珍妮薇必須成為她三個孩子的「眼睛」，因孩子們一出生都患有先天性白內障。他們一家住在西非貝南共和國，每當她帶著孩子們到村子的時候，她都得要將嬰兒綁在背上，然後緊抓著兩個大孩子的胳膊和手，時刻提防危險發生。在珍妮薇所處的文化中，人們認為眼盲乃是巫術導致的，珍妮薇只能絕望地向上帝呼救。

後來，村子裡有人告訴她關於恩惠號醫療船（Mercy Ships）的事。船上的醫療人員為病人施行重大的手術，他們效法耶穌的樣式，將盼望與醫治帶給貧窮人。珍妮薇雖然不確定他們能否提供治療，但仍然帶著孩子前去求助。孩子們經過手術後醒來，眼睛都能看得見了！

上帝會幫助那些被黑暗籠罩的人，將祂的亮光帶給他們。先知以賽亞宣告這位上帝是「外邦人的光」（以賽亞書42章6節），祂會「開瞎子的眼」（7節），不僅讓他們的眼睛恢復視力，還使他們的心眼明亮。上帝也應許會「攙扶」祂子民的手（6節），讓瞎子重見光明，給住在黑暗中的人帶來亮光。

如果你感到自己被黑暗籠罩，要緊握盼望不放，持守這位慈愛天父的應許，並祈求祂的亮光照亮黑暗！

Genevieve had to be the “eyes” for her three children, each born with congenital cataracts. Whenever she took them into their village in the Republic of Benin of western Africa, she strapped the baby onto her back and held on to the arm and hand of her older two, always looking for danger. In a culture where blindness was thought to be caused by witchcraft, Genevieve despaired and cried out to God for help.

Then a man from her village told her about Mercy Ships, a ministry that provides vital surgeries to honor Jesus’ model of bringing hope and healing to the poor. Uncertain if they could help, she approached them. When the children woke up after their surgeries, they could see!

God’s story has always been about coming alongside those shrouded in darkness and bringing His light. The prophet Isaiah declared that God would be “a light for the Gentiles” (Isaiah 42:6). He would “open eyes that are blind” (v. 7), restoring not only physical sight but spiritual vision as well. And He promised to “take hold” of His people’s hand (v. 6). He restored sight to the blind and brought light to those living in the darkness.

If you feel overcome by darkness, cling to hope as you embrace the promises of our loving Father while asking for His light to bring illumination.