Powerful Reunions

Nanay A., a paralyzed woman with a deep and profound faith, sits in her bamboo hut on the side of the mountain with God’s hope in her heart and on her lips, but with no one to share it with (see previous blog post “An Eternal Weight of Glory” for more on her story). She’s been bedridden for about 9 months and has not been visited by her friends during that time. However, one of the women in this barangay, Ate V., asked if she could join us to visit her one afternoon. 

What a wonderful privilege it was to witness the tender reunion of old friends. Many tears were shed between the two as they sat together and shared stories over the last several months. One of the most powerful forces that God gifts to his children is unity: as Ephesians 3:17-19 states, “And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge— that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” 

God’s holy people have the chance to know and experience his love in greater depths and in fullness through fellowship and unity. Of course the enemy would go to great lengths to prevent this kind of unity from occurring. Our prayer is that the barriers of separation— whether emotional or physical— would be broken down so that God’s holy people may come together once again. 

The Farmer's Association meeting

In this reunion, many Bible stories and testimonies were shared. The visit was pure and joyous, filled with tears of gratitude and proclamation that at the end of the day, despite physical circumstances, God remains good and faithful. It was a holy moment in which God’s spirit was poured out powerfully and evidently.

What began as a routine visit to new friend, became an opportunity for many more gospel seeds to be sown. 

 Trying on reading glasses

On our walk back, Ate V. invited us all to a Farmer’s Association meeting (where about 30 people were present) to come and share the gospel. To her, many more needed to hear the radical hope found in this message. What began as a routine visit to new friend, became an opportunity for many more gospel seeds to be sown. 

There is much power in God’s living Word and in testifying to God’s goodness together with his holy people. 

Pray that God would unite the believers here in unity and that the people would continue to encourage each other in their faith after we leave.

-Madison

Rural Healthcare Team

Philippines