Stories from our field
Literally awakened by God
Michael* grew up in Pakistan in a Christian family. He gave his life to Jesus and was baptized in 2006. “My life was rippling along peacefully,” Michael says. “I was enjoying my studies. Until one evil day I twisted my ankle during a game of cricket…”
This happened in 2012. What seemed like a harmless sprain turned out to be the beginning of much misery. Inflammation affected his ankle joint. All of the doctors who saw him were of the opinion that he needed a new joint.
“For almost three years I was bedridden,” Michael recounts. “I lost everything: my friends, my church, studies and even my self-esteem. I slipped into a deep depression. Because of all the strong medication, I also developed jaundice and pneumonia.” Almost nothing was left of him. “At one point I only weighed 26 kilos. I slowly languished and thought I had come to the end of my life.”
Then something extraordinary happened. “One night around three o’clock I felt someone waking me up. But there was no one in the room. The next night it happened again, and the nights after that, as well.”
Michael told his uncle, who advised him to respond like little Samuel: “Speak, LORD, for Your servant is listening.”
Michael: “So I did. After the third night, a pastor from another city came to visit unexpectedly. He prayed for me and declared that God had healed me and had a special calling for my life. He gave me Jeremiah 1:5 to consider: ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.’ I was completely blown away. Did this really apply to me?”
From that day forward, recovery set in. Each day, Michael continued to strengthen. “In the spring of 2015, I participated in a missionary training of our church,” he says. “It was the first time after three years that I attended a public meeting.” Walking was still difficult, but Michael completed the first module.
By the end of 2015, Michael was able to walk properly again – still with the joint that doctors had unanimously written off. His doctor called it a miracle. Michael: “2015 became the year of my healing and a new purpose. The next year I led the same missionary training and trained more than 100 local missionaries.” In the following years, Michael studied theology and leadership.
“God used this tragic incident with my ankle to radically change the direction of my training and ministry. He has given me a ministry among unreached peoples in Pakistan. In addition, I get to equip others and contribute to Bible translation projects.” Michael knows his strength does not come from himself. “I stand here as someone who has been restored by grace, and chosen for a purpose.”
- Thank God for saving Michael’s life!
- Pray for wisdom and love for Michael as he leads the team
*not his real name
Photo via Unsplash