Our God hears our prayers

"And the prayer of faith shall save the sick." -- James 5:15a

During my trip to the Philippines a couple months ago, we got to know one particular woman. Her children are in the Obadiah Learning and Development Academy, and the family was introduced to the gospel of Jesus Christ through the school. 

In the hospital

Up until the time of my visit, this dear woman had been sick for a long time. In fact, before my trip, Bro. Joel told me of this woman who was so sick she couldn't sit through the service without collapsing. Her husband earns his living as a motorcab driver (a motorcab is a motorbike with a side saddle). The family was left with very little money for the needful medicine and treatments.

The children were often missing school to take care of their mother, and most expected the worst. She tried many different medical treatments, including visiting "kwak"doctors who were unable to do anything for her. My first full day in Punta, we met with the Obadiah parents, and they asked me to pray over this woman. Then, later during my stay, they told us she had been admitted to the hospital. 

So one Sunday after the service and some baptisms, her husband took me and some others to the hospital to visit this dear woman. How do you offer encouragement to a perpetually sick woman who understands maybe one-fourth of the words you say? I didn't do it very well, I don't think. But one verse that came to mind was the passage referenced at the top of the page. I let this new believer know that God promises to heal the sick if they pray. 

Jesus tells us that we will see amazing things if our faith is the size of a mustard seed. Well, that's being generous to describe my faith that day. In fact, I prayed for her with very little faith. I can be guilty of very weak faith at times. But after we prayed and we talked, she told Bro. Joel (who translated for me) that "now I know I must trust Jesus to heal me." (Quotes are as well as I can remember after two months.)

How is the family now? Well, after prayers of many believers (most of whom have greater faith than I do), we get this report from Bro. Joel.

"If she was so sickly before," Bro. Joel said, "it is the opposite now, to God be the glory! Now she drives motorbike to fetch her relatives to church, Amen!"

In fact, the family is reaching another family, bringing the family to the church and to the in-home Bible study. 

"Pastor Mario and the whole church were amazed last Sunday for her," Bro. Joel said.

God's people praise Him because He restored the health of this dear woman. Notice what else Bro. Joel told us.

"Her testimony, if not of Obadiah, she will not know Christ and believe on Him and got healed from her illness," he said.

Her children attend the school because of a third-party sponsor. This is why we tell you these stories. For between $15 and $50 a month (depending on government department of education fees), you can sponsor a child in the school. Imagine that. You may never get to go to the Philippines, but you could be a part of reaching an entire family with the good news of Jesus Christ.

When you join with an indigenous mission work, do you realize you are partakers in their fruit? Just look at this family. A poor family with minimal income, a sick mother, and multiple children. Now, they have Christ, the mother is driving a motorbike under her own strength, and not only are they converted, but they are reaching other families. 

What on earth can compare to being a part of impacting the eternity of people? Please pray for this ministry, and pray about joining in with the work. 

And let's rejoice at the work that God is doing through these dear, wonderful people.