Nine long years, she had prayed…

We receive many testimonies from our teams. This one is from Darla; she is more like family now after the trips she has joined us on. Here is her testimony sharing her heart on what God did this past March on what was just supposed to be a medical outreach. 😉

 

“With permission, Marce (aka Barbie Chef) is allowing me to share some of her story.  She has been one of our translators over the years in Costa Rica; you get to know your translators as well as their stories and even their families.  Marce’s family had been estranged; for nine long years, she had prayed for her family knowing the only hope was Christ. Marce had been a spiritual farmer, preparing the field with her tears, prays, and promises from God; the field was white and ready for harvest… and the Lord would allow me to be a part of the harvest.  

Marce’s sister had a baby while we were in Costa Rica, a beautiful, healthy baby girl.  The new momma was having trouble breathing, so tests were run. The shock came when the medical doctors stated they had found spots on both of her lungs; the situation was very serious and life-threatening.  Marce received a phone call from her family for the first time in nine years!        

Dear Jesus:

My last trip to Costa Rica trip was unique because we were used in so many tangible ways; you know, like building furniture for a women’s shelter, performing skits for children’s ministry, sponsoring a hip-hop dance contest at a local church (my favorite!), face painting for the neighborhood kids, and serving in a health clinic for those in need.  However, Costa Rica 2019 was beyond, beyond, beyond anything I could ever have imagined.

Pastor Paul had asked me to stop what I was doing at the health clinic.  What? You want me to collect my stuff because you have a new assignment for me. What? “Darla, the Lord has put it on my heart for you to go to the hospital and pray over Marce’s sister.”  Pastor Paul knew I was ready; however, I was an emotional mess, wondering how I could pray over someone with possible cancer when I had just lost my husband to that ugly disease. Honestly, Lord, I did it for Marce.

Arriving at the hospital, I could believe it when I saw all those hundreds of people standing outside; they were all waiting to get into the hospital to see their loved ones.  There was no way we were going to get in, any time soon; it was going to be a very long wait. Lord, you knew the harvest was white! A heart, a life, a soul was ready! It was going to take a miracle from YOU to get us into that hospital room!  

When we went into the lobby, the main security guard was not happy when we approached her; telling us (in her outside voice) to get back outside.  Lord, she was angry and it showed. At that very moment, I knew you wanted me to pray very specific, “place us under your wings, cover us with Your hand, remove every single obstacle that was in our way, no, Your way!”  Marce had a fire lit under her! She had a boldness that came straight from her heart to YOURS! And vice versa! We needed a miracle! And my goodness gracious, we got one! Then another, then another! Excuse me while I still tear up! 

Within minutes, Marce had us in another area of the hospital where a very kind employee (angel maybe!!??!) let us in and showed us to the elevators.  However, the elevator stopped working as soon as we stepped into it. Satan was furious! This was a spiritual war for sure! No worries we will walk up the stairs, um the stairs that lead us back to the main lobby! The main security guard saw us, started to shout, and come after us!  How many times did I prayed the same thing? “Lord, place us under Your wings, cover us, and protect us! Lead us! Guide us! Get us to the harvest!” Be sure and tell me when I get to heaven, please.

By this time, I was praying out loud! I was terrified! And I just remember saying to our group, “Do not stop keep going, faster! Do not stop!”  As the security guard was about to reach us, her anger shifted towards a young man. Whatever that young man did or did not do, the screaming got louder, but not at us! We were on our floor! MIRACLE!

 A mother was sitting upstairs in the hallway, eyes red and swollen from the tears.  She could not believe that we had come to pray for her daughter!!! All those years had been forgotten because the need was so great with her daughter’s health!  I just kept hugging her, holding her, and telling her I loved her even though I had never met her in my life! Lord, you always say that to us! She needed to hear those words from You! 

When we entered the room, the new baby was nursing!  After we said our hellos, I knew in my heart you wanted me to tell her that is was nothing in me (us), nothing in our flesh; however, it was YOUR power that lived in us.  YOUR power that raised Jesus from the dead; YOUR power that obeyed when you spoke “let there be light” because all those atoms/cells came together in obedience due to YOUR power!   I loved the way she accepted that it was YOUR power that was going to be released onto her and to do major things in and for her. Tears fell and she was ready!  

I had to ask her, “If you stand before the Lord, and He asks, ‘why should I let you into heaven?’ What will you say?”  She did not know what to say! And that is ok, the only answer is YOU! Gently she repeated the tender words of giving her heart and her life to you.  She was ready to have your forgiveness; she was ready for hope, and she accepted you as Lord and Savior. It was so beautiful.

Then all of us placed our hands on her; we prayed for her breathing, her rest, and that her peace would be restored.  She told her Marce the next morning, she had not slept like that in a very long time, Wow! Lord, you granted her great sleep.  Next, she told Marce that while we were praying over her she could breathe; she was able to take deep breaths. Tears still flow at your tenderness for your daughter.  Lord, I had some oil; however, instead of anointing her hands, I anointed her feet. Odd? Yes. Obedience? Yes. Then we prayed for her healing.

 There were 5 other ladies in the room due to their pregnancies being high risk.  The need was huge, Lord, you are greater! We prayed for three other ladies, two declined.  Later, we were told that many nurses, patients, and even doctors stopped by our door. I would have prayed all night.  We returned to the hallway of a mother still in tears, who literally sat there for at least two hours while we prayed in her daughter’s room.  She had no idea as to what happened in that room; however, You knew! 

When we returned to the car, it was a mother who needed You! Needed Your strengthen!  She released it all to You! Her broken heart could barely utter any words! She was weak, and YOU were strong! She was reminded that if she would trust in You, You would fight her battle. She placed her trust in YOU! Laid it at YOUR feet! She gave her heart back to you! You accepted a mother’s heart.

The next morning, when the husband came up to the hospital, we learned he had given his heart and life to You, Lord at the very same hour as his wife.  We had no idea that as we prayed in the hospital, he prayed at home alone! The husband was telling You, Lord, “I need you, I need you to be a part of my life, forgive me.”  Two gave their lives to You, and one rededicated her life to you in the same hour because Marce had prayed for nine years!

As the husband and wife continued to talk, Marce’s sister asked her husband, “Did they pray for you? Did they pray for you?”  The husband answered, “No one had prayed for me, I was home alone.” His wife said, “You smell like the oil that they used to anoint me!!”  “No one has anointed me.” “You smell like the oil!” Lord, later I asked Katherine what the name of the oil was we used in the hospital? Her reply brought tears to my eyes then, and still does today, “It is called peace.” 

Lord, there are no words! Many tears fall, I am wrecked! For all the miracles I witnessed and was a part of, thank you for using me.”