Little Choo

When Little Choo first came to Pearl Home, her whereabouts were a mystery — she seemed to be homeless, yet sometimes seemed to be staying at someone else's place. In the early years of knowing her, she disappeared suddenly more than once, only to reappear months later.

Little Choo cannot tolerate noise — it makes her agitated, even angry. When angry, she would pound the table and shout, like a bomb that could go off at any moment. Because she needed an income, Tera began teaching her to string rice beads into crosses and ornaments to sell, to help make ends meet. Stringing beads requires a calm mind and full concentration — it became a source of healing that steadied her emotions.

Recently, Little Choo's mental state has improved a great deal. In her heart there is a longing to be reunited with her family. After a heart-to-heart talk, we suggested to her: "You need to see a doctor, and have a place to live and a job, before your family will accept you back." For the first time, Little Choo not only accepted the suggestion but was willing to let us accompany her to see a psychiatrist.

The diagnosis was schizophrenia. With the social worker's help, Little Choo decided on her own to move into the dormitory provided by her workplace — because her employer was willing to give her time to adjust. "A boss this good — it would be foolish not to take the chance!"

Little Choo asked, "Why is it that when I ask for help on my own it never works, but with you it always does?" The volunteer answered her: "God gives people two great capacities — a sense of accomplishment through work, and relationships with others. You've been on strike in both areas for too long. It's time to start again and take on the challenge."

Years of companionship have finally borne fruit in this breakthrough. She no longer gets angry or pounds the table as often; she smiles more, and she has let people draw close to her. What the Father has done truly exceeds what we asked or imagined.