On Thursday, several of us went to the outskirts of the jungle. We delivered staple foods, talked with the people, shared the gospel, prayed, and sang for the different families. At the last place we visited, I went inside the one-room house to visit an elderly woman named Betty who was very sick. When I approached her, she was despondent— head down and body weak from being ill for several weeks. As we spoke to her and prayed for her, I sensed God leading me to just wrap her in a bear hug. I asked permission, then scooted close to Betty and held her in a tight embrace for about half a minute. When I let go, the presence of God was tangible, and tears ran down Betty’s cheeks. I told her how much Jesus loves her— that he understands her, is with her, and knows all the thoughts of her heart. Intermittently, I continued to give her hugs and pray for her. We decided to come back the next day to take her to the doctor. When we left, she could barely speak or sit up on her own. She did not smile.
Friday morning, we crossed the river on cable car, hiked to her house, and greeted Betty. She was able to stand! God answered our prayers, and (with assistance) Betty was able to walk down the rocky slopes! Amazing. Still, she looked sad; my contact informed me that she thought she was going to die. We took her to a missionary clinic about a 20 minute drive from the jungle. I went into the examination room with Betty and her daughter to provide support and help communicate what was going on with my contact. One missionary doctor from Holland wanted to serve this community so well that he took it upon himself to learn their tribal language in addition to Spanish, English, and Dutch. (WHA?!?!) The doctor spoke in Cetchuwa with the women, and they were comforted and grateful.
Betty left with a dual diagnosis; the doctor prescribed medication to take care of Typhoid and Parasites, but he suggested that there may be a different cause to her pain. The women had been consulting with a Shaman when then pains began. It is common both in Biblical history and modern day life for spirits to cause physical ailments, and so the doctor thought that we might be witnessing torment by deceiving spirits. The doctor prayed for the women, and we prayed with Betty again in the parking lot. I explained to her daughter the power of the blood of Jesus and prayer, and encouraged her to keep reading her Bible.
We got prescriptions, took the women out to lunch, and continued to pray for them.
It was amazing to watch as the Holy Spirit continued to lift Betty’s countenance. During lunch, she started smiling a little bit. By the time we were travelling home, she was smiling and laughing when I made (lame) jokes with her.
Betty chose to receive Jesus as her Savior, friend, and God. Her daughter is also interested in growing in a relationship with Jesus. We will return to visit their family again on Tuesday. Please pray with me: Jesus is currently healing that family physically and spiritually. Please pray for protection, healing, and good “spiritual soil” for Betty and her family. Pray that demonic curses from the Shaman would have no hold or power over them any longer. Instead, that they would be blessed by the Holy Spirit.
It was and is such a joy to get to participate in Jesus’ life on this earth. I came on the world race to live out what he started when he said, “The Spirit of Adonai is upon me because he has anointed me to announce Good News to the poor; he has sent me to proclaim freedom for the imprisoned and renewed sight for the blind, to release those who have been crushed, to proclaim a year of the favor of Adonai”. (Luke 4:18).I got to bring Jesus to Betty, and there is no greater thing.
Me, Betty (right) & Betty’s daughter (left)
