On the second Sunday evening of training camp (August 27), the session was on the power of the Holy Spirit. At the end of the session, the trainers and leaders prayed for all the world racers to receive the baptism (power) of the Holy Spirit. Once everyone had been prayed for, the world racers broke up into groups and started praying for healing.
One person was healed of chronic back pain that they had been experiencing for several years. Another girl had come to training camp with a locked jaw and while people were praying, it unlocked. Other people had feet healed. One of the girls I was praying with received healing from the severe stomach pain she had been having for the past two days. And I am sure there are many other stories that I did not get to hear.
Now, let me back up to July 6. On that day I went on a hike with some of my siblings. While on the hike, I started to fall and flung my right arm out to catch my balance. I felt a small bit of pain in my shoulder at the time but not enough for me to be overly concerned. I was off that day and didn’t go into work until late afternoon on Friday. I didn’t do anything that really used my arm so I didn’t notice that it wasn’t working like normal. That changed just a few minutes into my shift when I tried to pick up a pack of bottled water and couldn’t. The more I used my arm, the more painful it became. First thing Monday morning, I called the doctor.
After the doctor visit, I had my arm in a sling for the next week. (Actually, I wore a sling over most of the weekend too.) I tried to limit myself from doing anything that could put stress on my shoulder. It didn’t seem to work and the pain kept getting worse so I called the doctor again and an MRI was scheduled.
Then I went on vacation July 15-21. I didn’t use the sling most of the time but I also wasn’t using my arm much either and when my shoulder did start to hurt, I would take a break and sit on the beach. By the end of the week, my shoulder was feeling so much better that I was considering canceling the MRI. One day back at work told me that would not be wise.
The MRI revealed that I had an AC joint sprain and swelling. In other words, the acromioclavicular ligament that attaches the clavicle to the top of the scapula had been stretched and possibly slightly torn. I was told that I would need 6 weeks of Physical Therapy and could not lift anything heavy or carry my pack for at least 4 weeks. My first PT appointment was on August 11. The following week, I had 2 more PT appointments before leaving for training camp.
During training camp, there were several times when I had to limit myself because of my shoulder. The most noticeable was the fact that I couldn’t lift my pack. I also paid more attention to the fact that I had lost a significant amount of mobility in my right shoulder. There were several days when I had to ice my shoulder and take pain medication. (Side note: In an “of course God would” fashion, one of my coaches used to be a Physical Therapist.)
But on Sunday, August 27, all the pain disappeared. As far as I know nobody prayed specifically for my shoulder but on the night that we prayed for healing, all pain disappeared and I regained full mobility. I haven’t had any pain since! Not even after sleeping on it several times, going back to work, and another PT appointment. Also, at the end of my last PT appointment, I was told that I only need one more time (that was already scheduled) unless I feel like coming back to be able to use their equipment for further strengthening!
I thank God for the healing I saw in my own life and the lives of others. It was not limited to physical healing either. There are so many stories of emotional, mental, spiritual, and relational healing as well. I encourage you to go read some blogs by my squad mates to get a fuller picture of what God did at training camp.
But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation say continually, “Great is the LORD!” – Psalm 40:16 ESV
