On the same visit to Guatemala, my wife and I, along with the couple previously
mentioned, were asked to pray for a woman hospitalized with tuberculosis. We
found her in a ward with approximately 40 other women, the beds being only about
three feet apart. It was simply an area in the hospital where the doctors and
nurses could attend the very poor. Not even partitions separated the women. And
yes, this woman was coughing her tuberculosis all over those around her.
As we talked and prayed with her, we noticed the lady in the next bed observing
us closely. When we finished she asked if we would be willing to pray for her.
Of course we were glad to and inquired about her need. She pulled her arms out
from under the covers and showed us her two hands, curled back toward her body,
somewhat frozen in that position. They were totally unusable. Her feet were also
the same way.
While in the hospital for back surgery, the doctor had accidentally cut a nerve
in her spinal cord, leaving her in this condition. There was nothing they could
do to correct the problem.
Compassion filled our hearts as we asked the Lord to meet her need. Nothing
noticeable happened, but we encouraged her to trust the Lord and drifted across
the room to see if we could share Jesus with anyone else. No hospital employees
were present, so we had relative freedom to do as we pleased.
Just as we began to visit with another lady across the room, we heard a sudden
commotion and someone screaming, "Milagro! Milagro! Milagro!" We turned to look
and saw the lady moving her hands wildly, opening and closing them, wiggling her
fingers, kicking her feet under the covers and shouting the Spanish word for
miracle. A meeting had taken place!
I don't know who was more surprised-the lady who was healed, the other ladies in
the room or me. I hoped for a miracle but I don't think I believed for one. I
remember thinking, This sort of thing only happened during Bible days.
The next thing we knew, every woman in the room was begging us to minister to
them. We went from bed to bed just like we knew what we were doing-leading women
to Christ and praying for their recoveries. I remember thinking, This is wild.
Is it real or am I dreaming? We're having revival in a hospital ward! Several
were saved, the lady with tuberculosis was also healed and another lady who had
been scheduled for exploratory surgery the following morning was instead sent
home healed. In general, we just had a good time! We even sang a song or two.
Probably shouldn't have because a hospital employee heard us, came to the room
and asked us to leave. She left but we didn't. Too many women were begging for
prayer. A few minutes later she returned and "graciously" escorted us out of the
hospital.
What on earth can turn a sad, hopeless, disease-filled ward into a church
service? God! God meeting with people. And prayer meetings create God meetings!
Intercessory Prayer by Dutch Sheets, p.53-54. 1996, Gospel Light/Regal Books,
Ventura, CA 93003. Used by Permission
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