Читать книгу Holy Smoke! Unholy Fire! - Robert C McKibben - Страница 8

On a hot summer Sunday afternoon in central Florida members of the church youth group went water skiing. Youth workers and parents brought their boats providing a cool refreshing diversion from the heat. Many brought their entire families to enjoy the afternoon at the lake.

Larry invited his best friend to come with the youth. They had been best buds all through elementary school and now junior high. This was the first time, however, that Larry had ever invited his friend to a church function. As the youth were taking turns skiing around the lake, Larry and his friend swam and splashed and had a great time. When Larry’s turn to ski came he let his friend go first. After a couple of laps around the lake, his friend dropped off the rope and Larry took his turn.

The friend was wading back toward the shoreline watching Larry speed away. As he turned toward the beach he accidentally bumped into someone. About to apologize, the friend couldn’t believe what he was looking at. He had bumped into a three-year-old little girl – face down in the water! He grabbed the little girl and began running toward the shore. He tried to call for help but he didn’t know anyone’s name. The friend just started yelling as loud as he could but no one noticed. The boats were making too much noise and no one seemed to hear.

Once he reached the beach, the friend began giving the little girl mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. He had learned how at a scout meeting, but had never even witnessed the real thing, much less done it himself. Finally, people began to realize what was happening and began crowding around. The child’s mother began crying hysterically. Other moms took her to the pavilion trying to comfort her. The little girl’s father just knelt down beside the young boy and his daughter, quietly praying and looking for any signs of life. An ambulance was called, the friend continued administering mouth-to-mouth, and all began praying. It seemed like an eternity before the ambulance arrived. Larry’s friend just kept breathing into the little girls lungs. Just as the paramedics were walking onto the beach, the little girl began to cough, and then cry. Larry and his parents helped the friend to his feet and quickly took him home. The little girl lived! Larry’s invited friend, who no one else knew, gave the little girl the breath of life.