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In the last 25 years, we have had many memories that are seared in our hearts. Amazing miracles of healing, salvation, and even a few that can only be considered resurrections. We have seen churches planted, built, and multiplied. We have seen girls rescued, educated, and given hope. We have witnessed miracles of timely provision, at times thousands of dollars appearing from the least expected places. Yet this past month we were allowed to participate in the most memorable act of God to date.
We were working in the small jungle village of Utunkus Sur located just outside of Sucúa with our Jungle Missionary Team and a volunteer team from Maryland. We were doing community outreach and lending a hand to one of our most faithful pastors who happens to be a widow with six children. At the end of the week, there was a group of new believers who wanted to make their faith proclamation public. Dozens of witnesses joined us at the river and 27 formed a line excitedly anticipating their baptism. All of them with a story, all of them with faith and all of them living witnesses to the promise found in Titus 3:5, “He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.” Yet it was the last young man that is the center of this story. A young man we have known since his birth, a young man whom we have watched struggle with the reality of Cerebral Palsy. His name is Alexander and he has never taken a step, stood up, or set up straight as a result of his sickness, yet thanks be to God, we are not saved “because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.” Over the last few months, he had made his confession of faith and now he too wanted to make his public proclamation through baptism.
As we gathered together, one by one, the new believers passed by us, dozens of them. We knew he would need to be lifted from his permanent spot in the tattered wheelchair. His nose and mouth held while carefully navigating the strong river current that was a challenge to simply stand in, yet this determined young man would have it no other way. As we held him and carried him to the spot we had chosen in cold and clear jungle water, the entire village held its breath. Yet as we collectively emerged from that water what happened next cannot be recounted, you have to see it to appreciate it. The cold water and pulling current were forgotten, and the sigh of relief was replaced by shouts of joy, as Alexander almost jumped for joy right out of our arms! We believe when you look at this picture you cannot help but see the “Glory of God” because, in all our lives, we have never seen someone more “fully alive”.
We are so grateful to each and every one of you. It is through your prayer and support that we are able to reach the hard places and see people like Alexander find full life in Jesus.
May God have all the Glory!
-Joil and Leah
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