Hari ini, Hari ini...

On Saturday we had the chance to reconnect with a family whom had met the previous Saturday. They live in another trash sorting slum that we are new to. To find our way to the house we waded through piles plastic bottles piles and rickshaws of decomposing wood and scraps. Waiting for us was a family at the end of their rope.

The man has been sick for three months with TB. However, the pussing boils that covered his body all the way to his nearly gangrenous hands and toes made us think otherwise. The man was so weak and tired that he could hardly speak. The wincing in defiancy to the pain he had breathing was the only noise we heard out of him as the wife began to explain the situation.

Earlier in the day they had visited a witch doctor and previous to that they had spent 6 million rupiah (60 US$) on a doctor's visit. He had continued taking medication, but nothing was helping. They could not afford to return to the doctor and were getting by one day at a time. We had no advice to offer them, but they were happy to have us pray.

We spent our afternoon there, praying, singing, battling. Soon, we had an open door, we asked the man if he believed in Jesus. With his breathfilled words, he sighed "yes". Bit by bit, he recited a prayer that he believed in Jesus and it would be Jesus who healed him. We continued to pray and some felt lead to have him stand up. With a group helping him, he was able to stand up briefly.

The hours passed much quicker than anyone realized and we left in a hurry. On the way out, the man's wife was deeply moved and she herself accepted Jesus as her healer.

This family remained in our heads throughout the week.

On Saturday we rushed to see them as soon as the taxi halted. We stood in awe as reached the front door of the home and the gentleman was sitting up eating a mango. It was him, but maybe in a new body? His face looked rested and at ease, his body showed traces of healed boils, his feet had the normal colour and circulation that they should have. What could we say but "God is good!" His wife smiled endearingly as she shared that he has an appetite and eats everything that she cooks and wants more. He is able to get up to use the toilet and shower. She was happy to tell of the progress throughout the week and especially her neighbors' responses to it all.

The man said, "I just want to go to church so I can sing Hallelujah!" So we had church together, sharing stories from the Bible, testimonies and singing together. We told them that next week they can invite their friends and we can have a church all together.

I guess I am just stunned at God earnestly seeking people. He loves when we finally choose his love that has always been there, there is freedom to choose otherwise and when would do choose to embrace the love, God dances over us with excitement. I experienced a piece of fellowshiping with God's joy on Saturday.