My low point for the month was during one of the afternoons my team and I distributed water filters in a community. As we strolled through the dirt streets of the neighborhood Professor Juan Bosch we came across a small, sky blue home that had a gate about 10 feet from the front entrance. Although the gate was locked we looked through the open door and saw that a woman was sitting inside having lunch. When she came out I mentally prepared myself to ask her the usual questions. If she had clean water, if she’d received a filter in the past, if she’s ever gotten sick from the water she was drinking, etc. But when she opened her mouth nothing came out. She was deaf and/or mute. She could only use gestures while making sounds we could not comprehend. So I told the team that we could leave because there was nothing we could do.
But as we walked away something kept eating at me from within. Something kept saying, “go engage her, go pray for her, go ask for the Lord to do His work.” And even though it was loud, even though I knew what the Lord was saying I decided to move on without voicing my thoughts to the team. I realized I did this because I was afraid. I was fearful to pray for a healing that may not happen. I didn’t want to risk looking foolish because I prayed to a God that may not answer. So that day we left and that day I realized what little faith I have.
I’ve come to understand that my lack of faith is incredibly tied to my mom’s passing. That since then I more quickly question or doubt what the Lord is asking of me. Later that day I shared with my team what I was struggling with and surely enough they challenged me to do what I felt in my heart the next time we came across this woman. A couple days later we went back to that neighborhood and during lunch time went straight to her home.
Meet Zenaida Guzman.
She is the small lady in the center. She is incredibly sweet and ended up being one of my favorite encounters of the entire month in the DR. I’m sure you’re asking, “So what happened? Can she speak now? Did God do something miraculous?” The answers are: a lot, no, and yes.
What Happened?
Over the following weeks I went back to her house and through signing and writing got to know her story. We found out she’s a believer, is married, needed a filter, is searching for a missing child that was taken from her years ago, has been mute for 42 years, and much much more. We served her by refilling 80 gallons of water from the community spigot located a couple blocks away. We provided a water filter and a care package that included many household necessities. We met her husband and after sharing the gospel prayed with him over his household, his relationship with the Lord and with his spouse. We developed such a fond relationship that each time we visited she welcomed us warmly with huge smiles, hugs and became my favorite place to visit.
Can She Speak Now?
The short answer is no. We prayed for her healing multiple times asking God to intervene. I wanted to hear her speak so earnestly that I was saddened when it never happened. Although our conversations were pleasant and sweet I was never able to hear clear words.
Did God Do Something Miraculous?
He definitely did. You see, although we loved and served her joyfully the miracle was more in us then it was for her. I noticed a change in both myself and my team. Our fear of what may not happen no longer impeded us to pray for what could. We became willing vessels that despite not knowing God’s purposes or plans would still follow His promptings. We were fearless like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego who in Daniel 3:17-18 said, “If we are thrown in the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it… But even if he does not, we want you to know that we will not serve your god or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
This stepping out in faith is the miracle God had for me. Abraham wouldn’t have become a founding father of Israel if he never left his homeland. David would’ve never been honored if he didn’t fight Goliath. Peter would’ve never walked on water if he hadn’t step out of the boat. I don’t pretend to know why God did not grant her the ability to speak. But now I better understand that I will never do or experience what the Lord has for me if I never step out in faith.
