Some of our suffering is of the Lord’s, for his purposes. I witnessed that this past week as I traveled over 2 hours to a regional hospital in Alwatia. There one of our members from Asuom had lain, without relief, for over a week. She is a faithful woman that has supported her husband as a branch president and been a pillar of strength for the small Asuom Branch. I had met this woman once before and felt of her spirit. My visit was planned and the District president, branch President and her husband made the trip with me to be there at the appointed day and hour. This sister had been poisoned by a local witch doctor and his herbal remedies for her ailment. A lower back pain was her symptom and now she was in the hospital fighting for her life, unable to stand or walk and with severe stomach pains. The drive was pleasant but there was some caution in her husband’s voice at time when we spoke of her condition.
We arrived to a barred compound with armed guards. I depended upon the brethren and their expertise to guide me through the customary steps to enter. We were asked our business, the length of our stay and the appointed time documents to support our appearance at the gate. All conversation was done in Twi so most of their speaking I did not understand. We were guided to a parking stall within the compound. Again another guard ask for our documents and then escorted us to another higher ranking guard to verify our stated business. I followed between both the district president and the branch president as to not get lost or singled out. We were told to wait in a small waiting area in one of the wings of this hospital. I asked the husband what was all of the communication going on with all of the guards and particularly the head guard who seemed to be pondering the conversation and looking at me directly. I was told that the only way we could enter the compound and visit this woman was due to me being a white man from America who was an Elder in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. All were told I was sent here to visit with this woman and heal her so she could return home. Each guard had been told the same story as they inspected the paperwork. I felt weak as I pondered my assignment as outlined by my traveling companions. Thoughts of worthiness, exactness to the usage of the priesthood, and what was now expected of an Elder in the Church filled my heart and mind. It was the longest 3 or 4 minutes of my life. I was praying to Father with all of my soul for this woman and to fulfill Fathers will. The guard returned and with a number of medical staff, and we were escorted to a portion of that wing where this sweet sister lay. Her countenance was dim and her eyes were bloodshot. A heavy fever was detected as I lightly caressed her hand in mine. Her body seemed weak and each breath was a labor. My eyes filled up with tears as her eyes looked into mine and with a whisper from her parched lips said, “the priesthood is here”. It was a moment I shall never forget.
At that very moment, a whispering from the Spirit told me, “give my vile of consecrated oil to the District President.” As I did, the president looked at me with a bewildered look and leaned forward and whispered in my ear,” Elder, you do understand your mission here? We have told all of the guards and the medial staff you would heal this woman from her ailments. They are gathered around to witness your healing.” I put my arm around him and replied, “ There are 4 brethren here with more power and authority to heal this faithful woman than all of the doctors in this hospital combined, it only takes 2 of you to authorize the healing from the greatest healer of all, the Savior himself. And President, remember this sister has more faith than all of these non-believers who are watching.” I then turned to her caring husband and whispered in his ear, “you will be sealing the anointing and pronounce a blessing of healing upon your loving companion, by the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood.” I gently squeezed them both and took a step back into the crowd.
There were 20 or so sick women in that room who heard that a white man from America would heal this woman today so they were all attentive to our presence where she lay. Guards and medical nurses surrounded her corner all with wondering of how this could happen under their watchful eyes. “By the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood, I anoint your head…..” Then three humble Ghanaian servants of the Lord, placed their hands on this most faith-filled daughter of Father and sealed the anointing and pronounced a most powerful blessing. I stood silently with the crowd and at one point opened my eyes, fully expecting to see angels administering to that humble women’s ward in a regional hospital in Ghana. Tears flowed down the cheeks of guards, the medical staff, and other sick and afflicted in that room. I gave humble thanks for the scene that had transpired under the direct of the Holy Spirit. Hearts were softened, minds put at ease, and spirits lifted to greater heights than previously dreamed. Just before we were to depart for our journey home, I leaned down and hugged this fine woman and gazed into her now crystal clear eyes. She sat up in bed and praised the Lord for her heavenly blessing and then, oh, so reverently pulled me close, and kissed my cheek. “Sweet sister, I said, thank you for your faith and the blessing you have brought into our lives.”
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