In the early weeks of 1962, Arla Holstege entered the hospital for a minor female surgery. During the procedure, doctors learned that the young lady was pregnant. They worried that the drugs they had given her would adversely affect her baby. They were right. But by their inexcusable blunder, God would fulfil His perfect will. On October 14, a child was born to the Holstege's, a daughter they named Lori.

Lori was born tiny, only 4 lbs. 6 oz. But she seemed healthy and alert, and was sent home from the hospital at a few days old. Her parents, devout Christians, rejoiced in their "Heritage from the LORD". But as the months wore on, they became concerned for their little girl. Like other babies, Lori laughed a lot--but her smile wasn't quite right. She was brought to the doctor and found to be partially paralyzed. She would never walk without a serious limp. Later, the parents noticed that she wouldn't look at them when they spoke and that loud noises didn't scare her. Again to the doctors she went, only to learn: "Lori is profoundly deaf". A bit later, other irregularities were observed. The local doctors hadn't a clue, but sent her to the Mayo Clinic. The specialists there told the parents: "Lori is asphaic"--unable to speak due to brain damage. A few years later, they noticed she was drinking more than normal. Anything wrong? Diabetes, of course.

Lori attended special education classes where she gained an elementary knowledge of reading. At her best, she read on a second grade level, and wrote, perhaps as well as an advanced pre-schooler. She also was present at family worship, where she was exposed to the basics of the faith: God and man, sin and grace, heaven and hell. She also attended the Protestant Reformed Church--which she hated with a passion.

In 1982, Lori's church ordained a new pastor, Rev. Van Baren. He was a good man with a heart for children. As he looked over the young people in his church, he was disturbed that one of them--Lori--had received no formal Christian schooling. But how could she? She was deaf, mute, retarded, and physically challenged. But the Lord said, "Feed my lambs". And Pastor Van Baren meant to do just that. After all--he reasoned--hadn't God "chosen the foolish things of the world? The weak things? The base things? The things which are despised? Hadn't He chosen the things that are not to bring to nothing the things that are?" Yes He had. Then perhaps He had chosen Lori, too.

God uses means to bring about His desired ends. And normally, the means he uses are His people. Thus, a special person had to be chosen for the daunting task of reaching Lori for Christ. But who was up to it? Van Baren looked over his church roll and found a candidate, Gertrude Hoeksema. With 20 years of teaching experience, Mrs. Hoeksema planned to retire soon. Her pastor had just the thing to keep her from becoming bored: Lori. The Van Barens and the Hoeksemas went out for dinner, and the pastor made his plea. Mrs. Hoeksema was overwhelmed by the challenge. But also intrigued. That autumn, she'd go to work with a very special student.

On October 25, 1982, at nine o'clock sharp, a young lady walked clumsily into the classroom, smiled crookedly at the older woman, and sat down to begin her lessons in Bible. Mrs. Hoeksema wrote out a prayer which she would pray aloud and Lori would read silently. It was closed with a solemn "Amen"--spoken by the teacher, grunted by her student.

Mrs. Hoeksema began with the doctrine of sin.

"Lori, Do you know what sin is?" she wrote.

She took a piece of chalk and scribbled on the blackboard: "Bad--mad--temper". She then acted out her tantrums: contorted face, clenched fist, stamping feet. Lori had the idea.

Next, the doctrine of God was broached.

"Lori, How many Gods do we have?"

The index finger was raised.

"Lori, We have one God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Do you know that?"

She shook her head "No".

"The Three Persons are in heaven, Lori, but once God sent His Son Jesus to the earth to wash away our sins by dying on the cross. His blood washed them away".

Mrs. Hoeksema then showed Lori where these doctrines are taught in the Bible and urged her to read them over and over every day this week. Lori agreed. She then picked up her Bible and kissed it.

"Lori love. Lori learn" she wrote on the board. The first lesson was over.

As the weeks passed Lori's understanding grew and her behavior changed for the better. She was especially impressed with the words of Matthew 3:17: "This is My Beloved Son in Whom I am well pleased". She also rejoiced in John 10:11: "I am the Good Shepherd; the Good Shepherd gives His life for the sheep". On the latter, she wrote "Jesus = Shepherd. I understand". "The Still small voice" had spoken. Lori had heard it. She was "a new creature in Christ".

Conversion--if genuine--always produces fruit. Even in the handicapped. It began with a strong assurance. In telling the story of the Leper Cleansed, Mrs. Hoeksema wrote: "Jesus felt sorry for the man and healed his body from leprosy and his soul from sin. Do you know what Jesus gave to that man? Salvation".

The student replied: "to Lori, too".

A similar response came to the healing of the Deaf Man. Mrs. Hoeksema: "It is only Jesus who can open the ears of His people so they can hear His voice..."

Pointing to her heart, Lori wrote, "Hear Jesus now".

The assurance of God's love in Christ begot a confidence that expelled all fears: "Jesus is God--she wrote--God is love. Lori not afraid".

A spirit of prayer was also given. At first she but read the prayers Mrs. Hoeksema wrote for her. Later, however, she began writing her own prayers. And finally, she began bowing her head, moving her lips, and praying extemporaneously.

A desire to praise God and witness of His love soon possessed her soul. The Leper who "began to publish it much and blaze it abroad" deeply moved her. When Mrs. Hoeksema commented: "The man could not keep still", her student replied: "Lori not either".

Even public worship became a joy. What she hated more than anything else in the world became one of her chief loves. Mrs. Hoeksema taught Lori to read music. She would then tap out the metre and the deaf mute girl would actually sing in church! Not well, of course. But loudly. And to everyone's delight.

But what about the sermon? Rev. Van Baren was kind enough to prepare his sermon outline ahead of time and give her a copy. She would then read along as the pastor preached, soaking in "every word that proceeded from the mouth of God". When the pastor was away one Sunday, Mrs. Hoeksema's husband preached. Lori gave him the highest compliment a preacher can receive: "Too short".

The Lord's Supper was also a delight to the young believer. "Lori love Jesus--she wrote--"take the Lord's Supper". And in time, she did.

Lori was growing in grace. But the grace in which she was growing had a special religious cast to it. It was for Scripture, prayer, and the church that her love was increasing. But how about the other side--the mundane things of life?

Lori was lazy! One of the few times that Mrs. Hoeksema saw Lori's temper flare was against her mother who wanted her to do a few household chores. She raged and stomped and ran from the house. But her teacher reminded her of the Fifth Commandment: "Honor Father and Mother". She also argued from the example of Jesus who "Did not come to be served, but to serve". Lori apologized to her mother--and to God. Later, Lori's mother came to Mrs. Hoeksema asking her:

"What did you teach Lori, anyway? She would never work, and last week she did. She didn't like work, period. Now she's doing things in the house willingly".

The other practical change in her life was a new found contentment. Retarded children are--as a rule--strongly attached to personal items: a doll, a blanket, and so on. Lori was no exception to the rule. But when the family was away, a fire gutted her house, destroying everything in it. How did she respond?

"Are you upset" Mrs. Hoeksema asked.

The reply: "All gone. Inside burn up. God take care".

Lori and Mrs. Hoeksema had enjoyed four very good years together. The former had progressed from a nearly autistic child to a lively, outgoing young Christian. The latter had learned the sufficiency of God's grace, whatever the challenge.

On August 25, 1986, the phone rang at the Hoeksema house. Lori was sick and had been hospitalized. They drove quickly to the hospital where they learned that their young friend had pulmonary hypertension. Mr. Hoeksema came to her bed and prayed over the sick girl as his wife stroked her arm. They would never see her again...this side of glory. At 11:00 that night, Lori Holstege could hear, speak, and think clearly in the Presence of Jesus Christ.

Her last words, scribbled from her hospital bed, were: "I belong to Jesus".

Such a story touches the stoniest heart. But surely, its meant to do more than touch. It must also teach. What does it teach us?