The Story of “Linda”
As I greeted “Linda” with a hug when she walked through the door of our center in Heredia three years ago, neither of us could have imagined the story of her life that would unfold in the coming years. She was there for her bi-weekly appointment to learn about what it means to be a mother, be encouraged, and receive supplies for her new baby.
Although she was what most would consider young, she was one of our first clients. “Linda” is an extremely resilient person, experiencing spiritual, emotional, and mental growth during her time in the program. She graduated with the first group of ladies two years later.
Not long after graduating from the program, “Linda” moved from the slum into a stable neighborhood a couple of hours away. Her family was relocated by the government due to the construction of a new highway that ironically was being built right through her living room.
At the time of the move, she was pregnant with her fifth child but hopeful about the new opportunity. Several months into the pregnancy, she began to have complications with her pregnancy. In July, Melissa and some volunteers went to visit “Linda” to bring encouragement and support. They were able to pray with her and bring some much-needed groceries.
“Please pray. If you can, please give.URGENT REQUEST FOR PRAYER:Most of the time ministry is full of joy seeing so many come in contact with the love of Jesus. We work with lots of new babies and moms that bring energy to every room.Today our hearts are very heavy as a child was born and only breathed a few breaths earthside. Isabella is now in the arms of Jesus. She is whole. She will only know perfect love.
~ A mom in our pregnancy center has had a high-risk pregnancy throughout these past 8 months.
She was due 1 month from now. She has bravely battled with keeping it and not aborting it knowing it would probably have a difficult life. She decided on life. But this little bundle couldn’t keep going and after an emergency induction early this morning, “Linda” will be going home with a broken heart and empty arms.
Please lift up the fiercest deepest prayers for this momma today, please.
Also, I know we have been asking for donations lately for our ministry, but she will need to bury her baby in two days (that’s how they do it in CR), and our momma is not financially able to cover these sudden costs, so we want to ask for a special offering for this. In total, we need around $600 to do this. *You can give to PayPal.me/TilHeReturns or on our website www.tilhereturns.com/donate just leave a note that says “Isabella” and we will make sure it goes to this As always, thanks for your prayers BUT especially thanks for lifting up the broken heart of this special woman to the throne room of heaven. She will need them especially as she leaves the hospital tomorrow without the one she has carried the past 8 months.~“
Amazingly, the money was raised within hours by brothers and sisters in Christ who saw a need they could meet and met it.
Two days later, Melissa and Briana went to pick “Linda” up from the hospital along with her baby, Isabella, and transport her about 2 hours across Costa Rica closest to where Linda lives.
“Tonight will be a holy night as we lay baby Isabella in a fresh grave, in her perfect white dress. Please pray for “Linda”. Pray for us to radiate Jesus and peace and pray for His love to gush through all of space and time and pour out all over this precious momma. I’m not ready. We aren’t ready. She will never be ready. Thanks for giving and helping us help her in this time of extreme grief.“
The night was a sad night filled with reverence but also the stress of having limited daylight hours. Melissa and Briana were able to be with Linda as they buried her daughter. Although the moments were difficult, they were thankful that she was now in a place surrounded by community.
The next day “Linda” said that she was sad but learning into the Lord for strength. The day after the burial, “Linda” received an answer to desperate prayer by finally getting her Costa Rican Identification card which allows her access to better resources. Although this is a difficult time in “Linda’s” life, we are thankful for God’s timing in providing this glimmer of hope.
