As I Believed So it Was Done to me
 

For 5 years after marriage, we were childless. Great was our sorrow. I had 2 miscarriages in the early years of my marriage. When I was pregnant the 2nd time I quit my job since doctor advised bedrest. But during this time my house was burgled and I lost all my jewelry and some other things worth Rs. 70,000. With that tension on my mind I had my 2nd miscarriage just after Easter Sunday. I was completely shattered at this stage. Why was God punishing us? I was very angry with Jesus Christ and the robbery and now this miscarriage. After the robbery we had been happy with the thought that at least I was pregnant. So we forgot our sorrow about the theft. But I was deprived of that happiness also. I cried to Jesus for help. Then I thought of TABOR ASHRAM. I asked my husband to take me to Kalyan since I did not know the place but he couldn't . Then I came to know that Madu Island parish was arranging a trip to Potta Ashram. I was very happy. I asked my husband, but he was not interested, so he told me to go alone. I gave my name and then informed my neighbour about the trip. She also accompanied me.

We were about 40 people. Since most of them were Marathi- speaking people, a Marathi retreat was organised for all of us in July 1996, at which I had a chance to do some translation which I had never done before. Though I was nervous I prayed to God to help me so that our Marathi-speaking crowd would understand and participate in the retreat. I prayed not only for myself but for all the childless couples in this world that God bless them all with at least one child. Though our group was small, Jesus showered so many blessings on us everyday. I was blessed with the gift of tongues along with two others. At our healing service it was announced that God was blessing one couple with the gift of a child. I was quite sure that it was me and nobody else. Yet I prayed to God to bless the other couples in my group also. At the end of the retreat everybody thanked Jesus Christ for showering so many blessings on all of us. In January 1997 we, a group of about 10 people, went to TABOR ASHRAM for an overnight retreat.On our return, I went to the doctor since my legs were swollen very badly. I was confirmed pregnant. I was so happy. I was advised complete bedrest from the 1st month. I was hospitalized during my 8th month and after much waiting I was operated on August 6th 1997 and I had my first child in my arms. Praise the Lord. Thank you Jesus! God blessed me with a beautiful daughter. I thank and praise God for giving me this happiness all this time. Praise the Lord! Thank you Jesus.

"I call upon you, O Lord, come quickly to me; give ear to my voice when I call to you. Let my prayer be counted as incense before you and the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice" (Ps.141:1-2).

Mrs. Theresa Gomes
Andheri, Mumbai