Update: we are starting the campaign OPERATION: MERCY to bring Mercy here for medical treatment. Please join us praying for Mercy and that the process of getting her passport and medical visa will be expedited. I will update here on My Crazy Adoption as we move forward. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown Mercy. (Matthew 5:70
I want today’s post to testify God’s mercy in Ethiopia. I want every word to honor and respect and give all glory to the great Healer. The first thing that seared through my heart was a mother’s pain. What great lengths would I go through to seek help for my daughters? I love Hannah and Zoie with all my heart and I would give my life for them. I looked into the eyes of this desperate mother asking me to come to her home and pray for her sick daughter. I saw faith, fear, and hope in her eyes. I quickly grabbed a few girls on my team and told them to come with me to pray for this mother’s daughter. She held my hand and told me her daughter, Mercy was very sick and needed healing. Mercy was waiting for a miracle.
We entered the tiny house, only room for a bed. Mercy was on her side and completely still. I had no idea why she was sick or if she was even conscience. I put my hand on her back and there was not a single movement. She was dead still. I felt fear prickling on my skin, but God immediately filled the space with His mighty power. We laid hands on sweet Mercy and prayed for her healing. I don’t remember any of the words we prayed, but I can only describe the moment as supernatural. I could feel His presence. I could feel His power. God was pouring His love through us straight into Mercy.
God stirred our hearts to sing. My precious friend, Katie had our song “Healer” from the previous day at Fistula Hospital and we played the song over Mercy. I will never forget our five voices filling up the tiny space with words of Healing. There is truly no words to express what happened that day in Korah. In obedience, we followed a mother to her home with great faith, but in return witnessed an act of Mercy.
We walked back to the Korah Shelter and joined the team with preparing lunch. I had no idea if Mercy was going to make it today- her circumstances seemed so dire. Now, thinking back I have no idea why we didn’t scoop Mercy up in our arms and drive her to the clinic. We prayed for her, but was that enough? Thank you God for loving me and working through me despite my lack of faith.
I love reading the passages in the Bible about God healing the sick. In Matthew 8: 5-13 and Luke 17: 11-19, both stories celebrate healing and great faith. Jesus healed the 10 lepers and today we were feeding lunch to 10 men with leprosy. Ministering in Korah literally feels like stepping back in the Bible… it brings all your senses alive. You see, hear, taste, feel, and touch His miracles in every direction.
I will never forget hearing my name yelled across the shelter, “Kari, it’s Mercy!” I ran out and standing in front of me was Mercy and her mother. Mercy looked radiant. Her hair was wrapped in the bright blue silk scarf I had left for her. I ran around and told the team to come and worship- celebrate with us a true miracle. I witnessed a healing in Korah.
We circled Mercy and her mother and prayed a special blessing over this precious 15 year old girl. We prayed a future for her. Mercy’s mother shared her remarkable story with our team and we testify that God healed her body on February 25th, 2011. Mercy had been sick in bed for over five months, unable to go to school or sing at church. We hugged, cried, and celebrated her day of victory. God quietly spoke to my heart and I gave her the ring I had brought to give to Zoie’s birthmother, if we found her. Instead, I gave it to Mercy as her healing marker… something special she will always have to remember that God healed her body. The next two days, Mercy came to the shelter dressed in her school uniform and made sure we knew she was feeling strong. I will never forget God’s merciful, miraculous day in Korah. Sweet Mercy, you have changed my life. Thank you for trusting us to come in your home and pray for you. Thank you for holding my hand when we bought you your special celebration outfit at the market. You looked so beautiful in your new clothes and shoes. You are my hero and I love you.
God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. (Ephesians 3:20)
Please leave Mercy a special blessing prayer today in the comments.
I Saw What I Saw
{Dedicated to my friend Mercy}
I saw what I saw and I can’t forget it
I heard what I heard and I can’t go back
I know what I know and I can’t deny it
Something on the road
Cut me to the soul
Your pain has changed me
Your dream inspires
Your face a memory
Your hope a fire
Your courage asks me what I’m afraid of
And what I know of love.
(Sara Groves)
