Heaven

Amazonian Wednesdays 🌴

March 2018
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“Prepare yourself for your encounter with God,” Carmen said tenderly to the dying woman.

Graciela, stricken by cancer, groaned softly, “Oh, Pastora!” 

Pastor Carmen is my mother-in-law. She shared this story with me the other night. “Things might have turned out differently…” she expressed heartfully. “If only the family had not taken her to the witch doctor. It grieved me to see her full of tumors, suffering so terribly!” 

Nearly a year ago, Carmen received a call from the capital city of Lima. The voice on the other end was desperate. Graciela had sobbed in anguish, “Pastor, I’m dying, I’m dying! The pain, the burning… it’s unbearable!” Carmen went into immediate action. She had those physically present with the agonizing woman anoint her with oil. She took authority and began to release healing to her body in the name of Jesus. 

Now, if you are not familiar with my mother-in-law, she is one of the mightiest women in spirit that I know (as well as one of the most humble). She has an amazing track record of seeing people healed of cancer when she prays. For that matter, she has raised the dead more than once. She does not see cancer as a difficult enemy to vanquish. She was full of faith and power as she was praying that day. 

When she finished, Graciela’s discomfort had subsided substantially. She fell asleep. Over the following months, there were concrete signs of healing in her body. Sadly, though, most of her relatives are yet unbelieving. They pressured her into pursuing healing through witchcraft. This is the default spiritual practice of our region among those who do not know the Lord. 

In a moment of weakness and discouragement, Graciela succumbed to their wishes. They took her to a brujo (witch doctor), paying him to invoke demons over her. In their blindness, they believed this was her only hope for a cure.  Tragically, soon after that, all the healing progress in her body was quickly reversed. Cancer took over completely. 

This brings us up to the bittersweet end of our story. Pastor Carmen looked at Graciela, now in our city of Iquitos. The Holy Spirit told her that it was time for Graciela to go home. “You are about to finish out your time on earth,” Carmen gently explained to her. “It’s time to get ready.” With the little strength left in her vocal cords, Graciela whimpered in fear. 

“I have come to help you be reconciled with Jesus,” Carmen continued. Her voice was full of confidence and reassurance. She led Graciela in a prayer of repentance. This precious sister received forgiveness for turning to demons for her healing. The Holy Spirit also empowered her to forgive all those that had Continue reading Preparing Graciela for Eternity