Blind Old Ma Laura

April 3rd, 2006

She was one of my friends; the Liberians called her “Congo woman” since her heritage was from the American slaves. A plump, delightful old lady with light brown skin and cheerful eyes; I could not tell by looking at her that she suffered so much during the Liberian Civil War. Her already poor eyesight had been injured further by the war, so that all she could see was light and shadows. She told me one day how the Lord Jesus protected her during the civil war.

“When we were fleeing for our lives, I told my daughter and grandchildren to run on ahead, and leave me since I could not see to follow. When they objected I insisted, promising them that God would care for me.” Ma Laura further explained to me that Jesus helped her to dig an impression in the dirt, where she could lie flat and cover herself with leaves. She said she spent a long time lying very, very still, because she knew that if any of the fighters saw her, they would probably kill her. Later, a fighter did see her!

However, God gave Ma Laura favour in the soldier’s eyes. He said to her, “Oh, you should not have been treated like this, because you are a ‘Congo’ person just like me!” And he lifted her on his back and carried her to be reunited with her family. Now Old Ma Laura is reunited with her Jesus in Heaven, and she is no longer blind! She passed away into Glory at a happy old age.