The Tear

To read this story from the beginning, click HERE.

The next time Liya and Jackie went to visit Rohiza's family, there was no bad smell. They sat on the floor against the opposite wall from the last visit, the wall by the door. The room seemed brighter and a breeze brushed against Jackie. She noticed a ceiling fan and that the television was actually on a proper television stand. Jackie saw pictures on the wall. Had they been there before? There were the swirly designs of Arabic and a large framed picture of a bride and groom. On this day Jackie saw familiar faces and they were so excited to see the two ladies. Why had she thought the room looked so dirty before? It really wasn't so bad. In reality, nothing had changed but Jackie's perspective.

"Where were you last week?" Intan asked.

"We gathered together and waited for you but you didn't come!" Rohiza exclaimed.

Rohiza and Intan still had insane teeth, but Jackie didn't notice them so much. She still couldn't understand a word Rohiza said, but Jackie could see a bit of her heart. On this day Liya and Jackie learned more names and met more people. Rohiza served lukewarm chocolate milk and over-fried blobs of banana pieces dipped in batter. Jackie knew the family couldn't afford to spare this, there were so many mouths to feed.

Jackie looked around the room. There are 16 of people sitting on the floor and a few more in one of the rooms. The floor...it didn't seem all that dirty after all. The TV incessantly played a scratchy soap opera, the girls in the bedroom listened to loud music. A dad, another son of Rohiza, reclined on the floor with no shirt on and was yelling at his baby son. Kids came in and out, alternately playing and watching the visitors. Yep, it was still a lot of craziness all in one little house.

Liya and Jackie tried to converse with Rohiza and Intan. Of course, Jackie mused, they were the two ladies who were the hardest to understand.

Then the blind man entered. He quickly joined the conversation and he seemed very happy that the visitors were back. Liya told the story of Noah. They listened and when she was done, she asked them, "What was the most interesting thing about the story?"

This made for lively conversation. As people came and went, Jackie and Liya visited with different adults. They met a family friend, the great grandmother, and several husbands. At one point one of the young moms left on a motorcycle with one of the men.

"Where are they going?" Liya asked.

"That's her husband. They are going to the hospital to visit her father-in-law. He was in an accident. He broke his jaw...and shoulder...and leg...and foot..."

Jackie lost count of the places he'd been injured as the comments went on.

Rohiza's husband had been killed in a vehicle accident. The blind man had injured his eyes as a result of a vehicle accident. Jackie wondered who else in the family had been in accidents, but she didn't really want to know, afraid of what the answer might be. Bad luck seemed to follow this family around.

At some point in the visit, Jackie asked the shirtless man about his children. He was half-watching his two little ones and half-watching the television. In fact, to keep from having to chase after his toddler, he put a pair of squeeky shoes on the little guy so he could hear how far off the front porch the little one was venturing without actually having to get up. The little boy was two years old and the little girl was a year old. Rudy and Rani were their names. The father said he wasn't working because of migraines.

"I'm stressed," he said.

"Why are you stressed?" Liya asked.

"Because of having to watch these kids," he said. "It's very hard."

"Yes, life is hard. What do you do to ease your stress? Does God help you?"

"I have to pray and do good."

"Is that what you do to go to heaven too?"

"Yes."

"What if you are very good, but sometimes you do bad?"

"You have to try to do more good."

"Did you know that you can be sure of going to heaven? God made a way so that we don't have to worry or be stressed about that. There is a way. Have you heard of Jesus?"

"No, I have not heard."

No one here has heard of Jesus. And He is the One they need the most. 

Jackie felt a strange emotion come over her. A little bit of fear...a sad fear.

What if they don't get it, Lord? What if they keep hearing it, but they don't get it? I am already starting to love this family and the thought that they could reject You is already gripping me. If they reject You, it's going to break my heart. Oh Lord, I guess Your heart is already broken over them. I'm just now growing to love them and You are already there. I don't really want to get to know them any more, Lord, because I can't bear to know them and then know what it will be like for them if they do not choose You. 

A tear. Not a physical one. Not a wet drop. But a tear nonetheless. A figurative one. It rolled down Jackie's cheek. And figuratively, she took another step forward. She knew it was dangerous. But it was already too late anyway. This family was growing on her and God was giving her love for them.

It's going to hurt, isn't it Lord? OK. I'm going to open my heart. I'm going to love them. I'm going to trust You with what comes next.