Like Olive Shoots
 
"Sons are indeed a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward"(Ps 127:3)
 

After seven years

We were plunged in despair. Seven years of married life and yet no children! Three times my wife became pregnant, but, unfortunately, she suffered a miscarriage on each occasion. My blood group would not agree with hers - that was the doctors' verdict.
 
In this state of desperation, when I came home on leave from Dubai last June, we attended a retreat at Divine. It was a time of grace for both of us. During one of the sessions Fr. Panackal announced that Shiny, who suffered a miscarriage three times and her husband Jose, would be blessed with a child soon. A month after my return to Dubai I heard of my wife's prgnancy and in due course my child was born. We named him Christy Jacob. A gift from Christ!
 

Chakunni Jose,
Thommana House, Melur

After thirteen years!
 
"Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table"(Ps128:3)
 
We named him Emmanuel. For, was he not a proof of God being with us! It was after thirteen long years of futile medication that my wife and I went for a retreat to Christ Bhavan. "Believe in the Lord Jesus; and you will be saved, you and your family"(Acts 16:31). This word of God touched our hearts. We placed all our trust in God and prayed, took part in intercessory prayer for others, made a retreat at Divine and once attended the Saturday prayer service at Potta. In two years' time a son was born to us and we went for another retreat with the new-born child.
 
God was with us at every moment of our life and particularly in and through our son, Emmanuel.
 
T.G Meckenzie,
Thalakatti House,
Ochanthuruthu Ernakulam Dt.