Blind Eyes
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly
above all that we ask or think, according to the power
that works in us, to HIM be the glory.
Ephesians 3:20-21
Blind Eyes
Here in Cambodia, it is not difficult to find incredible suffering and needs so great that any solution I could come up with would in no way be sufficient. Because of this, I am learning to pray for and to expect exceedingly abundant solutions beyond what I can imagine. This is becoming my new normal.
We returned to Esther's village yesterday. We took the whole team and a truck full of food. When we arrived, Esther's guardian brought her out to us? You could tell she had been quickly dressed and an attempt was made to wash her up a bit. I noticed that she had a gash on her head and new bruises on her body. The urgency in my heart to see her rescued was great and I sent up silent prayers from the depths of my heart. It took every ounce of self control to see the new evidence of cruelty to this child and maintain my composure. Most of you know me so you can imagine how much of a miracle this was. I truly had to cast this care upon The Lord in faith knowing that. He had a plan for little Esther.
We have learned that the woman responsible for her is her grandmother because both parents have died of aids. The Cambodian team took the her aside to speak with her and the rest of our team set out to do what they do best...just love on people. I brought Esther a pink hair bow and she was so excited to receive that, a comic book that tells the story of Jesus, and a bag of bananas. Not much right? But it gave me joy to see that big beautiful smile on her face. She was most interested in the comic book and so I had one of our interpreters assist in telling her the story of Jesus. Her eyes were literally riveted to the book. Afterward we prayed with her and a few of the other children who had gathered and I know that Esther understood the truth about Jesus and her Heavenly Father. I also noticed that some of the villagers were calling her by her new name which is a wonderful thing because they are learning to value her.
The discussion went well and the first steps have been taken in the process to rescue Her. But wait...more than we could ask or imagine right?
As we got back into our van, we were all rejoicing and sharing what God did during our visit. A few of the men got to pray with the elder of the village, which was awesome, and oh yes, two of the team members prayed for a woman who was almost completely blind and she regained her sight!
My greatest hope and prayer was that we could go safely into the village and have a successful talk with Esther's guardian, but God wanted to do exceedingly abundantly more than that. He wanted Esther to hear the story of His love. He wanted the elder of the village to receive a blessing, and he wanted to open the eyes of the blind.
This is what the kingdom of heaven is like. You pray for what you need God to do and He answers with exceeding abundance. He provides out of the overflowing storehouse of His love.
My expectation of the miraculous is literally being rocked beyond imagination. My understanding of the power of God and the authority He has given to us in Christ has exploded. What a mighty God we serve!
Love from the road,
Julie
