$200s in the mail

I recently received a cheque, in the mail, for $200's. The cheque was from a wonderful lady who I had the honour of meeting in the loos at Bethel.

It was an October evening and I had arrived early for church, I was cold as I hadn't brought a coat and was admiring this ladies beautiful full length mac. We had a good chat about England and the ever changeable weather, how English ladies usually carry a 'brollie' at all times and it was most unlike me to be caught out in the cold! She asked me if I'd like to try her coat on and took it off.

It was clearly an expensive brand with a patterned detachable lining and there was no way that a) I could afford such a coat or b) actually needed one as I already had a thick winter coat.  Anyway I tried it on knowing she would enjoy it and we both agreed that a medium would be a good fit. 

Then she got out a pen and paper, I thought to write down the on-line address, instead she asked for my details saying that she would "really like to buy me one" and it would be a blessing for her to do so.

I was a bit puzzled at this point - not used to such generosity in such odd surroundings, but more so because I didn't need a coat so why was God going to bless me with one? - I wrote down my name and address and told her that she was under no obligation and even though she had my details she didn't need to go ahead.  We hugged and parted.

Honestly I thought, that was nice but I didn't expect anything to come of it. At the end of November she called and apologised for the delay saying that the company wouldn't have the mac in my size and colour until December and would I be happy to wait.  She offered to send me the money instead and I told her that it was completely her decision, I thoroughly appreciated her generosity and whatever she decided would be wonderful. December came and nothing turned up, then when I got back from my trip home there was the cheque for $200s waiting for me!

I've learnt so much through this amazing act of generosity:

1. God doesn't just provide for our NEEDS

2. God can provide in ways we don't expect - I know He can provide abundantly more than I ask or imagine, but seriously - a lady in the Bethel loos giving me $200s that is potentially for a coat!

3. His timing is perfect - the cheque arrived just before I needed to pay for the next instalment of my mission trip.

Thank you Jesus!

Healing testimony

Over the Christmas holiday I've had some time to read through my journal and I found a testimony about healing that I had forgotten. 

It happened around the middle of October, not long after the initial leg growing incident (see October blog) consequently I had been praying for more opportunities to step out in healing. I was helping out at a Bethel conference, my job was to serve in the dinner queue. 

After the mad rush, 2 ladies approached the table and we got talking.  The 1st lady asked if I was a student - immediately I felt prompted that this was a healing opportunity. She had very swollen lower legs and was in pain.  I asked if she would like me to pray for her and talked about recently seeing legs grow out.  I commanded swelling to go but there was no immediate difference. 

She beckoned her friend over who was walking with a pronounced limp.  She asked to be prayed for and when I held her legs together you could see about 1cm difference, her spine was curved and she was in pain when she walked.  I commanded her leg to grow - I was pretty nervous as I had 2 other Bethel students and some of the staff from the Bethel kitchen watching.  The leg grew!!!  She stood up and walked around, you could definitely see a difference in her walk and her friend kept telling her so. 

By now the faith level had increased significantly, so I offered to pray for the 1st lady again, the other Bethel students got involved and we prayed for the swelling to go down - it did!, previously one leg had been bigger than the other and now they were the same size, though both still swollen.  She mentioned that she had pain in her ear - we commanded the pain to go and on a scale from 1 - 10 (10 being bad) it went from an 8 to a 4, we thanked God and commanded complete healing, this time the pain totally went!  By now the conference was starting up again - I encouraged them to keep thanking God for their healing and that He could finish the job while they were in the conference.

One of the things that I want to go for in 2011 is healing, it was so encouraging to remember this awesome opportunity that God gave me to partner with Him in bringing Heaven to earth. I'm definitely going to be looking for more opportunities to step out in healing.