02/15/2005: Clinging to the Word of God
Clinging to the Word of God
“I always have the habit of bringing my Bible wherever I go.” For Uma, “wherever I go” included a terrifying water ride and helicopter rescue December 26.
Uma is a Believers Church member in Tamil Nadu, India. Taking her Bible with her as usual, she was drawing water at the river, talking with a couple of other villagers, when she saw the huge wave sweeping inland only a few yards away.
Calling to the others to join her, she watched the water blast through her village with a noise she described as “like a freight train.” When a second and larger wave broke, she and the two people standing with her clung together as the water swept them away. And Uma clung to her Bible.
Uma cried out for the Lord to rescue them. She held on to the young man and woman, and at the same time grasped her precious Word of God. They clung to a palm tree, and when it was uprooted were swept with it for miles. Eventually, the young woman grew weak, and she died holding Uma's hand.
The waters kept carrying Uma, dragging her through a thick clump of long, sharp thorns. She was badly cut, adding her own blood to the water already full of death around her. Separated from both the young man and woman, Uma grabbed hold of a damaged boat that floated near her. It was her own fishing boat. What had been the source of her livelihood was now her source of survival, and she held onto it until a helicopter pilot spotted her and rescued her. It had been ten hours since the wave swept her away.
When a GFA correspondent spoke with her a month later, Uma still clutched her beloved Bible. She thanks the Lord for saving her despite her injuries and the hours of danger. Poor even before the tsunami, the only thing she has to hold onto now is her faith. Her husband, a leader in their village, was once a strong believer but is not walking closely with the Lord. Please pray for his renewed faith through their recent experiences, and continued strength and recovery for Uma as she continues sharing her amazing story.
