"And these signs will accompany those who believe: they will lay their hands on the sick and they will recover." (Mark 16)
I've always believed in the healing power of God. I've read stories in the Bible of the sick people that Jesus healed and thought how awesome it must've been to be one of the disciples and be a part of something so amazing. But to be honest, I don't think I fully understood what Jesus meant when He said the same power that He demonstrated is now inside of us. I can't say that I've ever really prayed for someone to be healed and seen instant healing in front of my eyes. That all changed a couple weeks ago and my faith has been growing ever since.
It was the first night in Zambia out in the bush and we were all tired from a full day of travel on the terrible roads. We had just arrived in Nzwida, our first village for ministry. Not long after setting up our tents, a crowd from the village came together in expectation, so we had our first night meeting. Jack, one of the Zambian missionaries shared the gospel in a very powerful way and gave an invitation for those who wanted to believe. Many who had come prayed to receive Christ.
Afterwards, there was an invitation for anyone who wanted prayer and we all split up among them to pray. There was an older woman who had been sitting near me who went forward. She wanted prayer because she'd been having pain in her knees and her back. A couple friends and I laid hands on her and began to pray. Next thing you know, she is bending down and touching her toes, then jumping up and down with excitement! It was amazing to watch her and to be part of the miracle that had just taken place before our eyes! I could feel my faith growing stronger, but it was only the beginning. I had no idea all that God had in store for us!
The next day, we were visiting different homes and my small group came across an entire village that needed Jesus! We shared the gospel with them and many of them eagerly received Christ. Afterwards, we asked if anyone needed prayer. Quite a few people stood up. There was a teenage girl named Charlotte who needed healing from chest pain, headaches, and a hearing problem. After we prayed for her, she said her pain was gone. Her mother wanted to test her hearing, so she walked a distance from where Charlotte stood and spoke softly. Charlotte responded and her mother beamed with a big smile. "She's healed," she exclaimed. One person after another came up for prayer and was healed from various pains and problems. It was truly amazing to see how God was working and to gain a deeper understanding of His power!
By the time we left Nzwida, many people had been healed, quite a few were set free from spiritual oppression, and nearly all of those we encountered had heard the good news of Jesus and chosen to receive Him! We couldn't wait to see all that God had in store for us at the next village!
