In one regard, this is an impossible testimony to convey in words. It's one of those 'you had to be there' kind of things. But then, that's just it. We can, when we engage other people's lives.
On the 24th of June, we did not know Elle Sosa, her husband Luis, her 17 month old daughter Elizabeth, her sister Carol, or her parents. But with a single phone call, and a trip to the hospice, that quickly changed.
A family who knows us and knows them called me at midday to say that Elle, a 24yr old mother, would probably not make it through the weekend. She had been at the aids/tuberculosis hospice for a week. And she was in grave condition.
Back-story: Elle had contracted aids from her unfaithful husband. Neither of them knew the Lord. She was gravely ill, struggling against both liver and lung failure. And having no priest or pastor in their lives, our friends recommended that her parents allow us to visit her for prayer.
When I received the call, I agreed to come that afternoon as soon as we could. Daisy picked me up and we headed out with her driving and me praying.
I didn't know this girl or her family. I was asking the Lord to help me and to guide me. And then suddenly, just as clear as a bell, the Lord gave me a scripture:
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,
that ye may abound in hope,
through the power of the Holy Ghost
Romans 15:13
At first, I thought the scripture was for me; but then I realized, the Lord wanted me to share it with Elle.
Now if you will pause and think about that, it seems pretty strange, right? I mean, imagine yourself being this desperate mother waiting for someone to come and pray some powerful prayer over your daughter, but instead, they show up and say: The Lord told me to tell you 'be filled with joy & hope - Abound in hope.'
So here I am, walking into this Catholic hospice (where they pretty much just take people to die); and I'm really hoping the Lord has something more for me than 'just this'.
We speak to the doctor who asks us to encourage the parents to 'make arrangements.' (He does not feel that Elle will make it through the weekend) And when we walked into the room, the spirit of death was so present, you could feel it.
Elle had boils in her mouth and throat and could not speak. She looked like some kind of holocaust victim. And everybody in that room was scared to death! (Which included me, having now witnessed the gravity of the situation)
I stumbled around a bit trying to talk to her, but that same scripture just kept coming up in my spirit. When I finally decided to obey the Lord and share it with her, I prayed within myself that I would not offend this already suffering family.
I laid my hand on her arm; told her the Lord had given me a specific scripture to tell her; and then read the scripture.
After that, there was a moment of silence. And then, when we asked if she knew the Lord, and she shook her head 'no.' We shared the Gospel with her and asked if she wanted to 'accept' the Lord Jesus Christ as her Savior.
She couldn't speak. And it now appeared she couldn't even shake her head. But Her eyes were saying 'yes.' So, we prayed with her.
There was about 10 seconds of silence - and then...she threw-up on me! (Unintentionally, of course) And that's pretty much how the night of June 24th ended for us.
We excused ourselves and left; the family not particularly impressed with our having been there. It felt kind of like an intrusion to me; and probably to them. (But in those moments, one just does the best they can do; if you know what I mean?) However, I had a peace in my heart that, come what may, Elle was safe in the Lord. Yet, in all honesty, I didn't expect her to make it through the weekend.
She did make it through the weekend though. As a matter of fact, two days later, she was 'much' better. Five days later on Wednesday, (to the doctor's amazement and our own), she was up on her feet and walking the grounds. And when we visited her a week ago, the atmosphere in her room was the complete opposite of all the hopeless, sadness, and death we had encountered on the 24th.
Elle was filled with the joy of Romans 15:13!
She shared with us that she didn't really remember anything said except two things.
One was the scripture I read. And the other was my wife saying, 'Would you like to 'accept' Jesus Christ as your Lord & Savior?'
She told us that she didn't really hear that word 'accept' like a question or an offer, but instead, like a command. She said it 'echoed' in her; down on the inside of her. And that she had felt ashamed that she had screamed, 'yes.'
When she spoke to her Mom on Sunday however, her Mom said she had done no such thing. She had not been able to speak. But Elle says, that to her, she 'screamed-out' the word yes. And that's all she could remember.
We left the room that day full of joy ourselves at the goodness of the Lord; but there was more to come before our follow-up visit this past Sunday.
First, her daughter and everyone else in her family all tested negative for the HIV virus. And secondly, her husband, who had been an absentee up to now, had an episode of brokenness and had come to ask her forgiveness on Thursday. (And on top of that, he was present Sunday at our visit. And we got to clearly share the Gospel with him)
We are trusting that the Lord has (or will) heal Elle fully as a testimony to His Name. The hospice won't do another HIV test. (We'll have to wait until she leaves in a month and do that ourselves) Regardless the results, Elle will be OK, because she could be in no better hands than those of Jesus.
I especially want to thank the two people who encouraged me and helped me get through my own wrestling match of prayer with this challenge. The first two days following this incident, I thought I would drown in sadness. In my heart, I am sure it was your prayers that came to my rescue as well as that of Elle.
I'd ask each of you to read Romans 15: 13 one more time; and then look at the last two pictures again. Can you see the 'joy' of that scripture in this new Believer? I certainly can.
Please continue to pray for Elle and her family.
In His Joy,
~Michael~
Ps: If you would like to be of any assistance with the financial costs this family has suffered, please contact me directly. Vertical_Life_Bolivia@Yahoo.com
