Today I am remembering a verified miracle during one of our free medical missions, led by Dr. Lorna Schumann. On this occasion fourteen of us rode in a van from Bangkok to Three Pagoda Pass, in Thailand.
Soon we were traveling along the famous River Kwai (Khwea), as well as the infamous Burma railway. The latter was built by the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II at the cost of tens of thousands of American, British, Australian, and Dutch POWs and civilians.
This dark backdrop was the stage the Holy Spirit would use to provide care for more 600 people in our triages, and hundreds more in refugee camps, Baan Mai village, and the River Kwai Hospital, deep in the jungle near Three Pagoda Pass.
The area is home to a mix of Thai, Burmese, and other ethnic hill tribe groups.
The first supernatural event happened when we were given permission by the head Buddhist monk to set up operations in the Wat Protona Temple grounds—a stunning miracle, by any account. Each day we passed through tall bamboo gates to be greeted by a large Buddha and the tiered towers of golden-spired pagodas.
Psalm 24 came to mind as our band of Jesus-followers passed through those towering gates: “Open up, ancient gates! Open up, ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter.”
Inside the temple grounds, many people waited for us. Most had walked, some for miles, many very ill and barely able to carry themselves.
Fourteen team members cared and prayed for hundreds of people over the course of the week. It was hard work and long days. We set up a pharmacy, exam station, vision clinic, and dental care, all ultimately leading to a medical provider.
And we prayed over and anointed each patient.
On the last day of triage, at the end of another long day, three of us left the temple area and walked down the hill to the bamboo gates, where we anointed them with oil.
When we returned to the triage area, it was abundantly clear that the Holy Spirit had energized the team. They began excitedly telling us what had just happened while we were at the gates praying.
The last person to come through triage was a young man who was born unable to speak—mute from birth. His elderly parents were with him, and as usual the team had questioned them about their need, wrote out details for the doctor, and laid hands on the young man and prayed for him.
He instantly began to speak. In fact, he began chatting away so much that his parents nearly fell out of their chairs. Everyone was very excited and animated.
We also had many monks around watching us each day, usually 6-15 in number, and they quickly came over to see what the commotion was about. When they learned what had just happened, the eight monks asked the team to pray for them and with them—to know Jesus.
The ancient gates had opened, and the King of Glory had entered the Buddhist pagoda with power.
This creative, Jesus-glorifying miracle established a seedbed for the Gospel among the monks in this remote region. I am prompted to share it with you because we are entering days when it is essential to remember we serve the Most High God, who specializes in things thought impossible.
The word “remember” appears in the Old and New Testaments approximately 250 times. In both Hebrew and Greek, it has the idea to call to mind, and even rehearse something until it is engrained in your thoughts.
You and I must take care not to lose the Word of God or forget the goodness of God in those rocky, thorny, hard seasons of our lives. (See Matthew 13)
He is still the God of miracles, and he still opens gates.
Rev. Micah Smith is president and founder of Global Gateway Network globalgatewaynetwork.org with offices in Richland. Questions and comments should be directed to editor Lucy Luginbill in care of the Tri-City Herald newsroom, 4253 W. 24th Ave., Kennewick, WA 99338. Or email lluginbill@tricityherald.com.
