Experiencing the Power of God

Between writing lesson plans and researching for my dissertation, I have found little time to blog recently. However, I want to share with you about an experience I had in Africa.

I was going hut-to-hut sharing the gospel with my friend, Robert. It was time for lunch and we were walking back to the church to meet the rest of the team for lunch. On the way, a lady sitting by the path stopped us. She began sharing about her uncle who was paralyzed and begged us to go and visit him. She had heard that missionaries were in the area and she believed that her uncle would be healed if only we would visit him.

Robert began to share with her about the centurion in the Bible who came to Jesus on behalf of his servant. Robert explained that just as Jesus did not have to go and visit the man to heal him, we did not have to visit her uncle in order for God to bring healing. We then shared the good news of the gospel with her and her children, and they all prayed to receive Christ.

In response to her request, we agreed to go and visit her uncle. When we arrived, we saw a thin man lying in the bed. His legs looked literally like skin and bones, brittle and without muscle. My heart hurt for this family. The niece explained that doctors had told them he was paralyzed and that there was nothing they could do to help him.

One of our translators, Christopher, told the man, “Your niece has faith that if we pray over you, God will heal you. Her faith is not enough. You must believe in the Lord Jesus.” He explained to the man his need for salvation and the man surrendered his life to Christ, experiencing spiritual healing. Christopher then asked the man if he believed that God could heal him. The man answered, “Yes!” Christopher then said, “In the name of Jesus, get up and walk.”

At this point I had a crisis of belief. Would God heal this man? Could this man whose legs had no visible muscles possibly walk again? I remember thinking, “OK, God. Your name is on the line. What are you going to do?”

Again Christopher said, “In the name of Jesus, get up and walk!” The man began to sit up and his family rushed to the bed to help him. Christopher told the family to let him be. “In the name of Jesus, get up and walk.” Slowly the man slid off the bed into a standing position. With Christopher continuing to command in Jesus’ name, the man took one, two, three steps.

My eyes had to be huge at this point! He did it! He took 3 steps!

Christopher then said, “Walk outside. In the power of Jesus’ name, walk.” The man walked outside and turned around and walked back to his home. He then began raising his hands and dancing before the Lord. I watched with tears pouring down my face as his family raced to embrace him. God had healed the lame — not only physically but spiritually as well. God Did It!!!!

Before we left, I encouraged the man to go and tell everyone he knew that Jesus Christ had healed him. I was in awe as we left his home…there really are no words to explain what it felt like to experience this miracle. Even now as I type, my eyes well up with tears.

What a mighty God we serve!