Monday, May 2

We have chronicled how the Lord rescued Carmen Jesilus from the clutches of death in the mountain village of Maingrette. [See “Moments” below.] But God did not save Carmen alone. He has used this rescue of a woman with a large, hideous tumor growing out of her mouth to give life to many others.

Fifteen people have joined the church at Thoman as new believers in Christ Jesus.

“The new face of Carmen,” said our Haitian missionary, Miguel Rubén Guante, referring to the removal of the tumor on March 7, “(has brought) five families of Thoman to Jesus.”

The 15 new believers attended worship at the church at Thoman on Sunday (photo above). Miguel preached to a gathering of about 80 brothers and sisters, using Matthew 11:28 as the main verse of his teaching. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

The message was “a call to the unbelievers” to obey God and rest in His promises, Miguel said.

He pointed to the man with the shriveled hand (Matthew 12:9-13), the bleeding woman (Matthew 9:20), and the raising of the dead son of the widow at Zarephath (1 Kings 17:17-24). These are examples of people who sought God’s healing hand.

God healed Carmen and has offered life to many others. For this we give Him praise. We are humbled that He chose to use us in this rescue operation, which is to His glory.

“… let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” — Matthew 5:16 (NIV)