It was a normal, eventful ministry day for my team and I. Singing, testifying, and preaching at a church in a far off village; reaching people of all ages. After our second service we all went out for a walk around the village to pray for people who either couldn’t make it to church or don’t go to church at all. As we dodged the barbed wires and the wild animals along the walk we came up to our first house. This is where we met him.
Meet John.
John is a middle-aged man who lives alone with his wife in the house next to the church where we had been preaching. They have no children and live a very simple life with only the necessities available. John is a hard worker, an influencer of the community, and a follower of Jesus Christ. Within the church, he is an active leader; continuously pointing people to the Lord.
Last October, the unpredictable happened.
John had a massive stroke.
He fell hard with only his wife around to take care of him. He lost mobility in his lower extremities, one of his arms was unable to lift itself, and he could barely see or speak. He couldn’t work and provide for his family. His only way of movement was to have his wife carry him from place to place. He still had his life, but what kind of life was it. He questioned God relentlessly, “Why?”
“Why?”
“Why?”
“Why?”
Being a faithful man of God he deliberately found ways to get to church. People carried him from his house across the way, dodging the same barbed wires and wild animals. For three months the congregation prayed for healing over him. Every week they diligently prayed for God to restore him. And wouldn’t you know… God showed up.
Come November, John started raising his arm little by little, come December he started slurring some speech, and come January he was able to say full phrases and communicate vaguely with the people around him. The doctor’s were amazed. After a stroke like his he shouldn’t be able to do any of these things and there he was continuously healing day after day.
Fast forward to April. This is when we met him.
John still has no mobility in his lower extremities. The church has since bought him a bike that he can move around in by turning a wheel with his good arm and his other arm can raise up to his neck. He can speak full sentences and is able to converse clearly with those around him. His wife still provides for the family and takes care of him the best she can.
While visiting the village our team was able to pray with them both and share with them how much Jesus loves them. At the words, “Jesus has not forgotten you”, John began to weep. He expressed that our visit was truly a blessing and that he will never forget the love that we have demonstrated towards him and his family. We saw John only once more during our time in India. He had a front row seat at our going away celebration.
Jesus does not forget about us, even in the hard times when we’re struggling to keep things together. John truly preserved with the power of faith. He had faith that God could and would heal him and now he is a living example to his community and all who meet him of just how much God loves us. I thank God for placing people like John in my life. It is a reminder of just how precious a single life can be.
Please join with me in constant prayer for John and his family.
