God’s Appointment
Once again, no one was available to accompany Leah and I to the hospital to ask people, in Dagbani, whether we could pray with them. I believed strongly that God wanted us ministering at the hospital even if all we could speak was English, so we went armed with the one Dagbani phrase, “May we pray with you?”
There have been some terrible wounds on our more recent visits: accidents, burns, open sores (an invitation to flies), and amputations. We made our way from bed to bed, using body motions when our words didn’t make sense, and securing permission at each place to pray. About halfway through, Leah and I noticed a 15-year-old boy was trailing us. He was a family member of one of the people for whom we’d prayed, and it seemed that what we were doing had piqued his interest. He listened carefully to the intercession we made at each bedside.
After praying for a person I asked his name – “Samed” – and then whether he would be willing to serve as our interpreter, so we could explain to people that we were Christians who would like permission to pray for the sick. He eagerly agreed to do so, and when our hour was spent, he trailed us out into the corridor. As soon as we reached a quiet place, I began to question him gently about his faith, quickly realizing that I had to share the gospel with him. Leah, as is her practice, stood aside praying fervently.
To our God’s and our joy, Samed understood what was being shared, then gave his life to Jesus being Savior and Lord! I asked Samed if he needed a Bible, he said yes. So I told him, I would try and get him one soon. Leaving Samed a new person in Christ, we walked outside the building and entered a taxi. Just as we were pulling away, we saw Samed running out the doors: his face lit with a big smile when he made eye contact with us, and he waved excitedly.
The next morning, he called me twice to see when he would get his Bible. It was Friday morning, so I had plans for the day so I could not meet. Unfortunately, I tried to call him repeatedly after that day unable to reach him. Events of my departure overtook me, so I was unable to deliver the Bible promised to him. All is not lost, as Leah will continue to try to reach him. I am trusting God, He wants someone else to meet this need. The one time I did connect, I think his mother answered the phone but she could not speak English and I had no Dagbani speaker near me to take over the conversation. So it may be that God wants Leah to establish a relationship with Samed mothers; time will tell what the will of God is in this matter.
Praise God for Samed’s new spiritual life! Please be praying for his continued growth in the Lord.