A Water Bottle and a Little Girl’s Prayer

Helen Roseveare served as a missionary doctor to Africa. Despite her best efforts, a mother she attended in the labor ward died leaving a tiny baby and a two-year-old daughter. To keep the premature baby warm, someone went to fill a hot water bottle. Unfortunately, the bottle broke and they had no other bottles.

The following noon when Dr. Roseveare prayed with the orphanage children, she told them about the tiny baby mentioning the hot water bottle and also the sister crying because her mother had died.

Ten-year-old Ruth prayed, "Please, God, send us a water bottle. It'll be no good tomorrow, God, as the baby will be dead, so please send it this afternoon."

While Dr. Roseveare gasped inwardly at the audacity of the prayer, Ruth added, "And would You please send a dolly for the little girl so she'll know You really love her?"

How could Dr. Roseveare honestly say, "Amen"? She had been in Africa for almost four years and had never received a parcel from home. And she certainly had no place to purchase these supplies.

But at mid afternoon, a car arrived at her front door and someone left a parcel. She sent for the children, and excitement mounted as she lifted out brightly colored, knitted jerseys, bandages, and a box of raisins.

Then she felt the...  could it really be?... She pulled out a brand-new hot water bottle! Ruth rushed forward, crying, "If God has sent the bottle, He must have sent the dolly, too!"

Rummaging to the bottom of the box, she pulled out a small, beautifully dressed dolly.

That parcel, packed by Dr. Roseveare's former Sunday school class, had been on the way for five months.

Thank You, Father, that our faith never catches You unprepared to answer our prayers.

"Before they call, I will answer" (Isaiah 65:24).