Three months ago, Tatay R was in a bad accident. He slipped and fell while carrying 80 kilos (175 lbs) of cement. He was 78 years old. He had many health problems as a result, and he was nearly deaf as well.
When our team first arrived at Tatay’s house, we didn’t know how to minister to him! We had to share the gospel with his wife, Nanay, and trust that she would scream our words into his ear so that he could hear. They were both very receptive!
They gave us food and invited us back to their house for Bible study a handful of times. One day, we told them the story of Jesus’ baptism and invited them to be baptized as well. Tatay was ecstatic! He told us to come back tomorrow afternoon so that he could be obedient to his Savior’s command.
The next morning, we got a phone call from Tatay’s daughter. She said that his injury was flaring up again and he did not feel well enough to do the baptism. Satan was attacking him. We left straight for his house where he was breathing heavily and stumbling around his kitchen with his neck wrapped in medicinal herbs. We asked him, “Tatay, if you felt better, would you still want to be baptized?” He said yes, and we prayed over him and laid hands on him. Instantaneously, his pain began to be soothed. He took the wraps from his neck and began jumping up and down and kicking! He was so full of energy! Not only that, but he could suddenly hear too!
We walked from Tatay’s house about a mile to the seashore, we had to walk quickly to keep up with him! We baptized Tatay at the beach, prayed for his protection, and sang praises to God!