Marieke was only seven when she was hit by a car while cycling to school in the Netherlands. As she hovered between life and death, her parents were likewise suspended in the in-betweenness of trauma. The months passed, Marieke did not wake up, and her parents humbly asked God for the strength to endure this new reality.
Life went on, and little changed in Marieke’s condition. Until, one day, it did.
When her eyes fluttered open one day, her parents caught their breath. Was their Marieke coming back to them? It became evident, however, that she was not the same little girl that had cheerfully pedaled off to school that day. She could communicate only with difficulty, and was paralyzed.
Her parents grieved the disabilities, but also rejoiced that their daughter was no longer in a coma. With a specialized wheelchair, Marieke again became a vital part of their family. When Marieke reached the age of seventeen, she and her parents wanted to express their thankfulness to the Lord in a tangible way. Exploring child sponsorship, they found a picture of a six-year-old boy in an orphanage in India. His name was Jaeem.
Growing up in the orphanage, Jaeem received encouraging correspondence from Marieke ‘s family. He also received wise mentorship from two of Multiply’s global workers, and went on to pursue post-secondary education and become a pastor, overseeing a network of house churches. He and his wife and children continued to be involved in the orphanage as volunteers.
Over the years, Jaeem would often reflect on a photograph of Marieke. One day, Lord, Jaeem prayed, let me thank her in person. Until then, may I be worthy of her kindness. May I serve you in the ways that she cannot–and be her legs in the Kingdom of God.
It took many years to save enough to travel and meet the family in person, and it was a deeply emotional experience for all. It took Marieke some time to understand who Jaeem was, but when she did, she wept with joy.
“You changed my life,” Jaeem told her. “You, who cannot even walk, have helped me to walk further in the Kingdom of God than I ever imagined possible.”
Life went on, and little changed in Marieke’s condition. Until, one day, it did.
When her eyes fluttered open one day, her parents caught their breath. Was their Marieke coming back to them? It became evident, however, that she was not the same little girl that had cheerfully pedaled off to school that day. She could communicate only with difficulty, and was paralyzed.
Her parents grieved the disabilities, but also rejoiced that their daughter was no longer in a coma. With a specialized wheelchair, Marieke again became a vital part of their family. When Marieke reached the age of seventeen, she and her parents wanted to express their thankfulness to the Lord in a tangible way. Exploring child sponsorship, they found a picture of a six-year-old boy in an orphanage in India. His name was Jaeem.
Growing up in the orphanage, Jaeem received encouraging correspondence from Marieke ‘s family. He also received wise mentorship from two of Multiply’s global workers, and went on to pursue post-secondary education and become a pastor, overseeing a network of house churches. He and his wife and children continued to be involved in the orphanage as volunteers.
Over the years, Jaeem would often reflect on a photograph of Marieke. One day, Lord, Jaeem prayed, let me thank her in person. Until then, may I be worthy of her kindness. May I serve you in the ways that she cannot–and be her legs in the Kingdom of God.
It took many years to save enough to travel and meet the family in person, and it was a deeply emotional experience for all. It took Marieke some time to understand who Jaeem was, but when she did, she wept with joy.
“You changed my life,” Jaeem told her. “You, who cannot even walk, have helped me to walk further in the Kingdom of God than I ever imagined possible.”
