I try not to use the word
miracle too loosely. It’s kind of like the word awesome for me- I try to only
use it to describe God and what he is doing.
I love the stories of
miracles in the Gospels. I get the goose bumps reading about Jesus feeding
thousands with a few fish and loaves, the blind being restored to sight, demons
being cast out, and Jesus calming the storm (just to name a few)
I believe that Jesus really
did these miracles recorded in the Bible. He has supreme power over everything
in this world. The miracles Jesus did drew people to him, showed people that He
was God and opened hearts to salvation. Although Jesus is not physically
walking the earth as he was in Bible times, Jesus’ power has not changed. I
believe that nothing is impossible for him and that he still works in
incredible, supernatural ways.
Our Father is always at work
in the hearts of his children. These past few weeks he has given me three
specific glimpses into the mighty work that He is doing.
Eleven Months
She had been climbing up a
tree to get some fruit when she fell on her back and fractured 4 vertebrae. She
was in a cast from her chest to her waist for months and months. The doctors
weren’t sure if she would ever walk again. We spent lots of time praying for
her, visiting with her, and hoping that her life could return to some kind of
normal. Praise God that with time she was able to walk! Eventually she got the
cast off and was given a back brace to wear every day. I rejoice in telling you
that after eleven months, her brace is off and she is walking and even running
and playing Awana games! Praise you Lord for healing Neroliza’s body. Even when
doctors thought the situation was hopeless, you were doing a mighty work all
along!
“And those who know your
name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek
you” Psalm 9:10
We are Christians now!
One of the things I love
about the Park Care Center is the emphasis on Bible. The kids pray multiple
times a day, listen to worship music as they eat, have a 30 minute Bible class
every day, have a devotional daily, and participate in Awana weekly. If we ever
have to dismiss early because of rain or possible flooding, we ALWAYS have
Bible class first before anyone goes home. God’s word is more powerful than a
two edged sword. It is living and active. It has the power to change lives. And
that is just what is happening!
This week I heard about two
third graders who have been learning more and more about God’s love for them.
They have been going to a local church here where some of my coworkers attend.
A few months ago the two of them asked “Jebo” (works at the Care Center) to
pray with them so they could become Christians. He willingly prayed with them
and then they continued to go to church. He noticed with some time that maybe
they didn’t completely understand the decision they had made and what it would
mean for their lives, but they kept coming to church and learning! On Wednesday
afternoon, they were lined up with all the other kids waiting to come into the
Care Center. Seeing Jebo, Reily said, “Jebo- please pray with me again. I’m
really ready to become a Christian now. I know that Jesus is coming back soon!”
Jebo was happy to pray with him as he dedicated his life to Jesus. Right after,
Reily’s buddy Jerson said, “Wait, I want to do that too!” So Jebo prayed with
Jerson also. The boys were telling everyone what had happened and about their
new life in Christ!!! I could not be more excited for them. When I talked to
Reily about it, I affirmed him… “You just made the most important decision of
your life- to follow Jesus!”
I was also able to talk to
Jebo about what happened and I thanked him for being available and being such a
great example to these boys. What is so awesome is that he is a Dominican
Christian man living in this community that the boys can go to church with,
look up to, and be discipled by. I love how God orchestrated all of that! As I
told Jebo, “We need to celebrate this- we pray everyday for kids to come to
know Christ- and 2 just did!!!”
“But when the goodness and
loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works
done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of
regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly
through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might
become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:4-7
Mystery Paralysis
Rosairis is in eighth grade.
I was just working with her a few weeks ago on a letter to her sponsors and she
was talking to me about her relationship with Christ and about how much she
wants to be a nurse when she grows up. She also loves to take care of little
babies.
I can’t go into all the
details, mostly because I don’t understand everything (and the doctors don’t
really either) but suddenly she was unable to feel anything from the waist down
and was no longer able to walk. She was taken to the hospital and had a series
of tests done finding fluid in her lower back. Doctors had a few ideas on what
it could be but nothing was certain.
She was told that she would
probably never walk again. Can you imagine hearing that as an eighth grader?
What would her life be like stuck in a wheel chair or lying on a bed in a small
village in the middle of sugar cane fields?
Well, everyone began to
pray…and pray…and pray. Hoping that by some miracle she would walk again. Lots
of people visited her and prayed over her and for her trusting that God has a
plan and he is in control. After a week in a wheelchair not being able to feel
anything, she suddenly was able to walk!! There is still no human explanation
for why she couldn’t walk for a week or why she suddenly could, but I think the
pastor of the Haitian church said it best, “Mucha Fe!” (Much Faith)
“Glory in his holy name; let
the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice! Seek the Lord and his strength;
seek his presence continually! Remember the wondrous works that he has done,
his miracles, and the judgments he uttered” Psalm 105:3-5
Yes, the place where I live
and work comes with is share of challenges, but it is a place where hearts are
ready! Kids are making decisions to follow Christ! The sick are being healed!
Thank you for your prayers for me and for the kids in this community. I am in
awe of how God is answering those prayers J
“Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.” John 21:25
