Dear brothers and sisters. My husband Paul and I want to testify of God's miracle in our life.

Our baby, Arella, is exactly one month and one day old today(21 Mar 04). She weighs three kg, and is in the pink of health. Her delivery into the world was as smooth as one can ever pray for, with no complications whatsoever.

But just over a month ago, the situation was completely different. In early February 2004, the doctor had advised for the baby to be delivered pre-mature, around her 34th week. There may also be a need for me to go through a C-section, and the threat of fetal distress to the baby. And the pre-maturely born baby will be
required to stay in the neo-natal ICU. Needless to say, I was totally freaked out by the news!

Up until then, the pregnancy had been uneventful. She is to be our second child, the first being a son, who is now three years old. Then came the bad news that the baby had stopped growing at 1.7 kg. For some unknown reason, the baby simply stopped growing. One week, two, three weeks later, and after many visits to the doctor, the situation was the same - no weight gain and the baby remained at 1.7 kg. Finally the doctor recommended that the baby be pre-maturely delivered. Both my husband and I were very much traumatized by the news, and we were totally wrecked with
worry and disappointment.

However, on 8 February, things started to change. God reminded us that day that He was in charge and that we should place our entire trust in Him.

We were in church that day when the word was released from 1 Peter 2:19 (For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God.). For some reason, I felt that the word was meant for me. Yes, I was suffering and it was for unjust reasons. And yes, I am to be conscious of God. There and then, I was comforted because I knew that the Lord will get me through the ordeal.

On 11 February, in obedience and faith, we went to the Church office and asked Pastor to pray for us and the baby. But there was still no change after that. The baby remained at 1.7 kg. Nevertheless, we remained undaunted. On 15 February, after the Church service, we again met Pastor at Gideon Hall and asked him to pray for us once again. Pastor then placed his hands on my shoulder and prayed for weight gain to come to the baby. He also asked for the baby to be well.

As Pastor prayed, I could feel the baby suddenly stirring and moving within me, and somehow, I knew for sure that all will be well! I left Church that day, completely re-assured, and was truly at peace.

And guess what? Remember that this happened on 15 February. Over the next few days, the baby put on 500g! And on 20 February 2004, just five days later, I delivered Arella by natural birth. And she weighed a normal 2.34 kg! Praise the Lord!

All's well, just as the Lord had promised it to be, and the delivery was uncomplicated. The baby did not even have to be in ICU. Things went so smoothly that both of us were able to be discharged from hospital just 2 days later.

Today, brothers and sisters, Arella is one month old and weighs in at 3 kg.

Thank you, Pastor and all our Oikos members for praying for us.
And above all, we want to say a big thank-you to our Father in Heaven, for His wonderful grace and love for all of us. Our Jehovah Jireh is truly our Deliverer in times of need.

Hallelujah!