This past Sabbath afternoon, Jeanne and I headed to the other end of town to see a family that attends my Sunday-morning meeting. The man has two wives, and they have both given birth in the past two weeks. One of the babies was born with a limp arm and a tight hand tendon. The father was rather discouraged. Uli reminded me that Jeanne’s daughter had been born with similar problems, so I talked to Jeanne, and she agreed to go with me to talk to the family and give them hope. We also took her daughter with us to show them that recovery was possible.

As we visited with the family, Jeanne showed them the exercises that had helped her daughter gain use of her hand. They reported that many people had counseled them just to leave the child’s hand alone—that it was the will of the fetish, or it was a matter for doctors to treat. So they were excited to hear Jeanne’s testimony and practical suggestions. Jeanne also told them that many people had given her similar bad counsel when her daughter was born, but Uli and I had provided her with good information that helped her daughter tremendously.

Sometimes God puts us through situations so we can learn new things and provide help and encouragement to others. So, as Paul said, “Give thanks in all things.”

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