Moments to remember

Summer is such an exquisite time of the year. The annual trek to the lake house with long-time friends was lovely, as always. There is nothing more relaxing to me than floating on a raft watching the clouds shift in shape or staring into the campfire enjoying the silence of the evening broken only by the croak of a frog or the gentle splash of a fish~and, of course, conversation.

But moments such as these must end and we are called back to life as we know it.

The drive back into the city was peaceful enough. Not much happening on the highway at 6:30 a.m.

Serving breakfast to the hungry folks at East Liberty Crossroads campus followed by worship was a good way to re-enter the real world. The day was filled with busyness and meetings and even some frustration, but deep in the back of my mind, I was still floating on the raft. I can retreat anytime I want by simply revisiting that experience~

As I prepare to return to Mozambique this fall, there are memories I revisit to remind me why I want to return. Little Lucas, who was so sick then after prayer was playing and healthy, is a memory I revisit often. It reminds me that God wants to heal his people and he wants to use us to accomplish that purpose! How amazing to be a part of such a moment.

This next trip is stretching me, stretching me beyond my comfort zone to be sure. We call ourselves the "Healing Hands" team, and it is our intention to allow God to use us any way he chooses as we share the good news of Christ and pray for healing for the people we meet while we are there.

In Scripture, healing always seems to go beyond the physical realm to the spiritual. In 2Chronicles 30, Hezekiah prayed for the people who came to the Passover unprepared~ unclean. They had strayed so far from the ways of God, they had forgotten the ceremonial cleansing required by God, and Hezekiah asked God to pardon everyone who "set their heart on seeking God". Then he says, ..."and he healed them". God heals us where and when we truly need healing. When we ask for physical healing for someone, we often overlook the spiritual condition of that person. God does not overlook the spiritual needs; as a matter of fact, he goes right to the heart of the person and heals them from the inside out.

It is my humble prayer that God will have his way this September with the Healing Hands and use us to bring healing, physical and spiritual, to the people we meet in Mozambique.

The Power of Prayer

This is Lucas. During our first two days of teacher training, he slept. At first, I thought he was just a good baby but Tuesday morning, I saw that his eyes were crusted shut and his nose plugged. He clearly was not well.
My heart ached for him. On Tuesday, he was still listless, and I asked a woman who was a nurse from a different team if she had seen him. She had and said his mother was giving him some medicine and that lots of people in his village were sick; even his mom didn't look like she felt well.

"Well, it's good he's getting medicine. Surely, he will get better"....
But little Lucas kept tugging at my heart. During one of the breaks, I found Pastor Jonathan and asked him if he would ask Lucas' mother, Julia, if I could pray for him. He did ask and I prayed.
The next day, I arrived in the classroom to this sight:
Lucas was up and around, bright eyed and ready to play! He looked like a different child.
I am sorry to say I was surprised~
Since I left Mozambique, I have been bothered by my surprise that Lucas got better after being prayed for. What am I praying for if I don't believe God will do the work? So, I have since been praying "expectantly"~trusting God to heal those He brings into my life for prayer. I continue to pray for Lucas and his mother. I thank God for the power of prayer!
Amen.