come to us in such simple guises, a true mark of His humility. His guises at times are so simple we do not recognize Him, or perhaps, do not wish to. In no situation is He more present than in the expression of love between two persons. The love of one for the other can only be explained by the presence of God since God is love. I see this daily in our home where ill children are cared for by our personnel and volunteers. It is beguiling to see the trust of the children as they submit themselves to the care of the nurses and to see the concern and love of the nurses for the children. The love of a mother or father for their child is perhaps the maximum exponent of the presence of God. The child is the fruit of love between two persons who are cocreators with God. The child is a bond between them, a bond which strengthens with the passage of time as the love between them grows.

Elmer is a 13 year old who suffered severe headaches and gradual loss of vision during a 6 month period. When he entered our home he was totally blind. It was obvious that he was suffering from a brain tumor which x-rays studies confirmed. Surgery was indicated and a tumor the size of a tennis ball was removed. His postoperative course was stormy and he was eventually left with a severe neurologic deficit that prevented him from caring for himself. He was conscious and responsive, would answer appropriately when spoken to, but his voluntary movements were severely limited and even his swallowing was affected, requiring that he be fed through a tube in his stomach. He complained of constant pain in his arms and legs which did not respond to analgesics.

His family are sharecroppers and farm a small parcel of land for their subsistence. What is left over after personal consumption is sold, bringing in a meager income. His father came to the home two weeks following the surgery to care for his son, leaving his family and work to offer some comfort and love to his eldest child. He would sit by the bed for hours at a time, talking to and consoling his son and was able to induce him to swallow liquefied food, enabling us to remove the stomach tube. The love between them was palpable, almost visible, a prayer. Elmer's father talks with a smile, radiating a joy that flies in the face of his extreme poverty and personal tragedy. He is very thankful for the care his son has received, despite the outcome, and is determined to continue caring for his son as long as he is able, despite his precarious financial situation.

How can one explain such a love, such self sacrifice? It can only be explained by a faith in God and His presence in our lives. Elmer and his father are pure souls hidden from the eyes of the world but very present to the God whose love they manifest.

It is so easy to forget that we cared for by a loving Father, especially when the situation seems so bleak and hopeless. Elmer and his father have rekindled our hope and faith in God’s presence in our lives. We thank you for enabling us to care for our children. We love you and wish you God’s peace.