Disclaimer: My post are usually not this long, BUT I promise you this one is worth reading in its entirety.
It’s Sunday and I just had an awesome weekend off adventuring through Nicaragua. Went to Ometepe Island to visit some friends and also somehow ended up in San Juan del Sur after missing the last bus to Granada. Best unfortunate situation ever! San Juan was the cutest surf town I’ve ever seen. Missing the last bus to Granada was a blessing!
On our way back to Managua my team were pushed onto a bus but we figured if it would get us home, why not. Being the finance coordinator for the team I asked how much before hopping on and I was told C$45 (cordobas) per person. The conductor (person who collects the bus fee) approached me and said C$50, I argued and said “uh uh, homeboy over there (I pointed to Jose) told me C$45." The conductor laughed and said “Him. He’s deaf.” I looked over and Jose had no clue of our conversation so I knew he was deaf. I thought “Dang. Now I look like a liar. I’m positive one of the conductor boys told me C$45.” My skill of persuasion worked as the conductor finally decided to negotiate with me.
Moments later Jose decided to strike up a conversation with me by playing sharades and texting his thoughts through his phone. I wasn’t quite in the mood to engage in conversation as it has been quite a long travel day. San Juan is about 4 hours away from Managua and I really just wanted to get home but here I was stuck on a bus that probably had the capacity of 75 but there were 150 people. Unfortunately, I decided to sit on the stairs of the bus so I was lucky enough to have a man’s behind right in front of my face. Great! Jose was relentless so I gave in and texted responses back to him. I indulged his conversation until I realized when he turned around for a few moments the water dripping on the outside window of the bus doors was not rain but instead Jose’s urine. So I guess in third world countries it’s perfectly ok to piss outside the door of a moving vehicle. Umm….I learn something new everyday. He turns back around with a grin (the same grin children have when they did something they were told not to do) and tried to get my attention by tapping me. Ewww. I put in my ear phones and ignored him.
I moved from the stairs to an open chair and within 10 minutes the Holy Spirit began convicting my heart. He said “Why are you ignoring my child?” I said, “God I’m tired and did you see what he did? That’s gross.” God said “Who are you to judge.” Then he began to remind me of Jose’s kindness. Jose had asked me earlier (through text) where I was going and was trying to help me get there safely including helping my new friend I just met from Holland. Immediately I felt bad and began to pray for him and said how I wished he could hear me talk to him. As I prayed a vision flashed before my eyes of my hands over his ears praying. Alarmed I said no that’s not going to happen even though over the years I’ve learned not to argue with God – I tend to lose. At that moment the Lord told me that I was going to do that and be a part of his healing.
Then the weirdness commenced. As I sat on the bus my hands began to shake uncontrollably. I tried to hide it but it was virtually impossible. They got really hot and I immediately felt the manifestation of the Holy Spirit. I thought, ah God not now this is embarrassing, please make it stop, everyone is looking at me. I had like 15 pairs of Nicaraguan eyes staring me down. Once I realized God was not going to relent, I took out my phone, which I almost dropped because my hands were still shaking. I typed all in Spanish:
Soy una misonera. Yo creo que Dios puede ayudarle a oir. Puedo orar por ti?”
I’m a missionary. I believe God can help you to hear. Can I please pray for you?”
Jose read my note nodded then handed over my phone to another conductor. I thought, ah man I’m about to get my phone jacked. I later realized he was getting permission from the other guy so someone can take over his conducting duties. He then tells me to wait. 10 minutes goes by. Nothing. Hands still shaking. Another 10 minutes. What’s taking so long. God, “My timing is perfect. Wait for me Tayo. Keep praying.” So I did. 30 minutes later Jose returns and nods to let me know he’s ready. I take my shaky hands put it over his ears and began to pray. At that moment I felt an incredible power take over me. I didn’t care as everyone stared at me as the Holy Spirit moved and I began to speak in tongues. All I cared about was Jose and him receiving the gift God had for him at that moment. As soon as I finished praying my hands stopped shaking. I smiled and knew something incredible just transpired.
A few moments later I noticed all the men around Jose began to laugh. I asked God why wasn’t he healed immediately. The Spirit told me to start praying for Jose’s faith. You see without faith healing is impossible. I began to pray that his faith is not wavered through all the taunting. Minutes later Jose returns to me to confirm my bus stop. I took out my phone to write Managua but then God tells me why don’t I trust him. I immediately put my phone away, looked into Jose eyes and said:
Yo voy a Managua. Me entiendes? He replied with the biggest smile, “Si.”
I am going to Managua. Do you understand me… "Yes!”
My eyes widened and everyone around me just stared in disbelief!! I asked Jose if he could hear me and he said a little. I sat back put on some worship music and began to praise God. What a testimony! A deaf man can hear and I was part of it!!!! That was so cool!! I’m simply glad to be used as a vessel to cause a dramatic healing in Jose’s life. I firmly believe God is going to complete his healing in due time and he will be able to hear very clearly!
I know many of you may be reading this and thinking that’s impossible, but I tell you with God nothing is impossible. Before the race I always said I want to be part of something incredible. I want God to use me to heal the blind, the deaf, and spread the word of Jesus to everyone. God can not be contained in a box or confined to a building we like to call "church". If we read and believe every word in the bible, how come we don’t believe that same God can heal us or use us to heal? What situation or sickness are you facing or someone you know is facing? I encourage you to have faith that God will come through. The same God that healed Jose is more than capable of showing up in your situation. Pray and believe! Allow the Holy Spirit to move.
Mark 5:34
Jesus said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering."
Click here to read my teammate Lauren’s version of what transpired and here for Susan's.
With Love,
