“I will give her her vineyards and turn the Valley of Achor (trouble) into a door of HOPE.” Hosea 2:15
Many of you know that last May I had knee surgery on my right knee. For several years it has bothered me and when I went into the doctor last spring he told me that I had no cartilage in my knee and that both of them looked like they were about 80 years old, not 30! He told me surgery would help but that stairs would always be a problem and that I probably would never be able to squat. This wasn’t the end of the world, except that at that time I already felt that the Lord was sending me to Cambodia, where most of the toilets are “squatty potties!” Friends prayed over me that I wouldn’t need surgery, but I did. After surgery I did receive some healing after some girls layed hands on it and prayed, but still I couldn’t squat. As the time came closer and closer for me to leave, I kept praying that something would happen, and it just always felt like there was a rock in my knee keeping me from fully being able to bend it. As I arrived here in Thailand and have been doing lots of walking, it got more painful, swollen, and less mobile. I was actually beginning to get anxious about how I was going to live in Cambodia for 6 months and ever go to the bathroom! I realize it may sound silly, but I was actually getting worried. But I kept believing for a miracle and for healing.
I am in Chiang Mai, Thailand for about 10 days of rest (after my traveling partner left) before heading to Cambodia. On the first full day I was spending time with the Lord in prayer and worship, he was revealing some significant things to me, and all of the sudden I felt something very strange happening in my right knee! It seriously felt like something was growing. I kept laying in my bed and finished listening to the sermon I was listening too, and then got up, half-way afraid to actually believe it, especially since I hadn’t even been thinking about or praying about my knee. But when I tried to squat down….I COULD!!!! I hadn’t been able to move like that for over two years! In an instant the Lord had taken my “valley of trouble and turned into a door of hope!” I literally danced around my room for several minutes and when a new friend that I have met (another incredible answer to prayers for connections and encouragement in these 10 days) came into my room I squatted to the ground and started crying! Glory, Glory, GLORY to you Lord! I keep walking around squatting, bending my knee back, and today even walked several miles and it is still good.
The Lord has told me that not only is he still the God of miracles, but that he wants us to continue to believe him for this, not only here in Thailand, or for people in Africa, but for each of us, wherever we are. He longs to pour out himself in ways far greater than we can ask or imagine if we continue to allow him to draw us to himself in deeper and deeper intimacy and continually, earnestly ask him to reveal what keeps us from truly believing and receiving. Let me tell you, there is nothing like it!! I pray that each of you reading this may be drawn deeper into intimacy and wholeness with the Father of love and life and healing. All praise and glory to him who sits on the throne!
