WEBVTT NOTE This file was exported by MacCaption version 7.0.11 to comply with the WebVTT specification dated March 23, 2013. 00:00:00.667 --> 00:00:02.936 align:start line:79% position:44% size:78% male announcer: The following program is sponsored by Friends 00:00:02.936 --> 00:00:04.938 align:start line:85% position:44% size:78% of Life Outreach International. 00:00:06.740 --> 00:00:08.876 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% Lauren Burns: J.D. went over, and he pried open those 00:00:08.876 --> 00:00:12.613 align:start line:63% position:50% size:65% accordion-style doors, and my mom went over, and she 00:00:12.613 --> 00:00:13.947 align:start line:69% position:48% size:28% spotted me. 00:00:13.947 --> 00:00:15.315 align:start line:63% position:50% size:45% Randy Robison: Do you remember that? 00:00:15.315 --> 00:00:16.650 align:start line:63% position:47% size:63% Blynda Lane: You do, what was that moment like? 00:00:16.650 --> 00:00:19.453 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% Lauren: She tapped on that window, and it's foggy, and her 00:00:19.453 --> 00:00:22.956 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% hair is covered, and I looked at my mom, and I thought it looks 00:00:22.956 --> 00:00:24.691 align:start line:69% position:44% size:78% just like her, but it can't be. 00:00:24.691 --> 00:00:27.327 align:start line:63% position:47% size:58% At that moment, it's like I went into shock. 00:00:27.327 --> 00:00:29.596 align:start line:69% position:47% size:63% I thought I was dreaming. 00:00:29.596 --> 00:00:32.833 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% announcer: Lauren Burns tells her covert international rescue 00:00:32.833 --> 00:00:35.535 align:start line:69% position:50% size:70% story, next on "Life Today." 00:00:36.570 --> 00:00:46.580 align:start line:85% position:48% size:18% [music] 00:00:46.580 --> 00:00:53.854 align:start line:85% position:48% size:18% [music] 00:00:53.854 --> 00:00:55.222 align:start line:69% position:44% size:78% Randy: Welcome to "Life Today." 00:00:55.222 --> 00:00:59.159 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% We are right in the middle of one of the wildest and really 00:00:59.159 --> 00:01:01.628 align:start line:63% position:50% size:56% inspirational stories, yes, Blynda? 00:01:01.628 --> 00:01:04.197 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% Oh, by the way, I'm Randy Robinson, Blynda Lane's here. 00:01:04.197 --> 00:01:06.233 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% I'm just so excited, because I wanna hear the end of 00:01:06.233 --> 00:01:07.634 align:start line:69% position:48% size:28% this story. 00:01:07.634 --> 00:01:09.903 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% And, by the way, if you missed it, if you're like what are they 00:01:09.903 --> 00:01:11.271 align:start line:69% position:50% size:35% talking about? 00:01:11.271 --> 00:01:15.475 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% All of our programs are at lifetoday.org so you can hear 00:01:15.475 --> 00:01:18.845 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% the first program with Lauren Burns and Bev Lambert. 00:01:18.845 --> 00:01:22.049 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% But I wanna give you a little bit of a condensed version of 00:01:22.049 --> 00:01:27.020 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% where we're at, because Lauren was taken as a seven year old by 00:01:27.020 --> 00:01:30.857 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% her father, Ali, who was estranged, or divorced I guess, 00:01:30.857 --> 00:01:33.794 align:start line:69% position:47% size:58% from her mother, Cathy. 00:01:33.794 --> 00:01:36.897 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% He was from Jordan, her mother was from the United States. 00:01:36.897 --> 00:01:39.900 align:start line:63% position:47% size:53% He was Muslim, her mother was Christian. 00:01:39.900 --> 00:01:44.271 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% And as a child, Lauren was taken against her will, against the 00:01:44.271 --> 00:01:47.774 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% will of her mother, against the knowledge of anyone else to 00:01:47.774 --> 00:01:53.280 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% Jordan in the Middle East where he was planning on her spending 00:01:53.280 --> 00:01:56.616 align:start line:69% position:47% size:53% the rest of her life. 00:01:56.616 --> 00:01:59.653 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% Lauren's parents called some friends of theirs, Rick and Bev 00:01:59.653 --> 00:02:05.392 align:start line:69% position:44% size:78% Lambert, to rescue their child. 00:02:05.392 --> 00:02:08.628 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% We're at the rescue point of the story, but that's where-- 00:02:08.628 --> 00:02:09.963 align:start line:63% position:48% size:48% They actually made a movie about this. 00:02:09.963 --> 00:02:11.331 align:start line:69% position:50% size:56% Did you see the movie? 00:02:11.331 --> 00:02:12.666 align:start line:63% position:50% size:45% Blynda: I never did see the movie. 00:02:12.666 --> 00:02:14.034 align:start line:69% position:50% size:70% Randy: Like Hollywood movie. 00:02:14.034 --> 00:02:15.669 align:start line:69% position:50% size:75% Blynda: Mariel Hemingway, yes. 00:02:15.669 --> 00:02:18.405 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% Randy: Big kind of deal, but we've got the real people here, 00:02:18.405 --> 00:02:21.241 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% and so we're glad that you're with us to hear the rest of 00:02:21.241 --> 00:02:22.609 align:start line:69% position:50% size:25% the story. 00:02:22.609 --> 00:02:23.977 align:start line:69% position:50% size:41% Did I cover the? 00:02:23.977 --> 00:02:25.846 align:start line:69% position:50% size:56% Lauren: Fantastic job. 00:02:25.846 --> 00:02:28.248 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% Randy: Because there's so much going on, so I want people to 00:02:28.248 --> 00:02:33.620 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% see both programs, but when we left, you didn't know if you 00:02:33.620 --> 00:02:34.988 align:start line:69% position:50% size:56% were ever coming back. 00:02:34.988 --> 00:02:38.525 align:start line:63% position:46% size:68% You're in school in Jordan, not speaking the language. 00:02:38.525 --> 00:02:42.162 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% Your mother's desperately praying at the behest of Rick 00:02:42.162 --> 00:02:46.833 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% and Bev, who are desperately trying to figure out how to 00:02:46.833 --> 00:02:50.303 align:start line:63% position:48% size:48% rescue a child from the Middle East. 00:02:50.303 --> 00:02:53.140 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% And a miraculous connection comes through with some people 00:02:53.140 --> 00:02:54.474 align:start line:69% position:50% size:41% who knew how to. 00:02:54.474 --> 00:02:55.842 align:start line:69% position:47% size:53% Lauren: That's right. 00:02:55.842 --> 00:02:57.177 align:start line:69% position:50% size:61% Randy: Pick us up there. 00:02:57.177 --> 00:03:01.381 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% Lauren: So Dave and Don and J.D. were the veterans that said yes 00:03:01.381 --> 00:03:05.285 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% to going to Jordan, putting together a rescue mission to go 00:03:05.285 --> 00:03:06.653 align:start line:69% position:50% size:35% bring me home. 00:03:06.653 --> 00:03:08.755 align:start line:69% position:50% size:65% They met my mom in Dallas. 00:03:08.755 --> 00:03:12.592 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% After meeting my mother and seeing the fierceness in her, 00:03:12.592 --> 00:03:15.896 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% she was going to go whether they said yes or not, they told her 00:03:15.896 --> 00:03:17.564 align:start line:69% position:44% size:78% it's gonna take a lot of money. 00:03:17.564 --> 00:03:19.232 align:start line:63% position:48% size:43% The United States cannot help us. 00:03:19.232 --> 00:03:23.036 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% If we are captured in Jordan, all of us, all of our lives are 00:03:23.036 --> 00:03:24.404 align:start line:69% position:50% size:21% at risk. 00:03:24.404 --> 00:03:26.440 align:start line:63% position:50% size:56% And my mom said, "I'll do whatever it takes." 00:03:26.440 --> 00:03:28.642 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% So they started to gather up the money to be able to pay. 00:03:28.642 --> 00:03:33.914 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% It cost over $80,000 to pull off this rescue mission. 00:03:33.914 --> 00:03:35.382 align:start line:69% position:48% size:43% That was in 1987. 00:03:35.382 --> 00:03:37.551 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% Blynda: I have heard with inflation that would be like a 00:03:37.551 --> 00:03:39.386 align:start line:63% position:50% size:50% quarter of a million dollars today. 00:03:39.386 --> 00:03:40.754 align:start line:69% position:50% size:31% Lauren: Yes. 00:03:40.754 --> 00:03:42.089 align:start line:63% position:50% size:56% Randy: And your mother didn't have that. 00:03:42.089 --> 00:03:47.761 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% Lauren: No, she had--my grandfather was murdered when I 00:03:47.761 --> 00:03:51.631 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% was a year old, and about the time that this rescue was about 00:03:51.631 --> 00:03:56.403 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% to take place, my mother had received $50,000 of inheritance 00:03:56.403 --> 00:04:00.674 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% money, and my uncle also gave her some of his inheritance 00:04:00.674 --> 00:04:04.678 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% money, so even that, God was providing the money for a single 00:04:04.678 --> 00:04:09.015 align:start line:63% position:47% size:63% mom, not knowing that this was going to happen. 00:04:09.015 --> 00:04:13.820 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% Bev Lambert: And the probate had just taken place months, maybe 00:04:13.820 --> 00:04:15.989 align:start line:69% position:50% size:75% weeks before Lauren was taken. 00:04:15.989 --> 00:04:20.060 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% Had that been probated, you know, shortly after her father 00:04:20.060 --> 00:04:23.630 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% had died, the money wouldn't have been readily accessible. 00:04:23.630 --> 00:04:27.000 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% All of us would have spent that money in a period of five or 00:04:27.000 --> 00:04:28.401 align:start line:69% position:50% size:25% six years. 00:04:28.401 --> 00:04:32.405 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% So the fact that it had just-- over this long period of time 00:04:32.405 --> 00:04:35.308 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% had just been probated and the money had just been dispersed 00:04:35.308 --> 00:04:40.680 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% and was readily available in the bank was also another God thing, 00:04:40.680 --> 00:04:43.884 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% because the finances were there, and without the finances the 00:04:43.884 --> 00:04:45.252 align:start line:69% position:44% size:78% mission wouldn't have happened. 00:04:45.252 --> 00:04:50.457 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% Randy: It's almost like he knew, God knew maybe, you know? 00:04:50.457 --> 00:04:52.592 align:start line:63% position:50% size:56% There's the element of free will, you know? 00:04:52.592 --> 00:04:57.164 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% God orchestrates, a kidnapping of a child, but he also, we know 00:04:57.164 --> 00:04:58.798 align:start line:69% position:47% size:63% he knew how to handle it. 00:04:58.798 --> 00:05:00.167 align:start line:69% position:50% size:75% He knew how to line things up. 00:05:00.167 --> 00:05:02.636 align:start line:69% position:46% size:68% So, what happens in Jordan? 00:05:02.636 --> 00:05:05.305 align:start line:63% position:47% size:63% Lauren: So, Dave was the first man that went over. 00:05:05.305 --> 00:05:08.575 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% His job was to try to figure out how, once they found me, how to 00:05:08.575 --> 00:05:09.910 align:start line:69% position:48% size:28% get me out. 00:05:09.910 --> 00:05:12.779 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% So he traveled up to Syria and thought Syria is a no-go, that's 00:05:12.779 --> 00:05:14.114 align:start line:69% position:48% size:28% a war zone. 00:05:14.114 --> 00:05:16.716 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% He went to Aqaba, thinking he could--there's a stretch of 00:05:16.716 --> 00:05:18.718 align:start line:69% position:50% size:81% water between Jordan and Israel. 00:05:18.718 --> 00:05:21.121 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% He thought once they found me, he could put me on his back and 00:05:21.121 --> 00:05:25.025 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% swim me a mile across, but once he got there, he thought there's 00:05:25.025 --> 00:05:27.961 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% no way, there were soldiers everywhere with machine guns and 00:05:27.961 --> 00:05:29.396 align:start line:69% position:48% size:48% barbed-wire fences. 00:05:29.396 --> 00:05:33.366 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% So the next best escape route was the King Hussein Bridge 00:05:33.366 --> 00:05:35.635 align:start line:69% position:50% size:65% between Jordan and Israel. 00:05:35.635 --> 00:05:38.838 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% So he found the escape route but still could not find me. 00:05:38.838 --> 00:05:42.609 align:start line:63% position:46% size:68% So Don and J.D. came into Jordan, and they were there 00:05:42.609 --> 00:05:45.946 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% for about two or three weeks searching for me all over 00:05:45.946 --> 00:05:49.015 align:start line:69% position:50% size:56% and could not find me. 00:05:49.015 --> 00:05:54.354 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% And J.D., I got to talk to him and interview him on my podcast, 00:05:54.354 --> 00:05:58.191 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% and he tells about the day that he was like, "Lauren, I did 00:05:58.191 --> 00:06:01.861 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% everything I need to do in my experience, but I stood on the 00:06:01.861 --> 00:06:05.765 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% streets of Jerash, and I began praying," and as he was standing 00:06:05.765 --> 00:06:08.702 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% there, Don was a couple feet away from him, a school bus 00:06:08.702 --> 00:06:13.773 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% pulled up, and I look like most--I have the Middle Eastern 00:06:13.773 --> 00:06:17.344 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% dark hair and the dark skin, but I have bright blue eyes, and so 00:06:17.344 --> 00:06:20.714 align:start line:63% position:46% size:68% that was the distinguishing feature to try to find me. 00:06:20.714 --> 00:06:23.984 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% So that bus pulls up, and J.D. turns and looks through the 00:06:23.984 --> 00:06:29.356 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% window, and there I sat looking through the window right at him, 00:06:29.356 --> 00:06:30.690 align:start line:69% position:48% size:33% and he just-- 00:06:30.690 --> 00:06:32.058 align:start line:63% position:48% size:43% Blynda: With your bright blue eyes. 00:06:32.058 --> 00:06:34.661 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% Lauren: Yes, and he ran over to Don and shook him by the 00:06:34.661 --> 00:06:37.297 align:start line:63% position:50% size:65% shoulders and said, "I saw Lauren, she's on the bus." 00:06:37.297 --> 00:06:38.965 align:start line:63% position:50% size:45% And Dan was like, "How do you know?" 00:06:38.965 --> 00:06:41.835 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% And he goes, "I know it's her, I saw her eyes, she's on 00:06:41.835 --> 00:06:43.169 align:start line:69% position:50% size:25% that bus." 00:06:43.169 --> 00:06:45.772 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% But by that time the bus had already driven through, and they 00:06:45.772 --> 00:06:48.275 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% couldn't follow the bus because it was so narrow, they couldn't 00:06:48.275 --> 00:06:52.012 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% capture it, so then they radioed my mom, they called my mom. 00:06:52.012 --> 00:06:55.415 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% She was waiting in Cyprus, and they told my mom, "Cathy, we 00:06:55.415 --> 00:06:58.385 align:start line:63% position:47% size:63% have found Lauren, but we can't find Ali's home. 00:06:58.385 --> 00:07:01.655 align:start line:63% position:50% size:61% We need you to come and help us find the house." 00:07:01.655 --> 00:07:04.457 align:start line:69% position:47% size:58% So she flew into Amman. 00:07:04.457 --> 00:07:06.926 align:start line:63% position:50% size:45% Dave and J.D. were driving the car. 00:07:06.926 --> 00:07:09.663 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% She was sitting in the front seat while Don was driving. 00:07:09.663 --> 00:07:12.299 align:start line:63% position:47% size:63% She covered her--had her hair covered in disguise. 00:07:12.299 --> 00:07:15.802 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% As she drove into Jerash, she was very confident thinking she 00:07:15.802 --> 00:07:18.838 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% would remember where my father's home was, but nothing looked 00:07:18.838 --> 00:07:20.173 align:start line:69% position:48% size:23% the same. 00:07:20.173 --> 00:07:23.076 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% The dirt roads were now paved, the little buildings were now 00:07:23.076 --> 00:07:27.314 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% big, everything was overgrown, and that fear began to come over 00:07:27.314 --> 00:07:28.715 align:start line:69% position:50% size:25% her again. 00:07:28.715 --> 00:07:32.452 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% She got down in the floorboard of that car with her eyes closed 00:07:32.452 --> 00:07:36.456 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% and began to pray out loud, and she didn't care if the guys 00:07:36.456 --> 00:07:38.058 align:start line:69% position:45% size:73% thought she was crazy or not. 00:07:38.058 --> 00:07:41.795 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% And as she was praying, it's like God was showing her where 00:07:41.795 --> 00:07:43.163 align:start line:69% position:50% size:16% to go. 00:07:43.163 --> 00:07:46.999 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% She began saying turn left, go straight, turn right, and 00:07:46.999 --> 00:07:51.971 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% finally when she looked up, she saw my dad's white Mazda on the 00:07:51.971 --> 00:07:54.240 align:start line:63% position:50% size:45% streets with Texas license plates. 00:07:54.240 --> 00:07:55.809 align:start line:69% position:46% size:68% He had had his car shipped. 00:07:55.809 --> 00:07:59.379 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% He maxed out every credit card and had his car shipped to 00:07:59.379 --> 00:08:02.449 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% Jordan, so she froze, she couldn't get the words out of 00:08:02.449 --> 00:08:06.619 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% her mouth, and finally she said to Don, "I saw Ali's car." 00:08:06.619 --> 00:08:08.388 align:start line:63% position:50% size:50% So Dan said, "Cathy, hide your face." 00:08:08.388 --> 00:08:12.359 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% And they drove back around, and when he turned back around, he 00:08:12.359 --> 00:08:14.794 align:start line:63% position:48% size:48% saw my dad step out of the building. 00:08:14.794 --> 00:08:20.300 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% So, again, not until people began praying, God showed up and 00:08:20.300 --> 00:08:22.936 align:start line:69% position:44% size:78% showed him where the house was. 00:08:22.936 --> 00:08:25.805 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% Randy: And what, they--do you knock on the door and say give 00:08:25.805 --> 00:08:28.508 align:start line:69% position:48% size:48% me the little girl? 00:08:28.508 --> 00:08:29.876 align:start line:69% position:50% size:25% [laughing] 00:08:29.876 --> 00:08:31.211 align:start line:63% position:50% size:50% Bev: No, I wish it'd gone that simply. 00:08:31.211 --> 00:08:32.746 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% They devised a new plan, we're gonna follow the school bus, 00:08:32.746 --> 00:08:34.514 align:start line:63% position:50% size:41% we're gonna take her off the bus. 00:08:34.514 --> 00:08:36.416 align:start line:63% position:50% size:50% There will be no enemies on that bus. 00:08:36.416 --> 00:08:41.154 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% There'll be one driver and then one like a nanny sort of person 00:08:41.154 --> 00:08:43.690 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% who just makes sure the children are safe back there. 00:08:43.690 --> 00:08:45.625 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% He said we're gonna be dealing with two people instead of 00:08:45.625 --> 00:08:47.727 align:start line:69% position:50% size:31% a household. 00:08:47.727 --> 00:08:49.095 align:start line:69% position:47% size:63% So they followed the bus. 00:08:49.095 --> 00:08:51.097 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% Lauren: Yeah, the house was right next to a police station, 00:08:51.097 --> 00:08:52.532 align:start line:63% position:50% size:56% and they thought that's not gonna work. 00:08:52.532 --> 00:08:55.902 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% So there's a little farmhouse on the outskirts of town, and the 00:08:55.902 --> 00:08:59.305 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% day of the mission, the code word was the sun is shining, but 00:08:59.305 --> 00:09:02.876 align:start line:69% position:50% size:70% the sun is S-O-N, not S-U-N. 00:09:02.876 --> 00:09:05.378 align:start line:63% position:48% size:48% So just every piece of the story-- 00:09:05.378 --> 00:09:06.713 align:start line:69% position:50% size:56% Blynda: He's woven in. 00:09:06.713 --> 00:09:10.450 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% Lauren: Every piece, so that morning there were two cars. 00:09:10.450 --> 00:09:13.319 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% Dave--and they called him old man, he's the oldest of the 00:09:13.319 --> 00:09:15.822 align:start line:69% position:48% size:48% group, he's 85 now. 00:09:15.822 --> 00:09:18.224 align:start line:63% position:48% size:48% He was--his job was to watch the house 00:09:18.224 --> 00:09:20.160 align:start line:69% position:45% size:73% so I actually got on the bus. 00:09:20.160 --> 00:09:21.628 align:start line:63% position:48% size:43% They didn't want to hijack the bus 00:09:21.628 --> 00:09:23.430 align:start line:63% position:48% size:48% and me not even go to school that day. 00:09:23.430 --> 00:09:26.866 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% So once he saw that I was on the bus, that car drove over. 00:09:26.866 --> 00:09:29.936 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% He drove over to where my mom and Don and J.D. were and said 00:09:29.936 --> 00:09:32.172 align:start line:63% position:50% size:50% mission's a go, Lauren's on the bus. 00:09:32.172 --> 00:09:37.110 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% As soon as the bus passed Don's car, he drove, and he parked 00:09:37.110 --> 00:09:38.478 align:start line:69% position:50% size:41% right behind it. 00:09:38.478 --> 00:09:41.247 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% So as the bus was parked, getting the other kid onto the 00:09:41.247 --> 00:09:44.818 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% school bus, Don jumped out and went over to the driver's side 00:09:44.818 --> 00:09:47.587 align:start line:63% position:50% size:65% window and was speaking in English to distract the 00:09:47.587 --> 00:09:48.955 align:start line:69% position:48% size:28% bus driver. 00:09:48.955 --> 00:09:52.425 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% J.D. went over, and he pried open those accordion-style 00:09:52.425 --> 00:09:56.663 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% doors, and my mom went over, and she spotted me. 00:09:56.663 --> 00:09:58.031 align:start line:69% position:50% size:70% Randy: Do you remember that? 00:09:58.031 --> 00:09:59.599 align:start line:63% position:47% size:53% Blynda: You do, what was that moment like? 00:09:59.599 --> 00:10:05.705 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% Lauren: She--she walked over to the school window, and she 00:10:05.705 --> 00:10:09.075 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% tapped on that window, and it's foggy, and her hair is covered, 00:10:09.075 --> 00:10:12.011 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% and I looked at my mom, and I thought it looks just like her, 00:10:12.011 --> 00:10:13.413 align:start line:69% position:50% size:41% but it can't be. 00:10:13.413 --> 00:10:15.381 align:start line:63% position:48% size:48% My mom's in Dallas, that can't be her. 00:10:15.381 --> 00:10:18.051 align:start line:63% position:47% size:58% At that moment, it's like I went into shock. 00:10:18.051 --> 00:10:21.120 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% I thought I was dreaming, because I just thought I'd never 00:10:21.120 --> 00:10:22.956 align:start line:69% position:50% size:35% see her again. 00:10:22.956 --> 00:10:26.359 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% So she got on, she pried her way onto the bus, because I wasn't 00:10:26.359 --> 00:10:29.596 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% moving, and like every good mother, she gets on the bus, she 00:10:29.596 --> 00:10:32.398 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% gets me and she gets her--my backpack for whatever reason, 00:10:32.398 --> 00:10:36.736 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% and the lady chaperone jumps on my mom's back, she has to let 00:10:36.736 --> 00:10:38.104 align:start line:69% position:47% size:53% go of me long enough. 00:10:38.104 --> 00:10:40.406 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% She turns around and punches the woman in the nose. 00:10:40.406 --> 00:10:43.843 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% The only person that threw a punch was my mom, and there's 00:10:43.843 --> 00:10:46.479 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% blood coming out of this lady's face, and I'm just really 00:10:46.479 --> 00:10:47.814 align:start line:69% position:48% size:23% in shock. 00:10:47.814 --> 00:10:49.782 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% Blynda: Mama bear was in full activation mode for sure. 00:10:49.782 --> 00:10:52.085 align:start line:63% position:50% size:61% Lauren: Yes, so they got me into the car, hid me. 00:10:52.085 --> 00:10:54.053 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% Dave and Don saw what was going on, they took care of the 00:10:54.053 --> 00:10:57.390 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% chaperone, and we got in the car and sped off, and about two 00:10:57.390 --> 00:11:00.326 align:start line:63% position:50% size:56% blocks later we switch cars with Dave. 00:11:00.326 --> 00:11:02.762 align:start line:63% position:46% size:68% Dave had the most dangerous part of the mission. 00:11:02.762 --> 00:11:05.665 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% He took the car that we just used to hijack the bus, and he 00:11:05.665 --> 00:11:08.968 align:start line:63% position:48% size:48% went back to the city to be a decoy. 00:11:08.968 --> 00:11:14.173 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% We went on with the other car towards Israel, and during that 00:11:14.173 --> 00:11:17.477 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% drive, the fog was so thick that you could barely see the front 00:11:17.477 --> 00:11:18.945 align:start line:69% position:48% size:28% of the car. 00:11:18.945 --> 00:11:22.215 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% It was about a 45-minute drive from where we were, and as we're 00:11:22.215 --> 00:11:25.919 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% driving, my mom asked Don, "What is that bright light in 00:11:25.919 --> 00:11:27.253 align:start line:69% position:50% size:35% the distance?" 00:11:27.253 --> 00:11:29.022 align:start line:63% position:47% size:53% And Dan goes, "Well, Cathy, that's Israel. 00:11:29.022 --> 00:11:33.793 align:start line:63% position:47% size:53% The sun--the sun is shining over Israel." 00:11:33.793 --> 00:11:37.330 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% So, again, it's like, God's like, "Cathy, I'm not going to 00:11:37.330 --> 00:11:38.665 align:start line:69% position:48% size:28% leave you." 00:11:38.665 --> 00:11:41.935 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% The whole time she's praying, and I'm in a fever, I'm not 00:11:41.935 --> 00:11:45.204 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% speaking, I'm in total shock, and it's just so much fear 00:11:45.204 --> 00:11:46.573 align:start line:69% position:48% size:23% going on. 00:11:46.573 --> 00:11:49.909 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% And at that moment, we didn't know Dave had gotten pulled over 00:11:49.909 --> 00:11:54.414 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% in the middle of Jerash, surrounded by Jordanian police. 00:11:54.414 --> 00:11:57.216 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% They were tearing apart the car looking for evidence of us. 00:11:57.216 --> 00:12:00.687 align:start line:63% position:46% size:68% They brought the school bus driver to the car, and the 00:12:00.687 --> 00:12:05.024 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% school bus driver's saying in Arabic, "That's the car, but I 00:12:05.024 --> 00:12:06.359 align:start line:69% position:46% size:68% don't know who the guy is." 00:12:06.359 --> 00:12:09.295 align:start line:63% position:50% size:61% Because remember, Dave wasn't at the hijacking. 00:12:09.295 --> 00:12:11.965 align:start line:63% position:50% size:56% So for 30 minutes he's being interrogated. 00:12:11.965 --> 00:12:13.833 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% Blynda: Which is great, it's giving you guys more time to 00:12:13.833 --> 00:12:15.201 align:start line:69% position:48% size:28% get across. 00:12:15.201 --> 00:12:16.603 align:start line:63% position:50% size:65% Bev: But at the same time, they're shutting down all 00:12:16.603 --> 00:12:17.971 align:start line:69% position:48% size:33% the airlines. 00:12:17.971 --> 00:12:19.305 align:start line:63% position:50% size:61% Lauren: They're shutting down the airport. 00:12:19.305 --> 00:12:25.044 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% Bev: The bus lines, the train, every form of transportation is 00:12:25.044 --> 00:12:26.646 align:start line:69% position:50% size:25% shut down. 00:12:26.646 --> 00:12:31.417 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% Now Cathy's the criminal for coming to get her child. 00:12:31.417 --> 00:12:34.520 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% Randy: No, yeah, but what about the King Hussein bridge? 00:12:34.520 --> 00:12:38.758 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% Lauren: So, the way that Dave got out was on the radios, 00:12:38.758 --> 00:12:42.595 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% those--the Jordanian men, the soldiers, they hear Alia 00:12:42.595 --> 00:12:44.397 align:start line:69% position:50% size:56% Airport, Alia Airport. 00:12:44.397 --> 00:12:47.133 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% They left Dave on the side of the road, and they all went to 00:12:47.133 --> 00:12:49.335 align:start line:63% position:50% size:50% the airport, because like Bev said. 00:12:49.335 --> 00:12:50.670 align:start line:63% position:47% size:53% Blynda: Thinking that's where you are. 00:12:50.670 --> 00:12:52.071 align:start line:63% position:50% size:65% Lauren: They were shutting down the airport, 00:12:52.071 --> 00:12:53.406 align:start line:69% position:46% size:68% so he was able to get away. 00:12:53.406 --> 00:12:55.908 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% Bev: Because they were certain they were gonna be flying out. 00:12:55.908 --> 00:12:58.244 align:start line:63% position:50% size:45% We're Americans, that's what we do. 00:12:58.244 --> 00:13:01.114 align:start line:63% position:47% size:53% Lauren: So, at the bridge, we get there. 00:13:01.114 --> 00:13:04.717 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% You have--back then you have to leave your car, give all your 00:13:04.717 --> 00:13:07.820 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% paperwork and passports and visas, and then you get on a 00:13:07.820 --> 00:13:11.257 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% bus, and you sit on the bus, and then the bus, once you get 00:13:11.257 --> 00:13:14.494 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% cleared to go, in the middle of the bridge, there's a little a 00:13:14.494 --> 00:13:18.965 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% shack with this Israeli soldier and the Israeli bus driver, so 00:13:18.965 --> 00:13:22.602 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% as you drive and you see the flags, the Israeli flag, that 00:13:22.602 --> 00:13:26.205 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% bus can only go so fast, and then once you're in the middle 00:13:26.205 --> 00:13:29.142 align:start line:63% position:46% size:68% of the bridge, the Israeli soldier and the Israeli bus 00:13:29.142 --> 00:13:32.845 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% driver, they switch, and they take you on over into Israel. 00:13:32.845 --> 00:13:35.915 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% We sat on that bus on the Jordanian side for about 30, 40 00:13:35.915 --> 00:13:38.184 align:start line:63% position:47% size:58% minutes waiting for the bus driver to come on. 00:13:38.184 --> 00:13:40.853 align:start line:63% position:50% size:61% And there are big towers with machine guns, with 00:13:40.853 --> 00:13:42.989 align:start line:69% position:50% size:50% soldiers everywhere. 00:13:42.989 --> 00:13:46.926 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% We finally start to go, and we cross over and see the Israeli 00:13:46.926 --> 00:13:50.329 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% flag, and about the time we go over into Israel, there's a big 00:13:50.329 --> 00:13:52.098 align:start line:69% position:50% size:50% commotion behind us. 00:13:52.098 --> 00:13:54.767 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% They had just realized that we were on the bus and not the 00:13:54.767 --> 00:13:57.136 align:start line:69% position:45% size:73% airport, but it was too late. 00:13:57.136 --> 00:13:59.205 align:start line:63% position:46% size:68% We had escaped, and there's nothing they could do. 00:13:59.205 --> 00:14:00.540 align:start line:69% position:48% size:48% Blynda: Praise God. 00:14:00.540 --> 00:14:01.874 align:start line:69% position:44% size:78% Lauren: So we get off that bus. 00:14:01.874 --> 00:14:04.944 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% My mom is crying, kissing the ground, and there's a group of 00:14:04.944 --> 00:14:07.213 align:start line:63% position:48% size:48% women there going, "What is going on?" 00:14:07.213 --> 00:14:09.716 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% She goes over to J.D., and it's like, "Is the woman okay? 00:14:09.716 --> 00:14:11.050 align:start line:69% position:50% size:56% Is the daughter okay?" 00:14:11.050 --> 00:14:13.653 align:start line:63% position:47% size:63% And J.D. tells them that they had just rescued me. 00:14:13.653 --> 00:14:16.622 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% I've been gone for three months, and they just brought me home, 00:14:16.622 --> 00:14:18.858 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% and so the women are jumping up and down going, "Praise 00:14:18.858 --> 00:14:20.193 align:start line:69% position:48% size:28% you, Jesus. 00:14:20.193 --> 00:14:22.361 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% We've come to the Holy Land, and we've seen a miracle." 00:14:22.361 --> 00:14:25.765 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% And so they come and they start to, you know, pray and cry 00:14:25.765 --> 00:14:27.133 align:start line:69% position:50% size:21% with us. 00:14:27.133 --> 00:14:28.468 align:start line:69% position:50% size:31% Randy: Whoo! 00:14:28.468 --> 00:14:29.936 align:start line:63% position:50% size:61% Okay, wow, I can't wait for the book to come out 00:14:29.936 --> 00:14:31.270 align:start line:69% position:47% size:53% when you finish that. 00:14:31.270 --> 00:14:32.605 align:start line:69% position:48% size:48% Please finish that. 00:14:32.605 --> 00:14:34.974 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% I look forward to that, because I mean we've heard a lot, but 00:14:34.974 --> 00:14:36.743 align:start line:69% position:47% size:63% there's so much going on. 00:14:36.743 --> 00:14:40.446 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% Let me ask you this, though, Lauren, because, I mean, that's 00:14:40.446 --> 00:14:45.017 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% great, that's a wonderful story and God's faithfulness, but that 00:14:45.017 --> 00:14:48.221 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% is--that can create some issues for--especially for a little 00:14:48.221 --> 00:14:52.692 align:start line:63% position:46% size:68% girl, just the trauma of being taken, the feeling of 00:14:52.692 --> 00:14:54.494 align:start line:63% position:46% size:68% abandonment and thinking you're never gonna see your 00:14:54.494 --> 00:14:55.862 align:start line:69% position:48% size:33% mother again. 00:14:55.862 --> 00:14:58.898 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% Your father who probably thought in his mind that he was doing 00:14:58.898 --> 00:15:00.266 align:start line:69% position:50% size:41% the right thing. 00:15:00.266 --> 00:15:03.569 align:start line:69% position:50% size:81% What did it do to you long-term? 00:15:03.569 --> 00:15:05.438 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% Lauren: And thank you for asking, because that's why I 00:15:05.438 --> 00:15:08.174 align:start line:63% position:50% size:56% would say this is where my story begins. 00:15:08.174 --> 00:15:12.411 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% I was very angry at God, and you might think how can you be angry 00:15:12.411 --> 00:15:13.780 align:start line:69% position:48% size:18% at God? 00:15:13.780 --> 00:15:15.114 align:start line:69% position:50% size:50% He just rescued you. 00:15:15.114 --> 00:15:16.482 align:start line:69% position:45% size:73% I had to change my last name. 00:15:16.482 --> 00:15:17.817 align:start line:69% position:47% size:63% We had to live in hiding. 00:15:17.817 --> 00:15:21.187 align:start line:63% position:50% size:65% I moved 14 times by the time I was in high school. 00:15:21.187 --> 00:15:24.524 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% I had a lot of anger, and I actually lived with Beth and 00:15:24.524 --> 00:15:27.560 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% Rick and Miranda and Luke in the house that built me, the song 00:15:27.560 --> 00:15:29.028 align:start line:69% position:50% size:75% that Miranda sings about that. 00:15:29.028 --> 00:15:33.366 align:start line:63% position:47% size:63% That was where I--my journey of healing began. 00:15:33.366 --> 00:15:35.334 align:start line:69% position:48% size:48% I had to surrender. 00:15:35.334 --> 00:15:38.371 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% I had to go before God and say, "I am mad that you allowed this 00:15:38.371 --> 00:15:39.705 align:start line:69% position:50% size:41% to happen to me. 00:15:39.705 --> 00:15:41.073 align:start line:69% position:50% size:65% I didn't have a childhood. 00:15:41.073 --> 00:15:42.408 align:start line:69% position:46% size:68% I don't even have a father. 00:15:42.408 --> 00:15:44.977 align:start line:63% position:50% size:65% I don't know what the love of a father sounds like." 00:15:44.977 --> 00:15:48.114 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% God's word talks about you are a heavenly Father that is so good, 00:15:48.114 --> 00:15:50.550 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% and that song we sing, you're a good, good father, it's who 00:15:50.550 --> 00:15:51.884 align:start line:69% position:50% size:21% you are. 00:15:51.884 --> 00:15:54.253 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% I couldn't sing that song, because I didn't know what that 00:15:54.253 --> 00:15:55.588 align:start line:69% position:50% size:25% felt like. 00:15:55.588 --> 00:15:59.158 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% And God's like, "Lauren, if you just trust me, if you just 00:15:59.158 --> 00:16:03.863 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% surrender before me and allow me to show you how to forgive." 00:16:03.863 --> 00:16:08.100 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% So in Life Group, in Prairie Creek Church in Lindale, Texas, 00:16:08.100 --> 00:16:10.236 align:start line:69% position:50% size:65% is where I had my healing. 00:16:10.236 --> 00:16:13.906 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% It's like God was peeling the layers back like an onion of all 00:16:13.906 --> 00:16:18.477 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% those wounds, and when I could allow God to show me forgiveness 00:16:18.477 --> 00:16:20.847 align:start line:69% position:47% size:63% does not mean forgetting. 00:16:20.847 --> 00:16:23.950 align:start line:63% position:47% size:63% Forgiveness does not mean what my dad did was okay. 00:16:23.950 --> 00:16:27.119 align:start line:63% position:50% size:56% Forgiveness is I surrender to you, God. 00:16:27.119 --> 00:16:31.257 align:start line:63% position:50% size:61% He's not mine to be mad at anymore, he is yours. 00:16:31.257 --> 00:16:34.060 align:start line:63% position:48% size:43% And that's when my healing began. 00:16:34.060 --> 00:16:38.264 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% And so being able to be redeemed and restored is walking through 00:16:38.264 --> 00:16:40.499 align:start line:69% position:50% size:61% that journey of healing. 00:16:40.499 --> 00:16:41.834 align:start line:63% position:50% size:50% Blynda: Which probably never ends. 00:16:41.834 --> 00:16:44.804 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% I mean, it's still something that you probably walk through. 00:16:44.804 --> 00:16:48.207 align:start line:63% position:50% size:61% Randy: I really strongly believe that forgiveness 00:16:48.207 --> 00:16:50.409 align:start line:63% position:48% size:48% is not abandoning justice but saying, 00:16:50.409 --> 00:16:52.745 align:start line:63% position:48% size:48% "God, I trust your justice over mine." 00:16:52.745 --> 00:16:54.213 align:start line:63% position:47% size:53% Blynda: That's good. Lauren: That's right. 00:16:54.213 --> 00:16:55.648 align:start line:63% position:46% size:68% Blynda: That's really good. Randy: He is a just God. 00:16:55.648 --> 00:16:57.316 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% Lauren: That is right. Randy: He is a just God, sorry. 00:16:57.316 --> 00:16:59.952 align:start line:63% position:50% size:56% Blynda: No, no, I'm so glad you said that. 00:16:59.952 --> 00:17:03.556 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% So, in this--because that Life Group moment, you were still a 00:17:03.556 --> 00:17:08.060 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% teenager then, so now all these years later, you're married and 00:17:08.060 --> 00:17:09.962 align:start line:69% position:50% size:50% you've got children. 00:17:09.962 --> 00:17:13.065 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% How--did you ever have a restoration and relationship 00:17:13.065 --> 00:17:14.400 align:start line:69% position:50% size:35% with your dad? 00:17:14.400 --> 00:17:16.335 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% When you say forgiveness doesn't always mean restored 00:17:16.335 --> 00:17:18.804 align:start line:63% position:46% size:68% relationship, what did that look like for your life? 00:17:18.804 --> 00:17:20.172 align:start line:69% position:47% size:58% Lauren: Great question. 00:17:20.172 --> 00:17:22.842 align:start line:63% position:47% size:63% My father--and my mom showed me how to forgive. 00:17:22.842 --> 00:17:26.979 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% My father went to my high school graduation in Lindale, Texas. 00:17:26.979 --> 00:17:29.282 align:start line:69% position:46% size:68% My father came to our home. 00:17:29.282 --> 00:17:32.018 align:start line:69% position:45% size:73% My mom cooked a meal for him. 00:17:32.018 --> 00:17:35.321 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% This was a lot of steps I'm skipping, but she allowed me to 00:17:35.321 --> 00:17:39.358 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% write letters to try to have-- I wanted to know who he was. 00:17:39.358 --> 00:17:43.262 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% Every child wants to know who their father is, no matter what 00:17:43.262 --> 00:17:44.597 align:start line:69% position:44% size:78% situation they've been through. 00:17:44.597 --> 00:17:46.933 align:start line:63% position:47% size:63% Rick Lambert was my dad when I didn't have a dad. 00:17:46.933 --> 00:17:49.602 align:start line:63% position:50% size:65% My mother remarried, and my stepfather was amazing. 00:17:49.602 --> 00:17:52.705 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% He's the one that walked me down the aisle, because little girl 00:17:52.705 --> 00:17:54.473 align:start line:63% position:48% size:48% wants to know who's going to do that. 00:17:54.473 --> 00:17:58.978 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% And so it was a journey of healing and knowing the good 00:17:58.978 --> 00:18:02.715 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% father, and so now today, I don't have a relationship with 00:18:02.715 --> 00:18:06.719 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% my dad, because I needed those healthy boundaries, but God 00:18:06.719 --> 00:18:09.889 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% allowed me a couple months after my stepfather passed away, my 00:18:09.889 --> 00:18:13.225 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% dad tried to find me again, and we had a phone conversation, and 00:18:13.225 --> 00:18:16.462 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% I got to tell him, "Because I believe in Jesus Christ, I 00:18:16.462 --> 00:18:17.964 align:start line:69% position:50% size:70% forgave you a long time ago. 00:18:17.964 --> 00:18:21.367 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% I no longer have anger or hurt, but I did have a father that 00:18:21.367 --> 00:18:24.170 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% raised me that was there when my boys were born, that was there 00:18:24.170 --> 00:18:28.007 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% that walked me down the aisle," and it was just that closing 00:18:28.007 --> 00:18:31.077 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% chapter, because I had to grieve my father more than once. 00:18:31.077 --> 00:18:33.346 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% I grieved my father when he took me, and then I grieved my 00:18:33.346 --> 00:18:35.114 align:start line:69% position:50% size:65% stepfather when he passed. 00:18:35.114 --> 00:18:37.183 align:start line:63% position:50% size:56% Blynda: Yeah, you have The Redeemed podcast. 00:18:37.183 --> 00:18:38.651 align:start line:69% position:48% size:33% Lauren: I do. 00:18:38.651 --> 00:18:41.454 align:start line:63% position:46% size:68% Randy: Is your heavenly Father a good, good father? 00:18:41.454 --> 00:18:42.788 align:start line:63% position:50% size:45% Lauren: He is a good, good father. 00:18:42.788 --> 00:18:44.156 align:start line:69% position:45% size:73% Randy: You can sing that now? 00:18:44.156 --> 00:18:46.092 align:start line:63% position:50% size:45% Lauren: Yes, I can sing that song. 00:18:46.092 --> 00:18:48.027 align:start line:69% position:50% size:81% Randy: Have you seen redemption? 00:18:48.027 --> 00:18:52.198 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% Bev: Yes, many times over with her and walking the whole 00:18:52.198 --> 00:18:54.033 align:start line:69% position:48% size:43% journey, and ooh! 00:18:54.033 --> 00:18:57.003 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% Blynda: And for those who may not know, you are the mother, 00:18:57.003 --> 00:18:59.405 align:start line:63% position:46% size:68% and Rick is the father of Miranda Lambert, who is the 00:18:59.405 --> 00:19:01.741 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% award-winning singer-songwriter Miranda Lambert. 00:19:01.741 --> 00:19:03.943 align:start line:63% position:47% size:63% Bev: Yes, yes, we're blessed to have that job. 00:19:03.943 --> 00:19:05.878 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% Randy: Well, the people have to know the song to catch that 00:19:05.878 --> 00:19:10.750 align:start line:63% position:50% size:65% reference, but what I want people to hear today are 00:19:10.750 --> 00:19:12.118 align:start line:69% position:48% size:28% two things. 00:19:12.118 --> 00:19:14.153 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% We do have a good, good father, and I don't know what kind of 00:19:14.153 --> 00:19:18.457 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% father you've had, it probably hasn't been as crazy as Lauren's 00:19:18.457 --> 00:19:22.962 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% story, we do have a good heavenly Father, and he does 00:19:22.962 --> 00:19:25.297 align:start line:63% position:50% size:56% redeem, he does restore, he does heal. 00:19:25.297 --> 00:19:27.600 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% If you need someone to pray with you, that phone number that's on 00:19:27.600 --> 00:19:31.137 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% the screen is a prayer line where someone will just stop and 00:19:31.137 --> 00:19:36.208 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% join with you to go before our good Father wherever you're at. 00:19:36.208 --> 00:19:39.645 align:start line:63% position:46% size:68% And the other thing is that we are the expression of 00:19:39.645 --> 00:19:41.013 align:start line:69% position:48% size:38% God's goodness. 00:19:41.013 --> 00:19:42.348 align:start line:69% position:50% size:75% That's how he chooses to work. 00:19:42.348 --> 00:19:46.652 align:start line:63% position:46% size:68% He uses, as my father says, he uses imperfect people to 00:19:46.652 --> 00:19:51.157 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% accomplish his perfect will, and his perfect will is to help 00:19:51.157 --> 00:19:52.925 align:start line:69% position:50% size:35% those in need. 00:19:52.925 --> 00:19:56.395 align:start line:63% position:47% size:58% You can help someone in need right now, today. 00:19:56.395 --> 00:20:00.099 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% You can express the heart of a good, good father and show them 00:20:00.099 --> 00:20:02.635 align:start line:69% position:44% size:78% what Christian love looks like. 00:20:02.635 --> 00:20:04.170 align:start line:69% position:50% size:50% They need to see it. 00:20:04.170 --> 00:20:06.172 align:start line:69% position:44% size:78% Watch this, and you'll see how. 00:20:09.208 --> 00:20:13.212 align:start line:79% position:44% size:78% announcer: Across rural Africa, families depend on rivers like 00:20:13.212 --> 00:20:17.383 align:start line:79% position:46% size:68% this for their daily water, but behind each drop lies a 00:20:17.383 --> 00:20:18.784 align:start line:85% position:50% size:41% difficult truth. 00:20:18.784 --> 00:20:22.288 align:start line:79% position:47% size:58% What does that mean for their quality of life? 00:20:22.288 --> 00:20:26.092 align:start line:79% position:46% size:68% Anabela is a nurse from the rural clinics in the area. 00:20:26.092 --> 00:20:28.794 align:start line:79% position:50% size:65% She has dedicated her life to helping families 00:20:28.794 --> 00:20:30.796 align:start line:85% position:50% size:70% in the surrounding villages. 00:20:30.796 --> 00:20:32.798 align:start line:85% position:46% size:68% [speaking foreign language] 00:21:05.064 --> 00:21:08.234 align:start line:79% position:50% size:81% announcer: Severina is just one of many mothers in the area that 00:21:08.234 --> 00:21:12.271 align:start line:79% position:50% size:70% has no choice but to rely on this water for her family. 00:21:13.839 --> 00:21:15.841 align:start line:85% position:46% size:68% [speaking foreign language] 00:22:00.186 --> 00:22:02.254 align:start line:79% position:45% size:73% Randy: I can't even imagine, you know, I'm a father, I'm a 00:22:02.254 --> 00:22:06.125 align:start line:79% position:44% size:78% grandfather now, and I'm a man, I wanna go in, and I wanna fix 00:22:06.125 --> 00:22:09.562 align:start line:79% position:50% size:75% the situation, which is why I get so excited about Water for 00:22:09.562 --> 00:22:13.098 align:start line:79% position:47% size:63% Life, because I know that we can make a difference. 00:22:13.098 --> 00:22:16.335 align:start line:79% position:50% size:81% We can go into those situations, and we can give them clean 00:22:16.335 --> 00:22:17.703 align:start line:85% position:48% size:38% drinking water. 00:22:17.703 --> 00:22:22.074 align:start line:79% position:46% size:68% Blynda, I'm curious, you're a mother, you're a very 00:22:22.074 --> 00:22:24.310 align:start line:85% position:50% size:45% young grandmother. 00:22:24.310 --> 00:22:25.644 align:start line:85% position:50% size:31% Blynda: Yes. 00:22:25.644 --> 00:22:27.513 align:start line:79% position:45% size:73% Randy: What do you--what does it do to you when you see the 00:22:27.513 --> 00:22:28.847 align:start line:79% position:48% size:48% pain that these mothers go through? 00:22:28.847 --> 00:22:31.317 align:start line:79% position:50% size:81% Blynda: Well, it is, it's so heartbreaking, and even as we've 00:22:31.317 --> 00:22:37.389 align:start line:79% position:50% size:75% seen today, there's no limit a mom will not go to to protect, 00:22:37.389 --> 00:22:41.994 align:start line:79% position:50% size:75% to provide, to help your child survive, and yet these moms 00:22:41.994 --> 00:22:43.329 align:start line:85% position:48% size:33% are helpless. 00:22:43.329 --> 00:22:47.066 align:start line:79% position:50% size:81% They have the same desire I have as a mom to want to protect my 00:22:47.066 --> 00:22:49.001 align:start line:85% position:50% size:65% child, and yet they can't. 00:22:49.001 --> 00:22:51.704 align:start line:79% position:45% size:73% Without our help, they can't, and they have to watch their 00:22:51.704 --> 00:22:53.072 align:start line:85% position:50% size:45% children get sick. 00:22:53.072 --> 00:22:54.406 align:start line:85% position:47% size:53% I can't even imagine. 00:22:54.406 --> 00:22:58.978 align:start line:79% position:44% size:78% If my child has a fever, I will do anything I can to figure out 00:22:58.978 --> 00:23:02.014 align:start line:79% position:47% size:58% how to help that child, they're helpless. 00:23:02.014 --> 00:23:04.717 align:start line:79% position:45% size:73% Randy: They are, and you know what's interesting is having 00:23:04.717 --> 00:23:07.486 align:start line:79% position:48% size:43% been there, they do what they can. 00:23:07.486 --> 00:23:09.455 align:start line:79% position:48% size:43% They will try to filter the water. 00:23:09.455 --> 00:23:10.823 align:start line:85% position:50% size:35% They will try. 00:23:10.823 --> 00:23:12.992 align:start line:79% position:50% size:75% It's hard to boil sometimes if you can't build a fire and you 00:23:12.992 --> 00:23:15.394 align:start line:79% position:50% size:70% don't have something to boil in, it's very difficult. 00:23:15.394 --> 00:23:17.963 align:start line:79% position:50% size:70% That's why when we go in, we just say, look, we have the 00:23:17.963 --> 00:23:21.834 align:start line:79% position:50% size:75% solution, we have the ability, we have the capability and the 00:23:21.834 --> 00:23:27.606 align:start line:79% position:46% size:68% means to solve this problem of clean drinking water. 00:23:27.606 --> 00:23:32.077 align:start line:10% position:44% size:78% And if you have the power to do something good, don't you want 00:23:32.077 --> 00:23:33.412 align:start line:10% position:48% size:23% to do it? 00:23:33.412 --> 00:23:34.780 align:start line:10% position:47% size:63% I know so many of you do. 00:23:34.780 --> 00:23:38.617 align:start line:10% position:44% size:78% Let me tell you how it works, $4800 will on average drill one 00:23:38.617 --> 00:23:42.521 align:start line:10% position:50% size:65% water well that will last, on average, 70 years. 00:23:42.521 --> 00:23:46.592 align:start line:10% position:50% size:56% That's water for life, clean drinking water. 00:23:46.592 --> 00:23:48.127 align:start line:10% position:47% size:53% Just be a part of it. 00:23:48.127 --> 00:23:50.663 align:start line:10% position:48% size:43% There's no part that's too small. 00:23:50.663 --> 00:23:54.466 align:start line:10% position:45% size:73% A $144 gift will provide the same clean drinking water for 00:23:54.466 --> 00:23:55.834 align:start line:10% position:50% size:25% 30 people. 00:23:55.834 --> 00:23:59.972 align:start line:10% position:47% size:53% A gift of $48 will do that for 10 people. 00:23:59.972 --> 00:24:04.677 align:start line:10% position:47% size:58% Here's where I come from, just so you know. 00:24:04.677 --> 00:24:10.082 align:start line:10% position:48% size:48% We're in a position to save lives. 00:24:10.082 --> 00:24:14.420 align:start line:10% position:48% size:48% We represent Christ on this earth. 00:24:14.420 --> 00:24:17.589 align:start line:10% position:50% size:75% James, the half brother of Jesus, says that faith without 00:24:17.589 --> 00:24:20.125 align:start line:10% position:50% size:35% works is dead. 00:24:20.125 --> 00:24:24.029 align:start line:10% position:47% size:58% We're told that we were created for good works. 00:24:24.029 --> 00:24:26.765 align:start line:10% position:50% size:61% This is our opportunity. 00:24:26.765 --> 00:24:32.471 align:start line:10% position:50% size:75% Every crisis we face is an opportunity to say let me show 00:24:32.471 --> 00:24:33.839 align:start line:10% position:45% size:73% you what goodness looks like. 00:24:33.839 --> 00:24:37.009 align:start line:10% position:50% size:50% Let me show you what hope looks like. 00:24:37.009 --> 00:24:41.613 align:start line:10% position:50% size:75% Let me show you what God looks like, and it's very simple. 00:24:41.613 --> 00:24:44.650 align:start line:10% position:50% size:81% Blynda, that's why I get excited about mission outreach is 00:24:44.650 --> 00:24:47.586 align:start line:10% position:44% size:78% because as hard as it is to see the situation that these people 00:24:47.586 --> 00:24:49.655 align:start line:10% position:50% size:50% are living in, I know, you know what? 00:24:49.655 --> 00:24:52.624 align:start line:10% position:50% size:65% God's put us in a position to show them his love. 00:24:52.624 --> 00:24:54.526 align:start line:10% position:50% size:61% Blynda: And if we can do something, let's do it. 00:24:54.526 --> 00:24:55.894 align:start line:10% position:48% size:43% Why would we not? 00:24:55.894 --> 00:24:58.630 align:start line:10% position:50% size:81% It's an expression of God's love to someone else, and that's why 00:24:58.630 --> 00:24:59.965 align:start line:10% position:48% size:28% we're here. 00:24:59.965 --> 00:25:01.333 align:start line:10% position:50% size:75% Randy: It is, and it's simple. 00:25:01.333 --> 00:25:03.702 align:start line:10% position:44% size:78% That's why I invite you to be a part of Mission Water for Life. 00:25:03.702 --> 00:25:06.939 align:start line:10% position:46% size:68% Go online, go to the phone, make the best gift you can. 00:25:06.939 --> 00:25:12.544 align:start line:10% position:50% size:61% Let's be the love of God in people's lives today. 00:25:12.544 --> 00:25:15.981 align:start line:10% position:44% size:78% announcer: Every day thousands of lives are lost to waterborne 00:25:15.981 --> 00:25:18.884 align:start line:10% position:50% size:81% disease, and nearly half of those are children under the age 00:25:18.884 --> 00:25:20.252 align:start line:10% position:50% size:21% of five. 00:25:20.252 --> 00:25:23.555 align:start line:10% position:44% size:78% Through Mission Water for Life, you can give mothers hope and 00:25:23.555 --> 00:25:28.293 align:start line:10% position:50% size:81% children a future as we provide clean, fresh drinking water free 00:25:28.293 --> 00:25:30.162 align:start line:10% position:47% size:58% from the fear of death. 00:25:30.162 --> 00:25:34.266 align:start line:10% position:45% size:73% With your gift today, you can help drill and establish 350 00:25:34.266 --> 00:25:36.001 align:start line:10% position:50% size:56% water wells this year. 00:25:36.001 --> 00:25:39.938 align:start line:10% position:50% size:65% Your gift of $24 will help provide clean water for 5 00:25:39.938 --> 00:25:45.043 align:start line:10% position:45% size:73% children, a gift of $48 will help provide for 10, and $144 00:25:45.043 --> 00:25:48.280 align:start line:10% position:45% size:73% will help provide life-giving water for 30 people for 00:25:48.280 --> 00:25:49.615 align:start line:10% position:48% size:28% a lifetime. 00:25:49.615 --> 00:25:53.485 align:start line:10% position:50% size:81% With a gift of any amount, we'll send you "Discovering the Joy of 00:25:53.485 --> 00:25:54.887 align:start line:10% position:50% size:50% Reading God's Word." 00:25:54.887 --> 00:25:58.524 align:start line:10% position:50% size:81% Whether you've read the Bible for years or are just beginning, 00:25:58.524 --> 00:26:01.994 align:start line:10% position:50% size:81% this book invites you to experience Scripture in a fresh, 00:26:01.994 --> 00:26:03.395 align:start line:10% position:50% size:45% more intimate way. 00:26:03.395 --> 00:26:07.699 align:start line:10% position:44% size:78% With your gift of $100 or more, you may request "A Life of 00:26:07.699 --> 00:26:09.435 align:start line:10% position:50% size:75% Compassion" coffee table book. 00:26:09.435 --> 00:26:13.305 align:start line:10% position:44% size:78% Capturing Life Outreach's heart for the world, each page pairs 00:26:13.305 --> 00:26:17.509 align:start line:10% position:50% size:81% timeless Bible verses with vivid mission field photography, 00:26:17.509 --> 00:26:20.946 align:start line:10% position:50% size:45% making God's Word visible in action. 00:26:20.946 --> 00:26:25.350 align:start line:10% position:44% size:78% Finally, please consider a gift of $1200 to help provide water 00:26:25.350 --> 00:26:30.923 align:start line:10% position:50% size:81% for 250 people or a gift of $4800 to help sponsor a complete 00:26:30.923 --> 00:26:36.061 align:start line:10% position:50% size:81% well and request Life's beautiful 2026 bronze sculpture, 00:26:36.061 --> 00:26:37.596 align:start line:10% position:50% size:50% "The Good Shepherd." 00:26:37.596 --> 00:26:43.001 align:start line:10% position:46% size:68% Please call, write, or make your gift online today. 00:26:43.001 --> 00:26:45.204 align:start line:10% position:47% size:53% Randy: You really can be the love of God 00:26:45.204 --> 00:26:46.738 align:start line:10% position:50% size:61% in someone's life today. 00:26:46.738 --> 00:26:48.373 align:start line:10% position:46% size:68% So I hope you'll go online, go to the phone, 00:26:48.373 --> 00:26:49.808 align:start line:10% position:46% size:68% make the best gift you can. 00:26:49.808 --> 00:26:53.378 align:start line:10% position:50% size:75% Give them clean water as we share the water of life, which 00:26:53.378 --> 00:26:55.981 align:start line:10% position:47% size:53% is Christ with people around the world. 00:26:55.981 --> 00:26:57.816 align:start line:10% position:50% size:41% And Blynda, hoo! 00:26:57.816 --> 00:27:00.219 align:start line:10% position:44% size:78% Blynda: I know, it was like drinking from a fire hydrant to 00:27:00.219 --> 00:27:01.920 align:start line:10% position:47% size:53% get that whole story. 00:27:01.920 --> 00:27:05.591 align:start line:10% position:45% size:73% Thank you, Lauren, thank you, Bev, for joining us today and 00:27:05.591 --> 00:27:08.927 align:start line:10% position:50% size:75% the program before to fill out this whole story of your life 00:27:08.927 --> 00:27:13.332 align:start line:10% position:50% size:81% and what God has done, and the great theme of it is redemption. 00:27:13.332 --> 00:27:17.035 align:start line:10% position:45% size:73% Randy: It is, and it is redemption, not just in their 00:27:17.035 --> 00:27:19.338 align:start line:10% position:47% size:58% case, but in all of our cases, so come back for 00:27:19.338 --> 00:27:20.672 align:start line:10% position:48% size:48% more encouragement. 00:27:20.672 --> 00:27:22.608 align:start line:10% position:50% size:65% Again, all of our programs at LifeToday.org. 00:27:22.608 --> 00:27:24.610 align:start line:10% position:50% size:75% We'll see you again next time. 00:27:24.610 --> 00:27:34.620 align:start line:10% position:48% size:18% [music] 00:27:34.620 --> 00:27:44.630 align:start line:10% position:48% size:18% [music] 00:27:44.630 --> 00:27:54.640 align:start line:10% position:48% size:18% [music] 00:27:54.640 --> 00:28:02.247 align:start line:10% position:48% size:18% [music] 00:28:02.247 --> 00:28:05.784 align:start line:10% position:50% size:81% Nick Vujicic: Eighty-seven countries, 3500 speeches, half a 00:28:05.784 --> 00:28:09.321 align:start line:10% position:44% size:78% million hugs, my arms fell off. 00:28:09.321 --> 00:28:12.558 align:start line:10% position:48% size:43% announcer: Nick Vujicic tomorrow. 00:28:12.558 --> 00:28:14.893 align:start line:10% position:44% size:78% announcer: "Life Today" is made possible by the supporters of 00:28:14.893 --> 00:28:16.228 align:start line:10% position:50% size:70% Life Outreach International. 00:28:16.228 --> 00:28:18.297 align:start line:10% position:50% size:65% Your gift will be used exclusively for the exempt 00:28:18.297 --> 00:28:19.631 align:start line:10% position:48% size:43% purposes of Life. 00:28:19.631 --> 00:28:22.100 align:start line:10% position:50% size:75% The ministry features specific outreaches as examples of the 00:28:22.100 --> 00:28:23.602 align:start line:10% position:50% size:50% programs it supports and conducts. 00:28:23.602 --> 00:28:25.737 align:start line:10% position:45% size:73% Gifts are considered to be without restriction as to use 00:28:25.737 --> 00:28:27.472 align:start line:10% position:50% size:61% unless explicitly stipulated by the donor. 00:28:27.472 --> 00:28:29.474 align:start line:10% position:48% size:48% The ministry is a member of the ECFA.