In the hot blistering sun, there he sat.
Jehosphat.
Same place I left him two years ago on the streets of Nakuru, Kenya. I recognized him immediately with his large swollen legs. His physical condition appeared the same, but I could tell something was different.
I first met Jehosphat in 2015 when me and my friend Rachel were in Nakuru for three weeks partnering with some local churches. It was then that he told me about his disease, Elephantiasis. It is a severely disfiguring and disabling condition that makes limbs swell so enormously that they resemble an elephant’s foreleg in size, texture, and color. It is an incurable disease caused by a parasitic infection by specific kinds of round worms.
He smiled as I settled down beside him to catch up. He said, “You’re the one who prayed for me.” I nodded my head astonished that he even remembered me. I asked how he had been and he just laughed as he told me he hasn’t had any pain since we prayed for him two years ago.
NO PAIN?!?! What?!?!
We rejoiced and gave all glory to the Father. The swelling is still there, but the open wounds are gone and he can walk without even noticing his condition. A miracle. I had no idea. At that moment I was so glad I stopped. When I first saw him still sitting there I was a little disheartened to see that his physical condition was still the same, but if I had not stopped I would have never known that my prayers were actually answered. It just didn’t look the way I THOUGHT it was going to. How typical.
How often are you disappointed with God because you think He didn’t answer your prayer? What if the answer just didn’t look like you thought it should? What if it just didn’t happen when you wanted it to, but it’s still being answered? We have such little patience and understanding when it comes to true faith. I’m so grateful for a Father who knows better than me and moves in spite of my limited perspective.
I chatted with Jehosphat for a while and he updated me on his family. We read the Bible together and encouraged each other in the Lord. As a previous minister, he knows the Word, but rarely finds people willing to stop and talk with him due to his disfigured appearance.
Before I left I asked if I could pray for him again. I thought, if he received healing before, why not ask for more? He welcomed it so I laid hands on his feet and asked for healing in the name of Jesus. I asked for no more swelling and a complete recovery. Full of faith, I was ready for another miracle. I was anticipating the swelling to go down right under my finger tips. People started gathering around. They were all watching. I was thinking, “Now Lord! Come on! They will all be amazed! They will KNOW it was You!”
Nothing.
I concluded my prayer and blessed my friend reminded that it doesn’t have to look like I want it to for God to be moving. When I looked up there was a lady staring at me. She reached out to shake my hand and said she was amazed that I took the time to stop and pray on the street where everyone could see. She was so blessed and encouraged by it and said more people should be willing to pray for one another.
I thought I was praying for healing, but perhaps the miracle was the encouragement that took root in others’ hearts as they passed by and saw what was happening. You never know who is watching. You never know who needs encouragement. You never know who God will use you to bless. Just have faith and be obedient. We can’t always make sense of what He moves us to say and do, but rest assured, He has a reason and purpose for everything. He uses it ALL.
God does not work on our time table, nor will He be managed, controlled, or manipulated. He knows ALL things. He sees ALL things. He keeps His eye on the big picture and every minor detail matters. If I’m listening and obeying, I get to be a part of it and YOU do to!
WHAT AN ADVENTURE!!!
***Disclaimer: I received Jehosphat’s permission to share his picture and story on my blog before posting.***
