On Saturday we travelled South across the border into Sligo. This is one of several visits we have already made. The response there has been amazing.
We often take folk with us with little or no missional experience. For one of the guys on our team it was his first trip out with us. When he saw people being healed in front of him he said, “I can’t believe my eyes,” “I can’t believe what I’m seeing.”
I really understand where he’s coming from. I also have a good idea where he’s going to. Its part of the journey of faith we all have to make in the west.
Even after seeing Jesus do the most amazing things it’s pretty obvious his disciples still struggled in the area of faith, just as we do (Mark 4:40). But contrast their lack of faith to a little time later as the disciples continued to walk with Jesus. “Master, do you want us to call a bolt of lightning down out of the sky and incinerate them?” (Luke 9:54 The Message). Not only had they learned to trust the one who can control the elements, it eventually dawned on them they could also (Matthew 17:20). Faith just needs room to grow.
Here’s one story from Saturdays trip to Sligo. Maureen came and took a seat. She had been suffering with sciatica for the last six months and was in constant pain down one side of her back and leg. When we checked her leg length, the leg which was in pain was significantly shorter.
We asked Maureen if she had come with any friends or family. Maureen called her family who were standing a distance away, and about five came over to watch. One of her family was on her mobile phone, and when she finished the call we asked if her phone had a camera on it. We asked her to take a photo of Maureen’s shorter leg, which she did from a birds eye view. We wanted them all to witness Jesus healing Maureen. After asking Jesus to show them his love, Maureen’s leg grew to the same length.
We asked the family member to take another photograph which she did, then we asked Maureen to stand up. Maureen had a look of shock, awe, and amazement on her face as she told her family she was healed.
