Thursday, September 14, 2006

“My soul needed healing more than my leg!”

My name is Amada and for me it is a great blessing to be able to share what God has done in my life. A Jesus Film team projected their movie in a street near my home every weekend for many months. I never left the house because I feared evangelicals. I had listened to many things that others had said about them. The only thing important to them is money and they want to change your religion.

Each time the team gathered, they sang songs, played with the children, and everyone seemed happy. I asked myself, “What is it that they have that makes them so happy? Is what my friends say about them true?” They appeared sincere to me.

One day a group from other countries arrived to offer medical assistance. This impressed me because in our neighborhood nobody comes to offer help, not even the government. This group brought medicines and they didn’t even charge us. Neither did they put pressure on us to go to their evangelistic meetings. I thought, “If they wanted to change my religion they would have said, ‘Madam, if you want to have the medicines you have to go to the meetings.’” On another day they brought clothing. Even though I had a need, I didn’t want to ask for clothing. It would bring me shame.

One weekend when the Jesus Film team was setting up their equipment, I was wondering whether or not I should go. One woman greeted me with love and enthusiasm and invited me. When I didn’t move, she drew near and took my hand. Then she realized I didn’t walk normally because I had a problem with my leg. She said, “If you believe in Jesus, He will heal you!”

These words resounded deep within my heart because I had desired to be healed for a long time. I went with her, taking advantage of the fact that my husband was at work. If he had been home, I would not have been able to go. That night Jesus spoke directly to my heart, showing me that my heart and soul needed healing much more than my leg. I accepted Christ as my Savior and felt peace and joy like I had never felt before. Now I want to shout and tell all of my friends to let Jesus into your life. He is not a religion. He doesn’t need our money, but we need Him!

The brothers have purchased a piece of land with an old house and a group of us meet every Sunday. I will not leave Jesus for anything because I understand that this is a relationship, not religion. Everything in my life has changed. I had problems with my leg, but God healed me. I didn’t have a job, but now I have one. I was a bitter person but Jesus has given me joy and peace. Amen.

A Man Accepts Bread but Receives the Bread of Life

Recently a Jesus Film team hiked with film equipment to a high location because they didn’t have transportation. Suddenly one of the team members said, “I see something in the brush; it appears to be a person.” They found a man who was sunburned and appeared to be a beggar; yet, his clothes were too nice for a beggar, only dirty.

When asked who he was, the man replied, “I’m not from here. I am going to another community because I beat my wife and her relatives are looking for me to kill me. I haven’t eaten in days since I fled from my home.” When asked why he hit a woman, the man answered, “I was intoxicated and didn’t realize what I was doing. I want to die.”

The team invited the man, Javier, to come with them. They gave him water and bread which he devoured very quickly. After walking about 500 meters he inquired, “What are you going to do with these boxes?” Wanting to encourage him they replied, “We are carrying a very special man inside these boxes.” Very much surprised Javier retorted, “Who is this man and what is his name?” “Jesus,” they answered. “Jesus,” he repeated.

“Yes, and He is able to help you,” a team member continued. “Do you know Him?” Javier shared that he had a photo of Jesus that he adored in his house, but it never helped him to overcome his vices.

“Have you received Jesus as your Savior? He is the only One that can change your life.”

“What do I have to do?” Javier asked.

“You just need to respond with a simple prayer. Would you like to do that?”

“Yes, I want to.” With tears in his eyes, Javier prayed in his own words, asking forgiveness for everything he had done and accepted Jesus as Savior.

We arrived at our location and Javier helped us set up the equipment and invited people to watch the film. He was with us for two days and afterwards returned to his own house, a man totally transformed. Javier testified, “God has changed me and I’m not the same. I will go back to my home in the name of Jesus and seek forgiveness from my family and the community for all the bad things that I’ve done. Soon I will share with them the Good News. Thank you, my brothers, for everything.”

Eight days later team members went to see Javier. He was with his wife and his small son. They appeared happy and everything was well. Javier and his family now attend a small group in the church. Glory be to God.

“Jesus has given the Jesus Film to heal and to save”

Daniel, a 27-year-old man, was sick with chronic gastritis for many years. Doctors treated him with medicine, but his condition only worsened. Yet God had a plan. Daniel was invited to view the Jesus Film showing in a plaza near his house. Joyfully, Daniel went with faith and hope. He believed that something was going to happen in his life and body.

As the images of the movie passed in front of Daniel, he watched with great attention to everything that Jesus did. He thought to himself, “I believe that Jesus has given us this movie to heal me and to save me.” When the pastor gave the invitation to accept Jesus, Daniel quickly went forward. The team leader prayed for healing and salvation. Daniel humbled himself before God and said, “Lord, save me and heal me.” He felt a current throughout his body and sensed that his sickness had disappeared.

He returned to his house and said to his wife, “God has heard me and healed me! I don’t have the disease.” His wife didn’t believe what he was saying and the next day brought him to the doctor. The doctor examined him and surprisingly confirmed that the sickness was gone. Glory to God! Today, Daniel has given himself completely to God and the church. He helps the pastor with many things. After eight days, his wife also accepted Christ as her Savior. Jesus continues to heal with his power and grace.