Arvin* and Cristina* live intentionally as Jesus followers in the Caucasus, reaching out to whomever God brings across their path.
One day, the couple was waiting for Baadur*, the man who mends all the broken fixtures in their home. When he finally arrived, he told them that his wife was in the hospital with a stroke. “I just felt in my spirit that I must offer to pray for her,” said Cristina.
She asked Baadur permission to visit her in the hospital so that they could pray. Baadur was not comfortable with that, so Arvin and Cristina began praying for her from home. They then rang to ask how she was doing. “She is doing better and better!” was the response they received.
Some weeks later, the couple’s landlady contacted them. She had heard of their prayers for Baadur’s wife, who was now recovering. “Will you come and pray for my daughter-in-law, Elene*? She has goitre.” Arvin and Cristina prayed to God to give them a word of wisdom for Elene before they went to the house. They heard the word ‘trauma‘. Nothing more.
Upon meeting Elene, Cristina read her the Bible story of the woman who had internal bleeding. She explained: “There is nothing in us that is [powerful], just the presence of Jesus who changes and hears people, through His touch.” Then she asked Elene if there was anything besides healing that she wanted to ask God for, and Elene said, “Peace.”
Reminded again of the word ‘trauma’, Cristina said to Elene: “I don’t know if this makes sense, but this morning we were praying [for you], and the Lord said, ‘trauma‘”. Immediately, Elene’s face lit up: “I know what He’s saying. He’s talking about my childhood.” Although neither Arvin nor Cristina understood the connection, they trusted that God knew what was going on.
Cristina explained: “God knows, and He wants to let you know that He sees you, that He knows you, and He wants to heal that trauma. I’m [now] going to pray for you in Spanish, to make it easier [to let the words flow].” Cristina began praying, but in tongues, not Spanish, as she placed her hands on Elene.
Afterwards, Elene shared: “A few days ago, before anyone knew you pray for people, I had a dream. Somebody put her hands over me and prayed in a weird language. And as you started to pray in that language, I knew it was you. This is amazing! Orthodox [believers] don’t pray for each other; they pray in front of an image, lighting candles and bringing [people to] mind.”
The landlady asked Elene to repeat her excited words. As she did, Elene felt immense fire burning strongly within her body. Arvin and Cristina felt it, too. “It’s burning me!” she exclaimed. “This is so special. Awesome.” Hardly able to contain herself, Elene ran for a drink: “I need water!”
Cristina finished by reading Bible verses about Jesus coming so that those who receive and welcome Him become His children (John 1:12). Elene said she understood and knew this Truth for herself before they left.
Although Arvin and Cristina have not been able to visit Elene since, they have stayed in contact with her and know she is healing safely in God’s family.
*name changed
