When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?”
John 5:6
After we left the hospital on Thursday, we went back to the house for lunch. It’s amazing the amount of food that these two ladies are preparing for us. The not only cook for the eleven of us, but for all who are involved in this mission trip, for all the members of the various churches. It’s so sweet, just hanging around the living room, someone always has a guitar, someone is always singing. The Spirit of the Lord flows through this place!
After lunch, we loaded into the bus and met many others from various churches at a local park. As we drove up to the park, there were two elderly women waving American flags for us. Too sweet!
Our mission was to hand out 30,000 fliers … all over the city, inviting people to the big event on Saturday evening. There were probably 20 to 25 cars in the parade …. Many vehicles with amplifier systems, broadcasting the message of the good news of Jesus throughout the streets of Punta Arenas.
People came out of their homes and businesses to see what was going on, and all were handed a flier to invite them to the big party Saturday night. These people have such a spirit of fun. It was so amazing to be in the midst of them.
We probably drove around for about two and a half hours, up and down the streets. I saw the city, in all its despair. This is not a wealthy country. The homes are small and not much like the houses in Naples. Gates are in front of everyone’s house. They may not have much, but they want to keep what is theirs.
I saw such innocent faces that day. I saw an entire family traveling on one bike, the husband riding his wife and his son. There are many cars in Punta Arenas, but there are many more bicycles. The roads are terrible. Ruts everywhere, narrow and windy, but our driver maneuvered through the maze like a pro!
After the bus trip, back to the house to change for church service that evening. As I walked through the living area, the leader of our group, Cal, pulled me aside and asked me to give the message at one of the local churches that evening. To tell them about the healing of the man in the hospital. Earlier, God had given me the story of the man at the pool in Bethesda. He had been unable to walk for 38 years. He waited by the pool, everyday, waiting for someone to help him into the water, when the angels came and stirred it, but he never made it in. Apparently, the pool had special healing powers, during this time.
Jesus walked by and asked the man if he wanted to be well, if he desired healing. The man’s reply, “Yes”. Jesus then instructed him to pick up his mat and walk. We must be willing to receive healing; we must be willing to take that first step of faith, the action of actually receiving it.
And this man did.
I was an eager to see how God was going to use this message of healing and hope.
When we arrived at Pastor Ronald’s church, there were about five people present. It was a very small storefront, with no AC. The sound system was two speakers in the front, plugged into a laptop. There was a keyboard and immediately one of the local pastors started playing and singing. The music was amazing. The Spirit of the Lord flowed through the house. The worship probably lasted an hour; the joy of the room was contagious. At one point, I turned around and the place was packed!
After the music, a doctor from Honduras shared her testimony of healing. How her muscles had been dying, how she couldn’t walk. The pain she experienced and Jesus healed her, whole and complete.
I then shared the story of the man at the pool of Bethesda and the man in the hospital, and then invited the church forward for healing prayer. At least half of the church came to the altar and we spent the next hour ministering to them. One elderly woman so touched my heart. She came up to my chest, and she just hugged me for dear life. She did not want to let go. She was the mother of 14 children, three of them in wheelchairs with various ailments. One of her sons was at the service, his chair parked at the front, praising his Lord with all his heart.
This little lady wanted nothing from me but to hold me tight. That my friends, brings you to your knees. She brought me to my knees.
When all had been prayed for, we headed back to another church, ready for more celebration. It was one of the Pastor’s birthdays, and there was more food and birthday cake, but the most special was the love of the Lord in that room. Again, every place we stepped, Jesus went before us, showering everyone with His Love.
When we headed back to the house, it had to be close to eleven o’clock, and yet I could not think of sleep. Soaking in his wonderful prescience was my agenda.
A few of us sat in our room, recounting the evening and all of its awesomeness.
And then it was time to rest ….
The Choices You Make Today …
Will Affect Your Tomorrow!
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Lessons from Life 