~Some Thoughts On Mirian's Life~

I remember the day we first met Mirian. It was one year ago this week. That is when we first learned that she had cancer. She had come asking for help for her sister-in-law with a baby that had been badly burned with hot coffee. Mirian told us also of her diagnosis. I remember my very first thought was that she was way too young to die of cancer. Chris shared the gospel with her that very first day. So began our ministry with their family.
I share just a few memories to give you a glimpse into their life.
I think back to one night after we had just met their family. Chris saw some children take things from our van and run. He followed after them. He did not know at that time whose children they were. He started asking people in the street if they knew which children might have stolen from him that lived in this direction. Everyone pointed him to Mirian's house. When Chris got to the house, he asked for the children to return the things to the van. Dilcia, the daughter, brought my umbrella from the back room. Mirian looked disappointed but not surprised. Santos, their dad, then came out swinging a belt and swearing at the children.
Chris asked the children to return the items to the van as an act of repentance on their part. The children complied but giggled as they followed Chris to the van, as though this were a new game. Most children here are not raised to think stealing is sin. It‘s a "take what you want" kind of world here. It’s an unending cycle, and it will take much prayer and effort to break it.
Jeremiah, Chris and other brothers have held many prayer meetings in Mirian's home over the last year. I remember one in particular. Lucas, Mirian's brother, was there.
(Lucas had told Chris before that he had at one time gone to church and knew the bible, but one day fell, and hit his head on a doorstep. He said he felt the Spirit leave him when he fell and he has felt "spiritually asleep" ever since.)
During prayer, Chris received a word from the Lord to share with Lucas. "Lucas is a pastor." And he is to be the spiritual leader of his home and for his sister. Lucas broke down and wept, begging The Lord for forgiveness. He then took out his Bible and rapidly began flipping through the pages, reading God’s promises aloud to Mirian to encourage her. I praise God for waking him up!
Lucas has been an inspiration to us all. It has been very encouraging to hear him almost every Sunday give a testimony of what the Lord is doing in his life. And he was devoted to helping his sister live out her last days with dignity and in as much comfort as possible.
But strongholds remain. For Mirian's husband, Santos, the spirit of alcoholism still holds him in its grip.
I think back to the last time I shared a meal together with Mirian in our home. She was feeling pretty good with just a bad cough at the time. Lucas and his wife, Merlyn were here with their children as well. The children were busy playing, and we sat and talked for some time after the meal. I will always remember Mirian's childlike smile and laugh.
I remember the last time I visited with Mirian. She was so thin and would barely eat. She was bedridden. Her smile had faded. It was difficult to see her like that. I knew it would not be long before she was no longer with us.
Then Jeremiah called last Friday morning and said that he had been with her until late the night before. She was now in her final moments. And within hours, she was gone.
The tradition here is to hold a "wake". To be up all night with family and friends that come to pay final respects. The body is in the coffin in the house usually with candles lit around. And everyone talks.
I chose not to go to the wake, but Chris and most of the children went. Coffee was made over an outside fire and served along with pan semilla (a traditional sweet bread to have with coffee) There was much singing, preaching, crying, and comforting. For Mirian, there was no fancy casket. No soft pretty satin lining. A simple, wooden box donated by the funeral home in the nearby town thanks to the mayor.
Santos was there and was drunk. There were several other men that were drunk also. They continued to buy alcohol and drink into the morning. Santos' brother was there and shared some of what their childhood was like and asked to be delivered from many strongholds. Chris came home early Saturday morning.
Saturday around 2pm was the funeral. We walked to Mirian's house passing Santos heading in the opposite direction. He was still drunk. We watched as her coffin, along with some flowers, was put in the back of a pickup to be driven by her nephew.
Tradition is to walk behind the casket as it makes it way to the cemetary. Mirian's children were smiling and laughing as though they were in a parade rather than taking their Mom's body to be put in her grave. They still did not seem to be aware of reality as they had not seemed the enitre time of her sickness.
As we walked behind the casket, my mind kept thinking of all the people's lives that were affected by Mirian's life. Mostly, I thought of Lucas and how he must feel so much of the responsibility for these children she had left behind.
We remained at the cemetary a long time. Hours.
With the tradition of casting a handful of dirt onto the coffin, the children finally began to break down and weep. It was good to see them be able to release and show some emotion. My heart was breaking for them.
Then Santos was there. I wondered if he would come. He started saying things like "That is good enough. Dust she came from and dust she is now."
My heart was breaking for him too. He walked over to me and said that these people had done so much for him and his family that he was never going to drink again.
He reached out his hand to me, and I held his hand and cried. After a minute or so, he turned and walked away from the cemetary.
I think about if we had been too busy to share the gospel with Mirian that first day, how different our lives would have been ......how different her life would have been..............
I do not know all that God has planned for us. Or for the people here in El Eden. I do not understand all His ways. But I know that His desire is for His people to turn from our wicked ways and to seek His face and humble ourselves and pray, and He will hear us, and heal our land.
And as Lucas shared in church Sunday morning, God is finished with the good work He began in Mirian's life.
Please continue to pray for Lucas and his family and for Santos and for the children.