60 There had been hands stretched out to help, and I can only pray that by the stretching out they became better for it, even as the man with the withered hand found restoration when the Master said "stretch forth thy hand." Even as Christ himself stretched forth his hands in death, and drew all men to Him.
The open hand is the blossoming of the growing heart.
When we arrived at Lourenco Marques we met the same untold kindness. No time and expense were spared by the local community to make things easy, and we were grateful. After the ship had sailed for America and I had been given permission to wait for my husband in Lourenco Marques, I went to see the agent for my husband's company. I had hardly introduced myself when he asked us to go and live at his home. He and his wife were kindness itself, and I do not know how I should have survived the collapse I had, if I had not been with these new friends. Days on the "Asama" were days to be gotten through with grit teeth. I frequently had to try and lie down for a few minutes before each meal to feel well enough to go to the dining room, and then after the meal I made for my mattress to keep the meal down. When the weather was stormy, I washed the baby's napkins in salt water about 2:00 a.m. This meant the dinner was so well settled that I wouldn't lose it, and also gave me another sleep to get over any ill effects from washing. Also, the baby was sound asleep and could be left without difficulty. I had a good laugh one day. I overheard a father seek out the Swiss liaison officer and ask how he was to ·manage about washing diapers with only half an hour of fresh water at his disposal. This Swiss did evidently not know the term "diapers." After this man had repeated the query several times the Swiss suddenly understood.
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