Saturday, February 5th, 2011, just another day of relaxation.
We had just arrived to Kitale on Thursday and were told that it would be best if we took a day of rest on Friday. (It really was best, but when is resting ever a bad thing really?) At the end of the day we talked about the different ministry opportunities we were going to have this month while we were here. We were pretty excited about doing some door to door with City Light Church in Kipsongo and working with Ephraim Church Orphanage & Gilgal High School in Manahnjalala. They told us they'd just like to show us around and let us go to both places just to see what it would be like.
Now, back to Saturday. We got up that morning, got ready, all gathered around the living room for breakfast, piled in the van and headed out to Kipsongo and Manahnjalala. As soon as we got to Kipsongo we found out that we were actually not just checking it out, but that we were going to do some door to door. Just dive right in.
I'm not going to lie, I was a little aggravated at first, but then I was quickly reminded of how much I enjoy door to door so what did I really have to be aggravated about.
So we (Janell, Pastor Enoch and I) moved through the slums being followed by a herd of children that are very good at screaming, "How are you?" repeatedly the entire time they are in your presence. Of course, I have my camera out taking pictures of all the kids and the community. Turns out that there was one lady who did not appreciate me very much. She was convinced that I was taking pictures of the children for harmful purposes. In that moment I was heartbroken for her that it was enough of a reality she felt the need to fight against it; what a life it must be.
Despite such a change in atmosphere at that point we continued to move from home to home meeting new people and speaking broken greetings in Swahili. Usually giving the people something to at least laugh at, but most of the time warm up to us enough that we can share the Word and pray with them.
Eventually we made it across the main road to the other side of the slums. The very first person we encountered was an elderly lady that had spent the past several days, possibly months or years, (we aren't sure, we were told "a while") just sitting in her chair on her front porch day in and day out watching the world go by. Unfortunately she didn't have a choice. At some point in her life she'd become lame and was unable to walk or really move much.
As usual, the Pastor talked to her, told her who we were and just gave us an opportunity to share, but she was quick to ask us to pray. Of course we responded, "Sure! What would she like us to pray for?" Pastor was like, "Well, she's been lame for a while and she would like you to pray for healing on her body so that she can walk again."
The thoughts start coursing.. umm, excuse me? Does she know that we're just us? We just wanted to come and pray for the simple stuff, you know blessings, promotion, finances….but not the hard stuff, I'm not ready for that. Of course, it was my turn to pray. What was I supposed to say, "No, I'll pass, thanks." I don't think so.
So with as big a smile as I can muster in fear I walk over and lay my hands upon her. I already hear J doing her thing, and as I'm quieting myself before the Lord a wave crashes over me of peace, of knowing and I begin praying aloud in confidence.
The words just started flowing, honestly, I have no recollection of what I even said, but I remember the peace that flowed from my body to hers.
Once we were done, I didn't really know what to expect, but I knew this time felt different. Immediately J asked Pastor to ask the lady if she could try to get up and walk.
She stood to her feet. She began taking step after step like a child that was learning to walk for the first time. She walked down her porch and back, completely beside herself for her new found ability.
J was ecstatic (she'd been waiting for such a healing the whole race) and I was basically slack jawed. I didn't even know what to do with myself.
The Lord had just chosen me to not only witness, but be a part of one of His great miracles here on earth.
In that moment I found myself completely humbled and stupefied at what had just occurred. I will live the rest of my life as a direct witness to one of the millions of the Lord's miracles He gives us to revel in His glory in our lifetime.
