When you first meet people, sometimes things about them make you wonder what their story is. With some other people, they seem so normal to you that you don’t even think to ask.
So many faces from this past week linger in my mind as I think about all the stories we’ve heard.
Rescued from the flames
Vanilla is a young woman with the most beautiful smile. Noticing the scars on her face and neck, and then her gnarled hand, you begin to wonder what her story could be.
About seven years ago, Vanilla doused herself in kerosene and set herself on fire after she found out that she had failed an exam at school. About 99% of her body was burned. Though her heart was still beating, the doctors told her parents that there was no hope of survival. Their options were either to have her cremated or to take her home with them. Her parents took her home.
The neighbors questioned the decision. The girl was hardly alive, they said. The whole neighborhood reeked because of her wounds. Vanilla’s parents didn’t give up hope. Devout Hindus, they sought every god, every cure, every healer and even witch doctors to try to find a miracle for their daughter.
One day, that miracle came. The pastor of Comfort of Jesus Church was visiting church members in the same neighborhood with his wife and they were drawn to Vanilla’s house by the smell. The pastor asked to enter the house. After finding out what the situation was, the pastor prayed over a bottle of oil that he then gave Vanilla’s parents to anoint her body with (James 5:14). Though the healing took time, the impossible happened. Her skin began to grow back and cover her wounds. When another pastor prayed over her, a demon that was within her was casted out of her body.
Papa, thank you for showing your glory in Vanilla’s life. Thank you for your love and your peace and joy that is so evident in her. Bless her as she continues to seek after You. Continue to use her in mighty ways for your kingdom, God.
