A double tragedy began Maggie LaBrecque’s prayers for two Central Asian women who are from a people group near and dear to her heart. Her prayers continued until there was good news to share.
LaBrecque serves among many people groups, including a minority group the International Mission Board team refers to as the Four Corners people because they live across four countries in Central Asia. Several years ago, LaBrecque met Eloise, who is from the Four Corners people group, while she was in the capital of her country waiting for her visa. Eloise is the first Christian in her family.
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The women kept in touch after LaBrecque moved into the mountains to serve among minority people groups living in that region. LaBrecque visited Eloise on trips to the capital.
On one visit, Eloise shared that an extended family member named Moira died during the pandemic.
In the cultures of LaBrecque’s adopted country, immediate family members are usually the last to hear when a loved one dies. Extended family members, friends or often acquaintances arrange for the body to be returned to the family. Many in this people group live scattered throughout the region as well as other countries. If they pass away, their bodies must be transported home, sometimes by vehicle on hours-long or days-long journeys. The family learns of the death upon arrival.
LaBrecque said it is hard for Western minds to comprehend why the immediate family would be the last to hear, but she said it might be to spare them the agonizing wait for the long transport home. The terrain and quality of the roads causes driving to take more than 16 hours.
When Moira’s body was returned to her hometown after a 20-hour trip over land, her mother saw the body and collapsed, passing away from a heart attack.
Eloise pleaded with LaBrecque to pray for this family and for their salvation.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Tessa Sanchez and originally published by the International Mission Board.
