Tara* was the last patient before lunch break. That morning, in this coastal fishing village, more than 200 patients had received health care, counseling, and prayer in our medical clinic. Dr. Sam*, a physician and close friend who has been leading these clinics for more than a decade, patiently listened as Tara complained of severe back pain and a few other ailments. Dr. Sam attended to her needs and then asked if he could pray for any other concerns.
Tara stayed silent, but a few elderly women sitting nearby told me more of her story.
For 17 years, Tara had been oppressed by an evil spirit. Each event left her fearful and ashamed. She tried to fight the possession through incantations and Qur’anic mantras, which seemed to work only temporarily.
These women were deeply concerned for Tara. I took the opportunity to share a new story. Sitting a few yards from the beach, I began to tell the women and Tara about Jesus falling asleep in a boat. When the boat entered a storm, Jesus looked into the gale and with one word brought immediate calm. This same Jesus later got out of the boat and looked into the eyes of a man horribly possessed by a large number of spirits. Again, with a word from Jesus, these spirits were evicted from the man and thrown into a herd of pigs. (At this, the women laughed with appreciation.)
I told them that, while their incantations may temporarily appease, only Jesus has true, lasting power over spirits. I then turned to Tara and told her that we would be in their village all day and if she wanted us to share more about Jesus and to pray with her, she should bring her husband with her.
Lunch ended and the doctors and clinic staff were inundated by the largest crowd we have ever served in one day. By the power and mercy of God, we cared for over 700 beautiful people, many having suffered for years with severe and painful conditions.
As the tropical sun was setting, taking with it the heat of the afternoon, the final patients began to trickle out. As the crowds diminished, Tara brought her husband Tom* to Dr. Sam to have his back pain checked.
I shared with Tom the story I had told Tara earlier. I looked him in the eye and asked if we could pray for him and Tara in the name of Jesus. With intense relief, the couple leaned in close for prayer.
I turned to Betty*, our 70-year-old team member who loves Jesus more than retirement, and asked her to pray for them. Betty held their hands and tears filled everyone’s eyes as she brought the beauty and power of Jesus upon Tara through prayer.
After prayer, we shared that true healing comes through surrender and becoming a follower of Jesus and we would love to tell them more about it. But it was getting late and Tara had four children begging for attention, so the prayer time ended.
A few weeks passed and my wife returned to this village for follow-up and training with mothers on healthy family habits. And there were Tara and Tom! They had been standing for hours at the edge of the highway, waiting and hoping for us to pass by. They joyfully asked when we could both return and talk with them.
Their story beautifully illustrates why we employ a holistic approach to ministry in Southeast Asia, meeting people’s physical needs as a step toward building the deep, trusting relationships that allow us to share the gospel.
*Not their real names
