AAE -- Wishes Of The Heart

Chapter 51

written by LoveCR2 -- 2005

edited by All-About-AAE -- 2017

 

"Recently, I was visited by an angel, who delivered a message to me about miracles." -- Yoon Hyung-Chul

 

 

RURAL KANGWON-DO...

 

"It's so thoughtful of you to come today, Director Yoon ..."

 

Colorful orange and yellow leaves drift down from the trees on a sunny Saturday afternoon, as the convent's Mother Superior strolls with Hyung-Chul along a wooded path on the Catholic orphanage's expansive campus.

 

"MBS is like a family," he replies. "After Huh Young-Mi's sudden decision to return and take vows, I admit I've had some concerns."

 

"That was a complete surprise to us, too," the elderly nun replies. "Although Anna said she was happy here, I'd felt that underneath the smiles, she wasn't content. But that's why the formation process is as long and arduous as it is, to force the supplicant to truly search her heart for the nature of God's calling, before making a life commitment.

 

"So she can change her mind at any point?"

 

"Yes. Up to the taking of permanent vows," she informs him. "And even after that, if circumstances warrant. But we hope that by then, everyone is in agreement that this is God's work."

 

 

As they enter a cleared area, Hyung-Chul hears the sounds of construction...

 

"Speaking of God's work, what is going on over there?" he asks, his curiosity aroused by the sight of a dozen men laboring on the partially-completed shell abutting an existing building.

 

"A miracle, Director Yoon!" she says enthusiastically.

 

"I thought miracles only happened in ancient times," he comments skeptically.

 

"We see miracles here all the time," the nun states in a matter-of-fact tone, pointing to the rising brick walls. "In this case, a new long-term rehabilitation wing for the hospital."

 

As they come closer, Hyung-Chul observes, "It just like any other building. Why do you call it a miracle?"

 

"Because of how it happened as a true answer to our prayers for the last year. About a month ago, during vespers, we were asking God again to help us expand our medical ministry. Then, when we came out of the chapel, we found a stack of bricks and other building materials right where they are building now," she recounts the unusual incident. "The next day, also during vespers, more materials arrived. But the next day, we were watching, and intercepted the truck driver as he was unloading."

 

"So who was the mysterious donor?"

 

"That's the puzzling part," she admits. "Of course we investigated, not wanting to accept what seemed a mistake. But the shipping company confirmed the delivery orders were valid and paid for anonymously."

 

"You'd never told anyone about this?"

 

"It was known only among ourselves, and to God," she confirms.

 

"But what about the workers? Where did they come from?"

 

"I can answer that, Director Yoon," a voice calls from the construction site, and a figure familiar to Hyung-Chul appears, wearing hardhat and safety glasses, wielding a framing hammer. He walks up and shakes Hyung-Chul's hand in greeting.

 

"I was visiting Young-Mi with Song Jin-Suk and saw the piles of bricks and lumber," Kui-Sung explains. "So I asked the Sisters what they intended to do with them."

 

"Manager Jin's appearance that day, just after the deliveries, was part of the miracle, too," the nun adds.

 

"Right," Kui-Sung confirms. "We were planning to visit the week before, but I got tied up at the last minute on another construction site. When the men heard the Sisters had all the materials, but no one to build, they volunteered their weekends to help out."

 

"What an incredible coincidence," Hyung-Chul remarks.

 

"Not coincidence," she declares confidently, certain in her beliefs, "but God's will."

 

Hyung-Chul nods, and asks, "When will the work be done?"

 

"We'll close up the building in a few weeks, before cold weather," Kui-Sung answers. "Then we'll need a few months to finish the interior before the medical staff can move patients in."

 

"Is there anything else you need for the hospital, Sister?" Hyung-Chul offers.

 

"Thank you, but it's all taken care of," she declines. "God know our needs, and will provide sufficiently, just like with the building."

 

"She's right. It's amazing. We have exactly what we need, down to the brick and nail. It's as if someone carefully planned the whole project from the beginning," Kui-Sung marvels, sending Hyung-Chul a knowing wink.

 

"What's so amazing?" the Mother Superior replies with a chuckle. "The Lord created the entire world; I'd think a hospital wing would be easy for Him!"

 

The two men share a laugh at her joke, then Kui-Sung announces, "I need to get back to work. My pleasure seeing you today, Director."

 

"Mine, too, Mr. Jin."

 

 

As Kui-Sung returns to work, Hyung-Chul and the Mother Superior continue on their walk.

 

"Are you praying for anything else, Sister?" he asks.

 

"Why do you ask?"

 

 "It's about the other reason I came today," he answers. "Although raised a Catholic, as an young adult I left the Church. I didn't see how God, or miracles, had any relevance in today's world. But recently, I was visited by an angel who delivered a message to me -- you do believe in angels, Sister?"

 

"Certainly!"

 

"This angel told me that God doesn't speak just to those with a religious vocation, but to anyone with an open heart willing to listen."

 

"I believe that, too," the nun agrees.

 

"I never thought of myself like that, but I decided I'd listen...

 

 

As they are speaking, a delivery truck rumbles up the lane and stops nearby. The driver leans out the cab window and asks: "Sister, where should I unload these computers?"

 

"We didn't order any computers," she replies, puzzled.

 

The driver shows her the delivery order, "This is your address, right?"

 

The Mother Superior looks at Hyung-Chul suspiciously. "What do you know about this, Director Yoon?"

 

He smiles. "We'd just replaced the computers in our office, and were about to dispose of them, when that angel appeared, and told me God wanted these as part of a new technology center, complete with satellite link, for your school."

 

 

"Sister?" the truck driver calls to her again. "Please, I have another load to deliver after this."

 

"Drive over to the school, and ask for Sister Agnes. She'll show you where to unload," the nun directs him, pointing. "That way."

 

"Thanks." He waves and drives off in the direction she'd indicated.

 

After the truck had pulled away, the nun turns back to Hyung-Chul, and asks directly,. "Director Yoon, was it really an angel who spoke to you?"

 

"Yes, a true angel," he answers.

 

Seeming satisfied, the nun divulges the rest of her story to Hyung-Chul: "We were praying that God would provide a way to bring our education ministry into the computer era, not knowing what to expect after the hospital wing."

 

"They say God works in mysterious ways, right?" he muses.

 

"So it appears," she smiles. "He chose you to be the answer to those prayers. Let me show you the room in the school we'd planned for the new technology center. Anna is teaching today, so you'll have a chance to speak with her..."