Leaving on a train

My agenda for today was full but but God kept interrupting. An appointment to look at possible work for some of the women was suddenly moved up two hours ahead of time. I had to close down my computer, get dressed and be there in a half hour. As I discussed the project I suddenly knew I was talking to a fellow believer. Sure enough she was and then I was so moved at the way in which God works. This was the first time I met her. How did she know about the work with the women I asked. It was someone at the Muslim fabric shop who told her. Dear God how is it possible that you put things together in this way I prayed as I thanked God that He does works in incredible ways, beyond our understanding. What I do know is that at that shop there is a world of goodwill and love for what I do and the women who are helped. As I left there and moved to the next place, I had no idea of the bigger interruption that was waiting for me. There to discuss another work project with homeless women before I hurried off to yet another appointment, I met Eurika, a young woman I knew. Last Sunday she showed up in church, weeping and bent over. Homeless and tortured by drugs she was stabbed and had just come from the hospital. I just want to go home she said repeatedly. Not knowing what else to do, I turned her over to one of our leaders who works with refugees and helps people like her and I went home.Here she was now at Living Grace weeping with Stella, a visiting volunteer. With all the love of a grandmother,Stella had prayed with her, shared with her how to know Christ, but above all listened to her story and encouraged her to change her life. She needs to go home Stella told me. People in my church had promised to help but that was on Sunday and Monday and today, Tuesday, they were not available. I tried to leave but just could not. When I promised her I would take care of it tomorrow, the tears came in torrents. I want to go home today she said. Something about the way she said it so moved me that I agreed she needed to go home today and with some donations and prayer from our visiting volunteers I took her to the train. First though, she needed to clear her locker. But Eurika had already done that. Clean for two days, she had already thrown everything away. She was ready to leave this terrible life behind. All she had was a gift packet of toiletries from Stella,my card and the money I gave her. I took her to the train, bought her a first class ticket to town and gave her the money for the ticket to take her home to her mother, about two hours away. As the train came to the platform she ran to the doors, paused long enough to wave to me and was gone. A huge smile filled my heart. Talk about new beginnings, well I am not so sure, but I won't bet against Eurika making it, with God's help. And then I reflected on how many people had touched her life with compassion over this past weekened and before that, the hours of love and help given by Living Grace. God had put all of these resources at the disposal of one young woman, just like that lost sheep, just like our Lord.