Hi there! To those who may be reading my blog for the very first time, I want to briefly introduce myself. My name is Paige Thaxter, I am 18 years old, and I am traveling around the world sharing the goodness of Jesus Christ in hopes to further the Kingdom of God. I know that many who are reading this come from different backgrounds and various walks of life. However, I want you to know that all are welcome here! Please share your thoughts, opinions, stories, comments- whatever is on your mind really.
I want to tell you a story of healing.
A little over a week ago, our entire group of 45 people took an impromptu trip to Swaziland due to visa issues. During the five days we were there, we stayed in a community in a fairly rural part of Swaziland. One day, we all split up into groups of four to go out into the community to pray for people. Before going out, we listened for God to give us direction on where to go and who to speak to, and I heard God telling us to go down the road towards the mountains, then take a left. The four of us headed out toward the mountains. We stopped to talk to some people and visit a few homes, and people were surprisingly hospitable considering we were strangers and didn’t speak their native language. The sun was just beginning to set and were getting ready to head back when we heard a few kids calling us over to their house. We came over to them, and one of the girls asked us to come inside. As we peeped our heads past the open door, we saw a woman laying on a chair in a quaint little living room. She welcomed us in and introduced herself as Zahneli. I noticed something wasn’t quite right when I went to shake her hand, and that’s when I noticed some crutches lying on the ground. Zahneli began telling us about herself. She lives in this home with just two of her six children. She cooks and cleans the house every day, even though her body doesn’t get around very easily. About two years back, her husband beat her with a spade and hit just the wrong nerve in her neck, causing her to loose all feeling in the right side of her body. Since then, she hasn’t had any sort of feeling in her right arm, leg, or foot. This is why she has to use a crutch to get around the house. Even then, it is extremely difficult for her to walk, because her leg feels so heavy.
We explained to Zahneli that we believe in a God who still performs miracles to this day and then we asked if we could pray for her to be healed. We all laid hands on her and asked God for healing. We probably prayed over her five or six times and between each time, she would get up and walk around to see how her body was feeling. At first, she said her leg was feeling a lot lighter when she walked around. I watched in awe, because there was a noticeable difference in the way she walked, not to mention she wasn’t using her cane. After the next few times we prayed, tears welled up in her eyes and she told us that she felt pins and needles in her leg and foot. She hadn’t felt anything in that side of her body for two years and now she was regaining feeling. All Zahneli could say was, “Praise God! I just want to dance!”. We asked Zahneli if she would feel comfortable praying for healing herself. She was nervous to pray, and she said that she just wanted to talk to God like a friend. So we all held hands and Zahneli prayed one of the most beautiful prayers I’ve ever heard. “God, I know you see me sit here in this chair every day and I’m tired of this. I know you can heal me. Please heal me. That’s my simple prayer”. She stood up one final time and this time, she moved her arm in full circles- something she hadn’t been able to do in two years.
I could go on and on about this miracle for longer than you will probably be willing to sit and read, so I’ll keep it short. My God heals. I’m not just talking about the stories you read in the Bible or hear in Sunday morning church. I mean today, God sees and heals people. He restores bodies and spirits that in human perspective, can seem too far gone. It doesn’t take complicated prayers or exquisite words. The thing is, He uses ordinary people like you and me to do it. Last week, I watched a paralyzed woman be healed before my very own eyes. And If God sent us all the way to Swaziland to heal one woman, just think what he would do to heal you. Nothing is impossible with my God.
If you made it this far, you’re a trooper. Thank you for reading! Feel free to reach out with any questions you have.
with love, Paige
