Chapter 21 - Page 301 - Lost In The Woods

   Jim looked down and noticed Shanha was still holding her teddy bear. He started to kneel down to hug her, but Shanha's mother continued to talk. "God showed me in a vision how you and Rhasha went to the hospital every day. I saw how you prayed for Shanha, and how you showered her with your affection. I saw you and Rhasha kissing her and holding her hand and brushing her hair."

   Shanha's mother couldn't control herself any longer. She began to cry. As she sobbed, she continued to speak, wanting to show Jim and Rhasha her appreciation. Jim kept his arms around her as she talked. "I could see Shanha's sunken face and her swollen stomach, her twisted legs and her discolored skin. I heard you tell Shanha how pretty her eyes were as you smiled at her. I saw how you read the Bible to her and talked to her about Jesus. I saw how she loves you and Rhasha, and I know it will be hard for her to go home with me. I know it will be hard for you and Rhasha, too."

   Shanha's mother pulled her arms from around Jim's neck and buried her face in her hands. Jim leaned over to pick Shanha up. Rhasha rose and put her arm through Jim's arm. "Sweetheart," Jim said to Shanha's mother as tears seeped between her fingers, "what is your name?"

   She stopped crying, but kept her hands over her face. "Francis," she whimpered, "But everyone calls me Fran."

   Jim was still holding Shanha, but Francis was standing close enough for Shanha to put her arms around her mother's neck. She'd heard everything her mother said. "Mama," she said, "I love you too."

   Francis uncovered her face and kissed her daughter on the cheek, beaming with pleasure.

   Jim kissed Shanha on the other cheek. "Francis," he said, "Rhasha and I love Shanha very much, but we know it's right for her to be with her mother." When Jim said that, tears began to run down Rhasha's face again.