Marieke Mostert was only seven years old 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. When days passed and their little girl did not die, they allowed themselves to hope that she would, in fact, wake up and recover.

Two months later, Marieke had still not woken up. The lengthy coma took its emotional toll on her mother and father, but they cast themselves upon the God of mercy, and humbly asked Him for the strength to endure this new reality. While caring for their comatose daughter, life went on. Little changed in Marieke’s condition. Until, one day, it did.

When her eyes fluttered open that 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. Marieke had no memories of her childhood, could think and communicate only with difficulty, and was paralyzed. 

There was a great sadness in recognizing these disabilities, but also a sense of joy that their daughter was no longer in a coma. She was awake, aware, and engaged, and they poured out their love on her. Government compensation allowed for specialized equipment, such as a wheelchair, and Marieke soon became again a vital part of their growing family, as five younger sisters and three younger brothers were added. It was a big family, full of rambunctious good humor, hard work, and the love of God.

Then, when Marieke reached the age of seventeen, her parents felt an urge to somehow express their thankfulness to the Lord in a tangible way. The government compensation they received for their daughter was more than enough to meet her needs; could these funds also be used to invest in another child’s life? 

The Mosterts were familiar with organizations which offered opportunities to sponsor children in need. Perhaps they, whose daughter would never walk, could help someone else’s son or daughter to walk in the ways of the Lord. With much prayer, Marieke and her parents looked through one organization’s photographs of children in impoverished circumstances. Their hearts yearned tenderly over all of the children they saw. Then, suddenly, there he was: a six-year-old boy living in an orphanage in India. This was the one, their hearts told them. His name was Jaeem.*

Marieke and her parents supported Jaeem for almost fifteen years. Growing up in the orphanage, Jaeem met and was mentored by one of Multiply’s global workers and, with wise counsel and generous financial support, he went on to pursue post-secondary education. Eventually Jaeem would become a pastor who, along with children of his own, would volunteer at that very same orphanage. 

Jaeem treasured the letters written to him over the years by the Mosterts.  One contained a photograph of Marieke, smiling from her wheelchair. He would pull out that picture and reflect on how she had helped transform the course of his life. “One day, Lord,” Jaeem prayed, “help me find a way to go to the Netherlands and thank her in person. Until then, may I be worthy of her kindness. May I serve you in the ways that she cannot–may I be her legs in the Kingdom of God. “

Jaeem found Marieke’s contact information on social media in 2012. By then, he was married, and his life was a balancing act of full-time ministry, graduate studies, and the economic strain of raising a young family. Still, his resolve never wavered. Somehow, he would find a way to meet her. 

It took him ten years to save enough for the flights and visa. He then emailed the Mosterts, explaining who he was, and humbly asked permission to come in the spring and meet their daughter. They were elated. The elderly couple went to meet Jaeem at the airport, eagerly taking him home to meet Marieke and the rest of their family. It was a deeply emotional experience for all. It took Marieke some time to understand who Jaeem was, but as he expressed his profound gratitude and prayed for her, she began to weep happily with the realization

“Thank you,” Jaeem told her brokenly. “You have changed my life. All of you,” he added, looking around the room at those who had supported him for so many years. 

“We love you, Jaeem!” was the warm reply from Marieke’s parents. “You are as a son for us; we are your father and mother in Christ.” 

Returning to India and to the ministries in which he serves, Jaeem has reflected on how the love and generosity of one who could not even walk has helped him to walk further in the Kingdom of God than he had ever imagined possible. 

GIVE

You can help Multiply’s global workers and national partners, like Jaeem and his wife Manju, respond to needs all around our world by making a donation to our Where Needed Most fund. You’ll be supporting urgent ministry needs as they arise and your gift will have an eternal impact. multiply.net/give