Healing

The year 2011 was by far a challenging year for us, probably one of the most challenging since we have been on the mission field. One of the greateset challenges we faced last year came to us in the form of health problems. Many of you know that, for several years, Bobby had been battling a persistent cough and over the past year his cough had gotten progressively worse. Bobby's cough had actually gotten to the point where he was coughing every 1 to 2 seconds, especially after a long day, when under a lot of stress, when in the air conditioning, or when he was talking a lot. After several tests and visits to the doctor, he was diagnosed with lung calcifications that were believed to be caused by work exposure to dust, mold, and other particles during his time of working in construction while living in the United States. We were told that there was nothing that could be done for this.

Many people, from all over, were praying tirelessly for Bobby’s healing. During this time Bobby too was praying, but he was praying that God would increase his faith. And, as we know, the best way to increase one’s faith is through trials. In addition we had also been studying in-depth several verses on the relationship between gratitude and healing.

On the morning of Tuesday, November 15th Bobby was in the church praying once again for healing and asking for answers. During his prayer time he felt God nudging him inside and asking him, “what is different about today?” The answer….he hadn’t coughed and he also realized that he hadn’t taken his medication. God said, “trust me.” That afternoon Bobby came home and said that he felt like God wanted him to throw his medication away (he had been on Nasonex for about a month) and he asked if I recognized anything different about him. I immediately responded that he wasn't coughing!

Since that day, he hasn’t coughed. Not even to clear his throat. Not even when Sarah and I came down with a terrible upper respiratory infection that we passed along to the other youth. It has now been 2 months and Bobby hasn't even so much as clearned his throat. We can hardly believe it! We believe with all of our hearts that God has healed him.

 Since that day Bobby has had several meetings where he had to speak alot, and we also held a large (and quite stressful) youth event in another town where Bobby spoke. All of these things would have normally aggravated his already constant cough, but not anymore. He even sometimes gets into the car and turns the air conditioning on full blast just to see what will happen...and nothing does (except for the fact that the car gets really cold!). Normally he would not be able to have handled all of the cold air but now it isn't a problem.

The first week after his healing Bobby spoke at a youth service and he asked the youth if they recognized anything different about him. They immediately responded that he wasn't coughing. One of the leaders then began crying and said that in all the time that he had known Bobby he had never had a conversation with him where Bobby wasn't coughing. This, for us, for all of us, is a miracle.

 The past few months have been a true journey and test of faith. Bobby believes that God was wanting to teach him to have more faith and I believe that He was wanting to teach me that and a whole lot more! We are humbled that God chose to heal Bobby because we feel so undeserving, yet we are truly grateful. Admittedly, I even found myself surprised that God healed him and then ashamed of myself for being surprised. When I pray to God, shouldn't I pray believing that it is going to happen? I am a woman of so little faith sometimes.

 On that day God answered two prayer requests that had been brought before Him many times. The first was for healing, and the second….to increase his faith. However, it wasn't just Bobby's faith that was increased, but rather the faith of all everyone around him. Our God truly is an awesome God.

 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7