Brankica Klobuèareviè
Working with disabled individuals in Croatia this month has been really touching. It has been amazing to see how God is working in the lives of his children around the world. During a discussion group this week, I met two women who I felt God was prompting me to interview, to share their stories with the world about how God has touched and transformed their lives. First, is Brankica. I hope that hearing the testimonies of these women touches your life as much as it has touched mine.
Brankica Klobucarevic is originally from Virovitica, Croatia. Brankica worked as a saleswoman for many years. Then 10 years ago at age 35 she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and the doctors informed her that there was no cure for this disease. Within 9 months of being diagnosed, Brankica was no longer able to walk or even get out of bed. The disease had progressed rapidly and she was quickly stripped of her ability to work or even take care of herself or her family. She was no longer independent and was forced to rely on others to take care of her. She was completely dependent on them to feed, change, and bathe her and to take care of all her needs. From diagnosis to paralysis, everything transpired very quickly and Brankica felt as though she was lost and she did not even know what was happening. During this time, she had been living with her boyfriend. However, because of her MS, he dumped her and she was forced to go live with a family that was willing to take care of her. Unfortunately, this family did not provide her with the care she needed. They did not feed her well. They did not change her often. They were not loving and did not provide the care that she needed. Then one day, a social worker came to visit her and she was brought to the institution where she is currently.
Brankica said that one of the hardest things for her upon being diagnosed with MS and losing the ability to care for herself and others was the effects it had on her family. Her father had been living with her and he was no longer with her. It was even more difficult was knowing that her 15 year old son was separated from her. She was now living in an institution and he was on his own.
When she first came to the center, Brankica did not know that there was weekly mass on site. But 8 years ago, a nun and a priest came to see her while they were at the institution. This was a turning point in Brankica’s life. They spoke with her about Jesus, shared with her the importance of confessing her sins, and taught her how to pray. They also gave her a necklace with a cross on it to remind her to pray and to put her trust in God. After this visit, she began praying every day and she accepted Jesus into her heart and began a relationship with him.
Upon beginning a relationship with Christ, she began to attend weekly mass and weekly prayer group at the institution. She also spent time in prayer and reading her Bible. Then about six years ago, she heard about a priest who said some impactful things about how God changes lives and it peaked her interest. Then she decided to attend a Christian seminar in Zadar, Croatia where this priest would be speaking.
She attended this seminar by a charismatic priest James Manjackl from India and it really expanded her understanding of her faith. At the seminar, the speaker asked everyone to write down the desire of their heart. Brankica wrote “I want to get better and I want to walk.” When the priest prayed for Brankica, he placed his hand on her head and she had her palms open and faced towards heaven. Then, he invited the Holy Spirit to come and to move during times of prayer. As he prayed for her, her leg began to rotate and then it stopped. This is significant because up to this point, she was unable to feel anything in her legs and was very much paralyzed in most of her body. Yet during this time of prayer, she felt something for the first time in years! Even after she left the seminar, within a few days she was feeling better than she had since she had been diagnosed. She was experiencing supernatural healing. After coming home from the seminar, she began doing exercises and was actually able to begin to walk with the assistance of a walker after not walking for four years! Brankica emphasizes how much she is grateful to God for the healing she has experienced in her life. Every time she feels movement in her legs she says “Thank you God!”
Since attending numerous additional seminars and receiving prayer for healing, Brankica has reported that something is happening in her left knee, that she is feeling things. However, the physical therapist claimed that this is impossible because Brankica cannot feel anything in her legs or her lower body. Brankica explains that she can feel things because of her connection with God.
Attending these charismatic seminars has been influential in Brankica’s life. Five years ago, she attended one seminar and went forward for prayer. She reports being able to physically feel the presence of the Holy Spirit in her body and was once again told she would be healed. Brankica still believes that God will heal her. She says that after the seminar, she was still not able to walk. But she was not sad that she was not healed in this way, she was happy that she had a peace that only comes from God. She says, “Everything that is happening to me is God’s will. I am not worried about it. Everything that is happening in my life, God is doing that.”
Sometimes she asks herself, “What would have happened if I did not find God?” But amidst the difficulties, she continues to thank God for the blessings in her life. And these seminars have taught her how to respond during difficult times. Now whenever she is having a hard time, she put her palms face up and prays. She says that when she does that, she feels a peace and calm and a release.
At another seminar, James talked about healing people from addictions including alcohol and cigarettes. Her son was with her at this seminar and when James began to pray for those people struggling with these addictions, through the power of the Holy Spirit her son’s legs began to shake. But, her son did not want to confess his sins nor did he desire to change his lifestyle and he did not receive freedom or healing from his addiction.
Her father and son were a great support to her in the beginning of her journey with MS. However, when she started believing in God and experiencing the Holy Spirit, her father said that someone had cast a spell on her and he stopped communicating with her completely. Then, one day after much time had passed she heard that her father had passed away. She also spoke to her son about what God was doing in her life. She shared with him the importance of having a relationship with Jesus and told him that he needs to pray. But, he consistently responded by saying that he does not have time for that. She says that she once felt the same way in the past. But when she got sick, she changed her story. Even though her son is not interested in seeking God, Brankica continues to pray for him.
At the end of the interview, I was struck by the number of times Brankica had received prayer for healing, she was told she would be healed, and even though she did not begin to walk on her own, she continues to have faith that God will heal her. I believe there is a common misconception that being “healed” by God means that Brankica would get up out of her wheelchair, begin to walk, and never suffer from MS again. But, healing is not all or nothing. Healing is not walk or don’t walk. I asked Brankica in what ways God has healed her since she was admitted to the institution and began her relationship with Jesus. She said that when she was admitted to the institution several years ago, she was unable to do anything with her hands or arms and could not take care of herself. But, God has healed her hands and arms and she is now able to feed herself, transfer herself from the bed to the wheelchair, pull herself up in bed, and basically do anything with her hands and arms. She has also had times when she has been able to walk with the assistance of a walker.
Brankica is a woman of faith. During her 10 year battle with MS, she has been walking with God for the past 8 years and it has completely transformed her life. I am amazed at the strength of the faith she has in the Lord and her confidence that he will heal her. She says, “When Jesus was on the earth He was healing, now He heals through prayer.” Brankica continues to seek God in prayer and perseveres with faith that God. God has already done amazing healing in her life and her body and she believes that he will continue to heal her as he has already been doing.
