Dr. Helen Roseveare was a missionary doctor to the Congo, Africa. The people came to love and respect her and began to call her 'Mama Luca'.
But the Congo was a seriously dangerous place back in 1953 to 1973. (Incidently, nothing much has changed since then.) Rebels roamed and Mama Luca was captured. She was beaten and raped repeatedly. But the people who called her 'Mama Luca' spoke up for her and eventually she was released back into their fold.
During her time there she built two hospitals and nurses' training centers. Both of these were destroyed by warring factions. Finally, a third was built and that stayed. Additionally, there was an orphanage nearby, so around the hospital there were children present.
One day a baby was born too soon and sadly, the mother died. How were they to keep the baby warm? They needed a hot water bottle but the one they had burst. Mama Luca got a group together, including the orphange children, to pray. One young girl prayed that God would send a hot water bottle and bring it by that very afternoon!
Even Mama Luca stuttered on that one. She wasn't sure she could say, "Amen" even though she needed that water bottle so badly and did trust in God. But, they were in the middle of a jungle, far from any pharmacy. How could this be possible!?
But you know, God always knows best. He knows what we need before we do. He knows when and where we'll need it too. Isaiah 65:24 assures us,
"Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear" (ESV).
So the confidence and faith of that young girl was justified.
Way off in far away England the Lord must have triggered a cheerful giver to add in a hot water bottle to a box of medical supplies destined for that very spot in the jungle where it was needed that day of the young girl's prayer. Who would have thought? A hot water bottle in a hot jungle sounds redunant, yet the Lord had nudged someone to send one along to Dr. Roseveare.
Well, Mama Luca went to her hut a short time after that emergency prayer meeting. Lo and behold, there was a parcel on her doorstep! She brought it to the prayer group and opened it. You guess it, there was a hot water bottle tucked inside!
Praise the Lord. Let us sing of the goodness of God!
The point of telling this wonderful and true story of God's grace, love and provision is to demonstrate how believers participate in the Holy Spirit, and do so even from great distances. Younger and older ones can be involved.
Every follower of Jesus Christ has the Holy Spirit and therefore can "participate in the Spirit" (ESV) or as the NIV states, "common sharing of the Spirit".
As you read Philippians 2:1 & 2 in both versions you'll see the 'any's' and 'if's' along with these phrases. When we have any of these 'any's' and 'if's' they will bring like-mindedness to us. We will have this participation in the Spirit like a team member. These are expressions of humility.
These expressions of humility were found in the jungle prayer gathering. They each participated in the Holy Spirit as they prayed. They showed their dependance and humility in the sight of God.
Nowadays, this still extends to the body of believers in any given church setting or wherever they gather. Each and every follower of Jesus Christ has this privilege. God will amaze you with the results.
Father God, again and again You demonstsrate Your love and care to us, Your children. You even answer before we call. You are truly awesome and amazing. Help us to be evermore dependant upon You and to grow in our humility so we can express it out to benefit others. I ask in Your Son Jesus' precious name. Amen.
~ ERC January 2026 ~
Based on Philippians 2:1 & 2 ESV and NIV, and Isaiah 65:24 ESV.
Sing, What a Friend We Have in Jesus, along with Lydia Walker.
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