I Was Sick, But Now I am Well!

Isaac noticed the young lady as we were leaving the area. We had worked all day going from house to house, conducting bible studies with any who showed interest. It was hot, we were tired and we just wanted to get back to our rooms.

But Isaac noticed her! It was obvious that she was very ill with fever. He called to Jacob and together they stopped to visit with her. She had been sick for days, but there was just no money for her to visit a doctor or get any medicine. Without hesitation, Isaac and Jacob reached in their pockets and pulled out some funds and handed it to the young lady telling her to go to a doctor. They feared it was malaria and so many die each year needlessly for lack of treatment to this common disease. They said a prayer with her and her family and went on their way.

The next day as we again passed by her small house, Isaac and Jacob stopped by to inquire about her. She had gone to the local clinic and it was not malaria, but rather typhoid. She was taking the treatments for this, but was still so very weak, having been sick for days with fever. They said a prayer for her and her family once again. As they were starting on their way, the old mother said to the young lady, “You need to go and see that church!” Even a mother can appreciate what strangers can help to do when you have no means to do anything yourself for those that you love.

Day’s had passed and we had forgotten all about the young lady who had been deathly ill. It was Sunday morning and the church meeting hall was filling. There on the front row was a young lady in a pretty white dress. No one recognized her as being anyone that we had studied the bible with that previous week as we went house to house. But we were still thankful to have her visiting at the church with us on that day.

She listened to the message that Sunday morning about the love of Christ and what He has done for every one of us. As we sang a song of invitation at the close of the message, the young lady in the white dress stood along with two others desiring to giver her life to Christ and make Jesus her Lord and Savior.

We still had no idea who she was, or why she had come to church on this day to visit us. Even as we took her name; “Elafaba Walker”, we had no idea of the details that lead her to come and be with us and to hear this saving message of grace. As we talked to each of the three and made preparation for taking them to the ocean for their baptisms into Jesus, she spoke out.
“I am the One,” she blurted out. “I was the one who was sick, and you helped me to get well,” she stated.

That day, as we watched “Elafaba Walker” give her life to Christ in baptism there at the seaside, I could not help but think how amazing our God and Father really is. Just a small gesture of kindness on the part of Isaac and Jacob in trying to help a person so in need of medical attention. Just a passing comment from a caring Mother for that kindness who said; “You need to go and see that church.” Just a simple gospel message that Sunday morning about the love of God and the need for a Savior.

God the Father would turn that small gesture of kindness into the greatest gift of all, salvation in Jesus Christ, the forgiveness of our sins. “Elafaba Walker” was sick, but now she is well. She was dead in her sins, but now she is alive in Jesus Christ.

You never know what a small gesture of kindness can lead to!

But “Elafaba Walker” knows!

“To the extent that you did it for one of the least of these, you did unto Me!” “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for Me.” Matthew 25:31 - 46