What would you do if you walked into a Hospital waiting-room and saw an old man laying motionless on the floor?
Now lets just say that, that old man wasn’t the only person on the floor but the person your instantly drawn too.
And lets go ahead and say that the 1st thing you do before introducing yourself is place your hand on his chest and pray for a miracle..
Than that man gets up and walks..
What would you do?
Let me tell you.. I freaked out! It was awesome!! 🙂
Now, a little back story to fill in some details.
Thus far we’ve done: street preaching, door to door evangelism, school visits, preaching in the church, and we’ve held several prayer meetings.
It just so happens that the largest hospital in Uganda is located in Kampala. So pastor set the date to take us there to see the facility, and pray for the sick.
My group found our way to the front door after a quick prayer for guidance, healing hands and Wisdom. Once the entrance was behind us it was chaos. We shuffled past tons of people! This hospital has huge but still didn’t have room for all the patients. We walked from one corridor to the next and stumbled into a waiting room outside of the “Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Wing”. This is where I met Andrew.
Scanning the flooded room we saw prisoners in bright orange jumpsuits guarded by Camo-Suited Policemen carrying AK-47 rifles, ladies caressing children on the floor, a deteriorating old man sitting in a chair gazing into the heavens, Islamic families huddled together, the occasional nurse helping someone into the next room, and Andrew, sprawled out on the floor by the wall. Barefoot. Dirt stained corduroys. Filthy plaid shirt. A week old beard with white hairs covering ground. And a large walking “stick” laying beside him.
Looking at him he reminded me of the Masai Tribe we saw in Kenya. Shoes aren’t too popular amongst them. Neither was speaking English.
I felt a tug to pray for him, so I followed. Kneeling down by his side I put my right hand on his chest and prayed. And prayed. When I ran out of words I opened my Bible to find promises on healing, than prayed some more. When I opened my eyes to flip through pages in my Bible I caught him looking at me with his soft eyes. Not saying a word, he nodded with approval than closed his eyes with squinting pain.
Minutes later Gerard (co-pastor at our church) came over to translate. Andrew showed us the problem on his calf and back.
With Andrew seated upright, the 3 of us prayed.
I was mid prayer for his calf when I heard the two of them talking, and Gerard laughing than Andrew repeating the words Gerard expressed. Gerard looked to me and said “He accepted Jesus!”
Wow! I wasn’t expecting that! I assumed he knew the Lord.
With apparent pain we helped Andrew to his feet and prayed. My mind was flooded with verses saying “Your healed, pick up your mat and walk” so Andrew attempted to.
His first steps we were by his side to keep him stable. He scooted across the floor. Than one of us would let go. He straightened his back. Than we were holding him by a hand.. and soon enough his stride was lengthening and he was walking on his own! No assistance! One short stride at a time. He looked a little stiff but apparently he felt better than usual as he motioned toward the exit! Before he got to the door we slowed him down to talk. I hugged him and prayed and Gerard “reminded” him not to forget his walking “stick”! 🙂
We arranged a ride for Andrew to get home from the hospital. Stick in hand he walked out of the waiting room without ever needing to see a doctor.
