God is in the details

Every year my mom and dad donate money for the Bethany teams to build a home. The homes they have given are in memory of my niece, their grandaughter who passed away after open heart surgery. Jennifer was born with a heart defect and struggled through 3 open heart surgeries and a pace maker. After emergency open heart surgery Jennifer suffered 3 strokes and was pronounced brain dead. She had just celebrated her 20th birthday. She was on life support until we could all gather to say our goodbye's. She went home to live with her Savior where she no longer has to suffer with a failing heart.

My parents have now built 5 homes for families living in poverty in memory of Jenni.  The make up of the families are all different but they all share one thing in common. They are all homeless. My parents wanted good to come out of Jenni's suffering and death. When we meet the families on Sunday I always ask God to help me choose the family who will receive Jenni's house. This year I felt lead to choose a family of 4. A married couple with a son and daughter. They had no home and were living in his brothers house. He is a welder and she stays at home and looks after her family.

Brian and I sat one hot afternoon to visit with them and to hear their story. They shared how they met, how they fell in love, what they do for a living, how they struggle in life living in poverty. This amazing family were so warm and open. I aske them if they wanted more children. They shared that they did but because their daughter suffers with health problems they cannot. A lot of their time is taken caring for her. I asked them if they would mind sharing what her health problems were so we could pray for them. She was born with a heart defect! I sat stunned for a minute until I could compose myself. With tears in my eyes I shared Jenni's story. That their new home was donated by my parents in memory of her. We were all crying and overwhelmed at how God had orchestrated this whole meeting. God loves us so much that he looks after all the details. He lead me to choose this special family who are struggling with the same issues as Jennifer suffered with.

I know Jenni would be thrilled to know that there is a little girl not very different from her who now has a home to shelter her from the rain. A safe place for her to come home to. I am so thankful for my parents who do not have a lot of earthly material things but are investing in lives. All in memory of my niece. What satan meant for evil God used it for His purpose and for His glory. This time for a little girl who lives in El Salvador.