My dear southern-born teammate, now squad leader, was diagnosed with MS years ago. It has really taken a toll on his body, but I always witness him with the greatest joy and trust in the Lord. His belief in God to heal him in His due time has been such a testimony. For the past few months I have been able to live with him and grow in so much respect and love for him.
This is Jake with me and teammate, Emily P.
One memory for instance was when our teams’ were going hiking on a Saturday morning in the jungle of Guatemala. It was the steepest and trickiest hike I have ever encountered. As we went, Jake sat back. He is a man from Tennessee, from the mountains. He loves anything a typical mountain boy love which includes hikes, trees, trails, bush whacking and adventures. Seeing him rock in the rocking chair wondering how he felt in staying back while so many thing that bring him joy were being done by the rest of us broke my heart.
Another memory I have is after he gave me, along with many others, a hug one evening. I could not help but wonder if when he hugs someone if he fears not being able to physically embrace someone later in life into a deep hug.
One evening during a Bible study during our last few days in Albania, I was sitting next to him and thinking about him and without anyone knowing, I began to cry for him. I cried because I so badly wanted him to be healed. It broke my heart to see such a courageous, prophetic, trusting man to be overtaken by a silly yet powerful disease. We have been studying Matthew all month in Albania reading about Jesus healing people from silly, powerful diseases. Jesus is able, He is willing and He is does it!
So the other evening, it was our second night in Bulgaria as a squad. We had been informed of team changes and new squad leaders the evening prior and emotions were all over the place. Change is hard especially when community is emphasized and known so strongly and intimately. The theme of the evening was on the trustworthiness of the Lord. We sang of His faithfulness and how we choose to trust Jesus despite our confusion and disappointment about change. It was a powerful strategic night of worship by the Lord.
During the service we were reminded by squadmate Rayna who had been nudged by the Lord of a new perspective. She reminded us that God called us to Bulgaria because He has something for us here! We were previously set to go to India, but got changed for Bulgaria. India was the country we all thought would be the best and many applied for this route because of India, but now we are in Bulgaria. I cannot help but believe it is because this is to the Lord better than what we believed would be the best, India.
Moments later, another squadmate, Savannah, spoke up in tears. She was on Jake’s team and has been constantly praying for healing for his body. And she believed to have heard the Lord say over two months ago that it will happen. In the service of us choosing faith, to speak truth and trust the Lord, God told her “Now”. It was time for Jake to be healed. This country, this month, Bulgaria. In the midst of our confusion of God’s faithfulness to us in regards to team changes and in regards to country switches it was as if He was honoring our faith and trust.
And we prayed. And we wept. And when we were done praying, it was Jake with so much passion saying “LET’S WORSHIP HIM!” and we continued and forevermore we will continue.
Our God is a God of His Word. His intentions and strategies are perfectly willed. And in trusting Him and following Him we get to walk in freedom and humility and power and perfect wholeness!
