In February of 2007, God did an amazing thing. On a Sunday night in a small missions church, He healed a woman of incurable AIDs. Her name is Olga Taboada.
Olga accepted Christ that night as her Savior, but then, a test began. Jesus had indeed been her Savior & Healer. But, being a widow with five children to care for...and no job; could Jesus really be her Lord & Husband ?
Nearly two years later, the resounding answer to that question is an undeniable, Yes. For me personally; what the Lord has done SINCE Olga's healing, has far exceeded that one miraculous, yet momentary event. But, "Why would you say that?" you might ask. Well... Please allow me to give you just a glimpse of what I mean.
Before her healing and eight months pregnant with her son Jose Miguel; testing in January showed that the baby had contracted aids. Medical "options" were suggested by the doctors; but God had other ideas.
Following her salvation on that Sunday night and before the return of her blood tests; Olga dedicated Jose Miguel to God at her baptism. A few days later, she received the lab confirmations (Three of them) that she was healed. And a month later; Miki was born perfectly healthy. (We had the privilege of celebrating his 1st birthday with him just this past March.)
Olga gives her testimony wherever invited and has continued with us in weekly discipleship training. It has been such a wondrous experience for me, because it has not been a weekly Bible class. Instead, it has become a family gathering in the truest sense of the word, where we have fallen in love with them and they with us; and God has continued to smile upon us all in layer-upon-layer of surprising ways.
Surprise Upon Surprise
To date; Olga's testimony ended up reaching 6 countries. In California, a sister wrote and asked:"What does she do for a living; how does she support her children?"When we replied that she worked as a seamstress whenever and wherever she could; the lady suggested that Olga buy her own equipment and work out of her home while caring for her new child. That sister's love exceeded her words; because she sent sufficient funds to purchase that equipment. AWith that equipment and more than enough material, Olga was able to start her own self-supportive micro-buisness operation.
Another couple from Community of Christ World Missions donated a second, specialized sewing machine. Two more individuals from the US & England sent double that sum for the family's general and immediate needs. All together; the monetary support that flowed out of the Body of Christ equaled more than Olga's late husband had earned in an entire year! And even more amazingly; almost all of this support came within 45 days of Olga inviting Jesus into her heart.
How I love to see God operate through His Church like this!
And then...there is the House
Olga's house really wasn't a house, but a 9' x 18' foot, super- crowded single room filled-up with the beds; the refrigerator, the oven, boxes, and the general "stuff" of SIX people - A varitable "step-over, squeeze-around" jungle I'm tellin' you!
Well...there was this small area out back that I took more notice of one day, saying: "Why don't we put a tin roof on this and close it in with screen walls." I was thinking it could serve as sort of a camp-kitchen area that we might at least move the refrigerator, stove, & table out into to create more space inside... Again however, God had ideas and intents which were bigger than anything we had imaged. Eph 3:19-20
The Project hasn't been as easy as we'd thought, but we have enjoyed it. Olga's brother-in-law Raul has contributed much time and labor to the construction at no cost. Without him, it would have been nearly twice the cost.
On a one week visit to Santa Cruz (while awaiting land title documents in Trinidad to clear); Pastor Ruben built the foundation and raised the walls for the new bathroom. I tried to help, but as nicely as he could; he dismissed me. And from there on out, my part pretty much consisted of carrying bricks; carting sand; and doing a lot of digging. *smile*
This construction project has doubled the previous living space in Olga's house and built them a new bathroom. The expansion is presently 3/4 complete, and as we receive the necessary ministry funds, we will finish it; with full water and power connections. (Something Olga has never known before) Needless to say; Olga and her children are very happy. And this has all been made possible by the grace of God touching the hearts of other men, who in their generousity, 'loved others beyond words alone.'
We are very thankful for the inspirational example of Ministries like CCCWM of Indiana and Luke 4:18 Fellowship in Alabama. They are ministries of involved global & community actions; demonstrating to us how a real, two-handed Gospel really works. Such influences have helped us capture a Ministry vision that not only feeds people's spirits with the Word of God, but also reaches out in very real and tangible ways to embrace their lives in relationship.
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I post these stories that they might encourage others, because God is no respector of persons. What He does for one; He can and will do for all - When we believe. The real measure of His love is not so much in the big things. Instead, it is found in the abundant wealth of all the daily small things that He does...layer-upon-amazing-layer.
I ask that if you can, please donate to the completion of this Project. It is a wonderful opportunity to sow into the Kingdom of God. It is absolutely Biblical. (James 1:22 & 27) And 100% of all free-will donations made will go to pay-off the lot upon which Olga's house is built; thereby freeing her to use her gainful income to better support her family and make further investment into her buisness.
