Les and Suzanne Yoder have been attending Petra since 2000. They live in Gap and have two adult sons, Shane and Jordan. Suzanne enjoys…
Vanishing Tumor!!! (3/11)
Mike is in our region. I just talked to him at lunch time today. Mike “HAD” cancer. He had a tumor on his head that he was battling for a few years. It went into remission for a short time about a year ago only to come back a few months later. This past year he was receiving a “new” treatment that was reducing the size of the tumor. This treatment worked until his body eventually became immune to it. He was down and dejected and had an appointment to start chemo again. When he went in for the treatments, the doctors did 5 tests on the tumor and all five of the tests could not find the tumor. The doctors say this is a miracle. Praise God! Mike is free of cancer!
-Neil & Lisa Martin, Region E Care Ministers
Open Wombs and Miracle Babies (2/11)
In March of 2010 there was a prophetic word given regarding God’s desire to open wombs and we grabbed hold of this promise. On the way home from churchmy husband Paul shared that he had specifically claimed this word for his brother and wife. They had been married nine years and had experienced several miscarriages earlier in their marriage. Later that afternoon, our son who was home on spring break from college, told us he had claimed this promise for Paul’s sister and her husband as well. She too was experiencing difficulties conceiving. In May we received news that a baby was on the way. More exciting news came in July, another baby was to arrive. The due dates were eight days apart! As we began to do the math we were excited to discover that within weeks of this prophetic word, God had opened TWO wombs and our prayers had been answered. David Andrew was born on January 8, 2011 and forty-eight hours later on January 10th Jonathan Robert arrived. David and Jonathan, best friends for life.
As son went to visit his cousin in the hospital he was overcome with tears as he remembered crying out to God and now he held the answer in his hands.We as an extended family will always look upon these two miracle cousins and remember God’s goodness and faithfulness.
-Paul and Linda Hertzler
Answered Prayer! (1/11)
At the Trasition To Community (TTC) house here in New Holland, one of our clients had his laptop computer stolen from the house. This was devastating as he was still making payments on it, and is responsible to the rental company whether theft happened or not. Our house gathered together and petitioned the Lord on behalf of Luis, and we prayed for and blessed the person who stole it. A day and a half after the prayer time, three younger teens from the area returned Luis’s computer to the house. They said they had found it stashed in the snow behind the barber shop! Needless to say this was a miracle wonder, as this never happens!
Praise God!
-Ryan Forbes
Breakthrough! ...Vanishing Back Pain (10/10)
The last week of July and the first week of August I was in pain. Severe pain. From the lower part of the left side of my back, in my groin and down my leg into my foot. I was in such pain I slept only for 45minutes and would wake up. I was taking 1500 mg of Tylenol Extra Strength every 4 hours. I went to the doctor and he took an x-ray and told me to take 3 days off of work. He also began the process of setting up an MRI and prescribed Tramadol. I had one pill at bed time and one the next morning and could not function. On Saturday God spoke to me and said on Sunday I needed to go forward for prayer. I asked if someone would speak directly to my pain and He said “yes”. When a word came that indicated that someone had a knee problem. I said, “Lord that is not me”. Then the word got more specific...."there someone with pain in their lower back, down their leg and in their foot”. I knew this was me and my husband said “That’s you! Go front”. When I got to the front I was asked, “do you also have pain in your groin?” ...I said I did. We prayed and it felt somewhat better, but not completely. We prayed again and it felt a little bit better. I Prayed “God, what can I do? Lord, you are the only one who can heal me”....and He did! My healing was made complete through the week. All of the pain completely left. Now when I feel a twinge I pray “Father heal me” and the pain leaves. My Great Physician has provided over and over. He is my doctor. Persevere. Pain often gets worse just before the breakthrough.
-Sharon Smeltz
Peanut Allergy...Gone! (9/10)
We praise God for healing our son, Daniel, from a nut/peanut allergy. When he was a baby, about 9 months old, he accidentally got a small amount of peanut butter off of my fingers and in his mouth. I noticed he started to get red spots around his mouth and his upper lip started to swell. We rushed him into the ER, and they monitored him and gave him benydryl. We understood that this was an allergic reaction, and he could have this for the rest of his life. We kept peanut products away from him until he was 2. The doctors had told us he could grow out of it. Last Christmas, just after he turned two, we tried a small peanut butter test on his arm, hoping he could enjoy more of the Christmas cookies that had peanut butter in them. But after 15 minutes, he had a rash on his arm. So we thought, maybe next year it’ll be better.
When we were at church on September 5th, there was a word that God was wanting to heal someone with nut allergies. Immediately, my husband, Andriy took Daniel up front and they prayed for him. It wasn’t until later that week, that we tried another skin test. After 30 minutes of peanut butter on his arm, there was NO rash. So we went to the next step. Our daughter had been eating peanut butter bread, and she had a small piece left. We gave it to him, and he ate it. NOTHING happened to him!!! Two days later, Andriy made him a full piece of peanut butter bread with A LOT of peanut butter on it. He ate most of it and again, there was NOTHING!!! Just a few small spots around his mouth. We fully believe that God healed our son, Daniel, of his peanut allergy!!!! Praise God!!!!
-Greta Poplavskyy
“Vanishing" Meniscus Damage (9/10)
On June 24th, 2010, I injured my left knee while running...We prayed. My doctor took x-rays and found nothing was broken so he sent me for an MRI. It showed a Complex Non-Displaced Tear of the Posterior Horn of my Meniscus and a Root Ligament Tear of my medial meniscus...We prayed. I then went to see an Orthopaedic Surgeon. He recommended surgery, as my meniscus would most likely have to be removed, but agreed to allow me to try physical therapy before resorting to surgery...We prayed. I ended up having surgery on August 10th, 2010. People were praying for me from Petra and from various countries around the world. The surgeon did some repair on my patella and the head of my femur but to his surprise the meniscus damage had “vanished”. There was no Complex Tear at the Posterior Horn and no radial tear in my meniscus. My acute injury had been healed. Then he told me that my meniscus looked like that of an 18 year old’s.....WOW! and I have pictures to proove it!!
-Joyce Schneider
Elbow Pain No More… (9/10)
I was having severe pain in my right elbow. Pain to the point that I was compensating by using my left arm to assist in tasks. My wife said I should get it checked medically. Stubborn me said, I didn’t want to spend the money for a doctor’s visit. It got to the point where I could no longer lift and pour a gallon jug of milk. As a last resort (when it should have been my first) I went up front for prayer on a Sunday morning. After praying there wasn’t anything different. We returned home and as we turned into our driveway I said to my wife, “I feel something different.” I immediately hopped out of the car and hustled in to the kitchen to give it the old “milk jug pour” test. The pain was gone, BUT a couple days later the pain returned. On Sunday I saw the person who prayed for me and explained the process of events. After prayer the second time, like the first time, there was no immediate change. But soon afterwards the pain went away and has not returned even in the slightest. This was not instantaneous healing but, over the course of approx. 2 weeks...it went from debilitating pain to full use of the arm. I’ve never had any issues again!
-Jay Martin
No More Pain (8/10)
There was a young girl who spoke up about the pulling in the right shoulder...THAT WAS ME. I did go up for prayer and the pulling ceased. I feel fine and have given my testimony to many.
-Betty Kinsella
A Complete Miracle! (8/10)
On July 23th I was at a lake on vacation, upon waking on Sunday morning I felt very disoriented and dizzy not knowing why. As the day went on I couldn’t drive home…my wife had to. We arrived home and I went to bed expecting to wake up feeling better…but that didn’t happen. After the second week passed with conditions getting worse, I started seeing things that weren’t there and indescribable dreams that were so real that I would find myself waking up in other parts of the house. I thought I should see the doctor…so I go to the doctor and tell him my symptoms, after my exam the doc was a little baffled but did tell me I had a severe case of vertigo, but couldn’t explain the dreams or hallucinations. At this point I told my wife “God is trying to tell me something.” Two more weeks pass and I can hardly drive. I was blacking out, walking out of the house without my shoes…on not even knowing what day it was. So I went back to the doctor and after spending just a few minutes with me he knew that something was seriously wrong and started working up blood labs and cat scans STAT. Within just a few hours he had results in hand, everything was all clear from the cat scan and all blood work except for one thing, my liver counts were too high and were rising although nothing was there. The doctor said there was something in the blood that isn’t being picked up by the tests. He scheduled me to see a specialist the next day. The specialist also frustrated, sent me back to my doctor for more blood work immediately. By this time the original doctor is even more baffled….my mind, speech and motor skills were that of a 5 year old and my memory was at a loss.
Saturday, August 28th the doctor calls and says of the test that came back, most are clear except the liver counts have climbed even higher. His best guess was that something was in the blood attacking my liver and he suggested that the next step was to be admitted to the hospital. On Sunday morning my wife said, “Get up, were going to church this morning.” Now through the night I digressed even lower and was like that of a 2 year old. When we got to church I discovered that the message for that day was on healing but my mind couldn’t comprehend it. As I sat thru the service I heard only one thing and that was not everyone is healed and that sometimes we also have to pray for release, I knew at that moment I was ready to go home. At the end of the service my wife dragged me up to the front and we met with a prayer minister. My wife had to speak on my behalf because I couldn’t put my own words together. I received prayer and was ready to go home. I ran into another person who prayed for me as I was leaving. As the day went on I became almost completely impaired and thought that when go to sleep tonight I won’t be coming back…I’m going home. as the day when on the pain and burning heat in my liver was making me sick to the point that I didn’t eat, couldn’t walk and had no ability to even ask God to help me. My mind was broken! Late that night my wife was on the phone with my doctor not knowing what to do except for wait till morning. As I lay in bed my wife gave me the booklet that Pastor Lester wrote but I couldn’t read it. I apparently fell asleep to my wife laying hands on my liver praying. What happened next was a very vivid detailed lesson about who God really is and his love for me!!
I was awakened out of a dream by a loud bell…kicking and flailing my arms to get up, I found myself standing at the side of my bed repeatedly saying “God made the heavens and the earth and he healed my liver.” I woke my wife with my mouth running about 90 mph. I told her God healed me… I’ll explain later, I have to get to work, lots of things to be thankful for today. OH YEAH! I’m OK… WOW!!! You should have seen the look on people’s faces when I came marching into work that morning after seeing me going down-hill over the last month. When people asked me questions I replied, God is in control.” When the doctor called that morning he couldn’t understand what had happened to me. I asked him if he believed God could heal. His response was nothing but silence and then a sigh, and a reply of “Alvin, I want to hear all about it…I know that I’m the doctor, but God is the healer.
-Alvin Nolt
Normal Blood Sugar Without Medicine! (8/10)
Oh yeah! God is big enough. My story is similar to my sister Tee’s. About a week after receiving pray I got so sick from my meds. I called my Doctor with my symptoms and they told me to stop taking them. I did and I feel great. My sugar levels are the same as they were on my meds! I don’t get headaches or daze out anymore which is amazing!!! I can’t wait to tell my docotor my testimony! If he’s a Christian he will bless me and if he’s not he will probably think I’m a wacko but that’s ok. It’s my healing story and I’m sticking to it!!!
-Maria Boyd
Neck healing (8/10)
After receiving prayer on Sunday, “I was healed from a pain in my neck.”
-Eric Jensen
Plantar Faciitis Healed (8/10)
Karen came forward for prayer for her right foot...she has plantar fasciitis and it has been gradually getting worse to the point that she has trouble standing and walking. She said it was really bad this past weekend and decided to come for prayer. We prayed for awhile and the pain lessened. She later was walking near the back of the sanctuary and felt a sharp pain go up and through her heel. She came back front to let us know, so we prayed again believing that there was something positive going on. Eventually there was little to no pain when she left. -Kara Graver
Here is her response 3 days later....
I wanted to share the good news on my foot! I haven’t had any pain these 3 days! I went to the beach yesterday and walked barefoot, which i haven’t been able to do for months, and today for the first time this summer I could push mow, to do my trimming on the lawn! God is so good!!
-Karen Johns
The Lord is my healer! (7/10)
Let me share my experience. Several weeks ago I went for a routine screening mammogram. I was a bit stunned as they viewed the films and pulled me aside to discuss an abnormal finding. They continued to walk me through the processes of needing to have a biopsy, requiring an appointment with a surgeon, and returning to the hospital for a procedure. Initially I felt a bit of panic at all this could mean. Within a few days, I truly felt a gift of faith stirring within me and began to pray in that way...asking the Lord to remove this abnormality...that there would be nothing there to biopsy as I returned for the follow up procedure! My follow up visits were delayed by a few weeks due to family commitments, but as I visited the surgeon’s office to discuss the findings, I expressed to him my faith. I told him that I was asking the Lord to remove this abnormality and that I didn’t want to make his job difficult, but that I was praying and trusting that this finding would be gone and there would be nothing to biopsy. As the day of the biopsy appointment approached, I asked several others to stand in faith with me. I honestly went to the appointment that day completely surrounded by God’s peace...not knowing what the outcome would be...truly trusting that whatever the outcome was...My God was in control! After being positioned on the exam table, I laid there and prayed. Several attempts were made to find this area by X-ray, but the technicians were not able to locate it...and my heart leaped with expectancy. I again stated to them my prayer of faith. The radiologist and the surgeon were called in and they continued to pursue this site. I again stated my prayer of faith to the doctors, as they continued. After another 30 minutes the radiologist came to my side and stated that they couldn’t find this area and that they were going to let me go home...I would not need this biopsy. I “shouted” my praise inside my heart, but aloud clearly exclaimed “Thank you Jesus...Praise the Lord!”, as I continued to thank them for their time. As the five of them were leaving the room the one doctor looked at me and said “Would you pray for me tomorrow...I need to win a million dollars?” Whether he was being sarcastic or not, I didn’t receive it that way, but knew that the Lord prompted my response, as it came so spontaneously. I said “the Lord doesn’t always answer our prayers when they are for our own purposes, but he does so for his glory”. I felt like I was “walking on air”, as I left the hospital . . . not surprised, but again amazed at the Lord’s goodness and mercy to me! I pray that as I continue to share this experience with you and others, that it will cause faith, even a special gift of faith, to arise in your hearts and that you too, would receive what you are in need of and the Lord would ultimately be glorified.
Humbly grateful,
Kathy Martin
A Haircut and a Healing (6/10)
I went to get my haircut at my barber’s on Friday, June 26. She is a spirit-filled Christian, and often what I share with her is exactly what she needs from God that very day. She had been dealing with guilt, shame, and condemnation, as well as fear and anxiety concerning her son. When she asked me what the word for the day was, I said rest. I shared how God had been leading me to read about a Christian’s rest in Hebrews 3-4. She said that is exactly what God had been speaking to her. I told her how to deal with the 5 spiritual areas she had been dealing with, and led her in forgiveness, prayer for healing (spirit, soul, and body), and deliverance from guilt, shame, condemnation, fear, and anxiety. When we got done, she put down her head and was crying. She said, “My foot doesn’t hurt anymore!” It had been hurting her since Memorial Day. While we prayed for other issues from which she got relief (she said a burden was lifted off her), God also gave her physical healing. I said, “See how much God loves you? He healed your body, too.” During the time I first entered the barbershop, no one was there. She always has 2 or 3 people waiting, and many times walkins just show up. No one came until I was going out the door. God orchestrated the whole thing to bring freedom and healing to my barber. Praise the name of the Lord!
-Mike Ingold
I’m All Better Mom! (6/10)
We prayed for my daughter Ruby’s ear several weeks ago at our small group. A few days later on Friday evening she began complaining that it hurt again and she began to run a fever. I was so discouraged. We decided to take her to church on Sunday morning even though she was not feeling well so we could take her up front for prayer. We went forward and Ruby prayed for Ruby (how cool is that?). She prayed a short, simple prayer for healing and for the tubes in Ruby’s ear to open so the fluid could drain properly. We got home and Ruby said, “I’m all better mom.” I was a little skeptical but at the same time she did seem more herself. Over the next couple of weeks I would ask everyday “How is your ear Ruby?” She’d say “MOM, I TOLD YOU IT’S BETTER!!” On June 1st we had her check up. The doctor said it was the moment of truth. If there was any sign of fluid he would highly recommend tubes. If there was not any sign of fluid he felt confident that she would no longer have any problems with her ears. After taking a look he said, with a little shock, that there was no sign of any fluid! Praise God!!!! I knew before walking into the office what the doctor was going to tell me but seeing God’s goodness and faithfulness will never cease to amaze me.
-Sarah Byler
No More Pain (4/10)
I injured my left knee working on the farm during the week of March 1st. I really didn’t think a lot about it at the time. Working on a farm and around machinery, etc, a person gets “banged up” sometimes and our bodys usually heal themselves. This time the injury didn’t go away but instead got steadily worse. By the 3rd week in March, my knee (particularly the inside of it) was really hurting. I began taking tylenol wearing heat wraps around my knee to help me make it thru the work day. I also decided to go see a knee specialist. The doctor took xrays and an MRI and told me I would need surgery to repair the knee as I had damaged cartilage. This was not good news as my planting season was just around the corner. I decided that I must do it and scheduled it for a week later. That gave me one week to get all my equipment ready for planting, unload fertilizer and seed in the barn, try to get fields ready for planting, etc. I really didn’t see how I was going to get it all done, particularly with my left knee feeling like it did. I was actually having difficulty pushing in the clutch on the tractor. That Sunday (April 4th) there was a word that someone either had an accident or was having pain in their left knee and particularly on the inside of the knee. I went up front and was prayed for and anointed with oil. I went home without any pain. I went out to the chicken house Sunday afternoon to do my regular chores and when I came back in 2 hours later, I realized that I had forgotten to wear a heat wrap on my knee but that my knee had no pain. I went thru the entire week leading up to my surgery without pain. On Tuesday evening I decided that I was going to go for a 2 mile hike to see if I could make it hurt. After the hike, it still was pain free. On Thursday, I spent several hours helping my son dig a ditch. I always use my left leg on the shovel as I dig. Again, I couldn’t make it hurt. I worked long days all week and, by Saturday night, got done all I had to do. I felt absolutely no pain anytime. I contemplated canceling surgery but, on the advice of several persons, I went ahead with it. I will always wonder what would have happened if I had the faith to go on without the surgery. Remember, God is good, his mercy is everlasting, and his truth endures thru all generations. I was touched by the same Jesus that raised Lazarus, healed the crippled man, gave sight to the blind, etc. I get chills when I think about it. I was raised in a conservative church and was always a “skeptic” of healings, etc. I know now that I was wrong. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
-Jerry Smucker
Healing Testimony
For over a year I have been dealing with a lower back injury, a herniated L-5 disc. I went up front to the altar on a Sunday morning in March and received healing for my back, but was still experiencing pain and discomfort in certain positions and a limited range of motion. Then a couple of weeks ago at small group, I mentioned the fact that I had had this experience with healing but was still feeling tightness and discomfort in the area. My small group was willing to come around me, lay hands on me, and pray, and the remainder of my discomfort and tightness were taken away! It still feels a little strange to be able to put my socks on without pain, but I’m getting used to it and smiling a lot. I’m thankful to serve a God who loves us so much!
Andrew Byler
A Testimony of God’s Grace, Mercy, and Faithfulness
When our daughter, Kayla, was about six months old, my wife started to sense there was something wrong with her, so she made an appointment with the doctor. The doctor said they thought she was blind. Our hearts sank and our thoughts went crazy. Well, after many tests and doctor visits we determined she wasn’t blind, but she was diagnosed with agenesis of the corpus callosum. In laymen’s terms, this means she’s missing the center part of her brain. As a result, she could not walk or talk.
One day at work, I was praying and asking God to heal her, and his response was “Heal her of what?” I thought “What do you mean ‘Heal her of what?’ Look at her—she can’t walk and she can’t talk. I want to hear her say ‘Daddy.’ I want to go for walks with her and talk about her day after school. I want to hear her say ‘I love you.’” God’s response to this was that her soul and her spirit are whole, and her body is only temporary. Well, that wasn’t the answer I was hoping to hear. I was really hoping he would say “Go home, the child is fine.” But he didn’t. That day I went home and looked up healing in the dictionary. One of the definitions was to be made spiritually whole. Even though we didn’t get what I asked for, we did have a peace about the whole thing. The Lord gave me the verse Jeremiah 1:5: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.” Our daughter was known by God before she was even born. Her condition was no surprise to him. Hearing this from God has given us a great peace about our daughter’s condition.
As time went on, she started to use a wheel chair; and we truly believe that at that time her wheel chair was part of her ministry. (Yes, we do believe she has a ministry.) She is who she is. She is just the way God made her to be—not that He can’t change things. This past fall, my wife and I went through Cleansing Stream. On the last day of our three-day fast, Kayla’s teachers sent home a note that our daughter walked from her classroom down to the office and back—for the first time—by herself. Remember my prayer about going for a walk with my daughter? Now I can’t wait to hear what she has to say to me. It just may be “I love you.”
Praying with expectancy,
Jeff Steele
“Miracles Still Happen” - A Testimony
I believe God is asking me to share two miracles that he has blessed me with.
The first one was in the spring of 2007, when I went for a mammogram and they reported a “finding.” I asked a few people close to me to pray about it. The doctors sent me for an ultrasound and more mammography. Between April 16 and May 2 of that year God removed whatever it was they saw. When I went in for the ultrasound, the doctors were very perplexed because they could not find what they had seen! I believe God answered our prayers and removed it.
When I went back to the hospital for my next mammogram on March 14, 2008, they saw a different spot and did more mammography immediately. I had the distinct impression that something was being “put” on me that was not supposed to be there. They told me that I needed to have a biopsy to check for cancer.
Once again, I had a couple of people praying for me, and instead of getting a biopsy right away, I waited. This was over the time when my dad was bedridden and then passed away, so I had enough stress in my life.
When I had my next doctor’s appointment in November of this year, the doctor told me that I had to go get the biopsy done, but since it was so long since the last mammogram, I needed to do that first. I asked him if I needed to get the biopsy done if they did not find anything through the mammogram. He replied that what they found in me does not just go away.
Well, I was smiling inside because I knew God was up to something. So I went for another mammogram on November 12, and I got my results about two weeks later. I am once again clear with nothing there!
I cannot wait to talk to the doctor about it. It will be interesting to see what he has to say!
Praise the Lord!!! He is just as awesome as he ever was!
-Cynthia Blank
“Alarm Clock”
It’s impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him. -Hebrews 11:6
While in college, I spent the night at a friend’s apartment, and she asked me what time I needed to be up for classes the next morning. I told her what time she should set the buzzer on her alarm clock, and she responded by saying, “I don’t have an alarm clock. God wakes me up.” I was a little taken aback, but the conversation struck me in such a way that I thought back to it now and then as the years went by.
Many years later, I felt the Holy Spirit prompting me to give up using my alarm clock just as my friend had done. I was challenged to have faith that the One who holds the universe in His hands could surely have the power to wake me up at the right time. I obeyed, but not wholeheartedly. Before going to bed, I would ask God to wake me up at a certain time. However, if there was something important the next morning, I would set an alarm clock. A few times, I had an early morning meeting, so I brought my cell phone to bed with me so that someone could get a hold of me if I had overslept. In each of those instances, however, I woke up before the alarm, and I was never late for those six o’clock meetings.
My faith increased. I knew that God was taking this seriously, and He was holding His end of the bargain. So I continued to pray before going to sleep that He would wake me up when I needed to wake up.
I have allowed God to be my alarm clock for over a year. I have never missed an event, nor have I woken our son too late to get ready for school. One time, I even asked God to wake me up between 5:30 and 5:45, and when I looked at the clock that morning, it was 5:37.
When I stopped to analyze my act of faith, I realized that it takes more faith to believe that an alarm clock, a conglomeration of metal and plastic made by a bunch of strangers half a world away, is more faithful than the LORD, my closest friend, who is with me always. - Maria
“Treasure Hunt” Testimonies – Part 1
What’s a treasure hunt? According to Kara Graver, it’s an outreach where participants ask God to give them specific words of knowledge (a treasure map) which will reveal information about the people they will encounter. Petra has had three treasure hunts so far: one on November 22, one on December 6, and one on January 10. If you are inspired by the testimonies below, you are invited to participate in a treasure hunt yourself! They are scheduled for the second Saturday evening of each month. Watch the e-bulletin for details.
Each time I go out I’m more amazed at how the Lord orchestrates the evening and opens up opportunities to share and pray with individuals he has so obviously highlighted. We couldn’t take credit for these interactions even if we tried!
To give you an example from the group I was a part of (we had four groups with their own testimonies), we had the clues yellow shirt, older Asian woman, and ice cubes. Of course we didn’t realize that we had walked right up to our treasure until after we had gotten a fruit smoothie. When we recognized that the Asian lady who just waited on us was the one the Holy Spirit was highlighting, we approached her and her husband and began to explain that “We are on a treasure hunt, and we think you might be the treasure.” We showed her the map and began to explain. Boy, you would have thought she had won the lottery, she was so excited! We prayed for her and answered some questions.
From there we already noticed our next treasures – three ladies working at a jewelry store, all of whom were wearing a red dress. When you’re sitting at Petra getting words of knowledge like “red dress” prior to going to the mall you’re thinking, “Is this me or what?” Because who in the world would wear a red dress to the mall? But there they were. Other clues we had were pearl, long curly hair, glasses, and a few others. Looking at the list we tried to figure out which one was our treasure since they all seemed to be highlighted in some way. One of the ladies, who was leaving her shift, came over to ask us what we were doing. When we explained our mission, she outright asked us to please pray for her. So we prayed for her and blessed her and her family. When we were done, she dragged us back into the store to pray for one of her co-workers who was wearing a red dress, glasses, and was standing by some jewelry, including pearls. This woman was overwhelmed by our prayers and was grateful to receive prayer related to her marriage. (We had also received “marriage problem” as a clue.)
On another occasion we were passing a woman who was wearing a yellow sweater and felt prompted to ask if her name was Mary, since “Mary” was on our map. We were downright surprised and encouraged when it was!!! We also had the clues long curly hair, brown boots, children, and child sitting in stroller with child standing. This prompted us to look for children. We went to the photography place and there we got the shock of the evening. We discovered a young woman facing away from us with long curly brown hair that went to the back of her knees. She had on, of course, brown boots, and sitting next to her two children, one in a stroller with an older toddler standing next to the stroller. We freaked out as we realized that this was the exact scene that the Lord was highlighting. We prayed for the entire family and spent some time getting to know them a bit. Let’s just say our faith level increased a few degrees after that encounter! - Kara Graver
“Treasure Hunt” Testimonies – Part 2
I want to go on record as testifying to the unique and creative ways that the Holy Spirit uses yielded vessels. Meeting at Petra on Saturday, December 6, a group of us joined in prayer to listen to what names, locations, descriptions, issues, and the “unusual” might be on God’s heart for the people to pray for on our treasure hunt. We headed to Park City Mall and broke into groups.
Sharing with each other some details that might be connected, three of us went looking for “Seiko watches” and “near watch” clues. We stopped at a kiosk in the Bon Ton corridor across from a display of Seiko watches. We engaged the salesperson in conversation. Asher was from Israel, and we had words of encouragement and blessing which he gratefully received.
As we looked for other clues on our map we encountered a small group of teenagers. Someone from our group asked if that was a Bible they were carrying. They said “yes.” They had just come from a Bible study. They were young members of a Coptic church and spoke Amharic. We talked about faith and closed by asking them if we could pray for them. They asked for prayer for themselves and for their church, which we did with blessing.
The group also prayed for a man from the nation of Georgia and for two Indian men who worked at a kiosk that sold perfume.
Following more treasure map clues, we found a “stairs and escalator” location outside Kohl’s. From the top of the stairs I could see a “pink stroller” (another clue from my list). I walked down the stairs and approached the active little girl. Her name was Heavenly and her mom’s name was Skyler. Sklyer was expecting a baby boy very soon, so she asked for prayer for the baby and the delivery. The little girl ran into my arms, as she was very friendly. The guys in the group stood at a distance and provided a prayer covering over the situation.
Next we wandered into a stuffed animal store. I was looking for a “polar bear” clue. I asked about polar bears. They said they had discontinued selling polar bears recently, but the conversation quickly opened up and included three sales persons. I had the opportunity to talk and share with these folks and to pray with them regarding the desire of their hearts to travel to Japan, and for others to go to Ireland, Scotland, and Italy.
As we were leaving the mall we again saw a fellow who we had seen cleaning the restrooms. He had been pleasant and appeared to be of Hispanic background. One of the other groups had prayed for him in Spanish. He was beaming when we saw him and we added, without knowledge of the other group’s prayer, our own blessing in Spanish. “Dios te bendiga.” It was an evening of blessing and prayer for the nations! In less than two hours, from just our group, more than a dozen people received prayer and blessing. Thank you, Jesus!
Cleansing Stream
“I began Cleansing Stream because Geri Fisher thought that it would be good for me. What I didn’t realize is what a life changing decision this would turn out to be. The classes were challenging at times, but I could feel God working every step of the way. I learned to walk in the Spirit and to commit my life to the Lord...I’ve learned the importance of our words both in giving and receiving. How they are like seeds, some good and some bad all taking root in our lives. God showed me how my fear of rejection was keeping me from the full life that God has for me. I learned that the shame on my face was blinding me. The presence of God was both powerful and majestic at the retreat. At times I wanted to run from the pain that God showed me and how it held me captive, controlling my life. I was able to receive a healing in my heart and soul that is only possible through Jesus Christ and His mercy.” - Kathy H.
The Story of Ralph
To keep it short and sweet, Ralph is 59 years old of very humble means who faithfully walks up and down route 30 and route 41 looking for aluminum cans to help supplement his income. He lives in Gap near the Chester County line. Soon after meeting Ralph, Petra and our small group began a sermon series and study entitled “Better Together.” Our small group bible study discussed possibilities for what we would like to do as our project to reach out to the community, and the topic of Ralph came up. Ideas were exchanged and we prayed for blessings to be poured out on Ralph and that God would raise up other people that would have a heart to help support Ralph.
Our goal was to replace Ralph’s old, rundown and moldy house trailer including plates and silverware, everything. The Community stepped up in a big way, Heritage Homes donated the “new” used trailer, Patriot Homes delivered and installed it, while Lamar Stoltzfus coordinated much of the on-site efforts. We were also able to insulate, provide heat and electric for Ralph’s shed so that he can work in there during the cold winter months instead of in his home. He is also able to sleep in his new bed instead of his couch; a new dresser, end table, and stuffed chair were also provided. The finishing touch was giving Ralph his very own train set which has been a dream of his since he was a child. All of this was accomplished by Christmas, amazing.
I believe that you get what you give and it’s pretty evident that quite a few people in our community have received much more than they have ever expected this past holiday season. This is the first of many miracles that I am expecting to be released in our community in 2008.
A Woman’s Heart, Courage, and Strength
I want to tell you a little bit about myself. I am God’s daughter. I am glad to be God’s daughter. When you first meet me, I will greet you with a smile. I am shy at first until you get to know me and I feel I am able to trust you.
I am sensitive, caring, and eager to keep growing in the Lord. I have a lot of courage and strength, and I am becoming a strong woman, even though I don’t feel strong sometimes. I have many friends and sisters in the Lord, and I am glad to be a part of their Christian family.
I returned to Petra (my home church) in October of 2006. Then, in 2007, life became very hard for me. I had returned to Petra to seek out the Lord in a new way and to live my life differently – being fully committed to the Lord. I also returned to Petra to save my marriage. I went so far as to move to New Holland so I could be closer to my husband and have a new beginning with the Lord and my family. Unfortunately, in 2007, I was forced to go through a very much unwanted divorce. A few months after the divorce was finalized, he remarried.
With the unwanted divorce and the remarriage of my former husband, my heart was shattered and a part of my life was taken away. I just wanted to give up, and didn’t want to go on without him; but with my determination to follow the Lord, to follow my heart and continue with my beliefs, I knew I would make it. My friends were not going to let me give up either. The Lord, my friends, and my determination are what kept me going. Not only did my husband divorce me, my own family was not supportive of me following the Lord, following my heart, my decisions, and my beliefs. I am not close to my family like I once was, and some of them don’t even talk to me anymore.
The people who are not in my life anymore are missing out on a beautiful woman of God, a caring, loving, and strong woman. I still love them and forgive them. I have also asked for forgiveness and have forgiven myself.
I have really grown in the Lord in the past two years. The Lord has blessed me with a new Christian family and many new friends who stand by me. He has blessed me with the light of life. He has blessed me with continued love, and has let me know that I am a woman worth loving. He has blessed me with continued strength and protection. He has also blessed me with renewed hope, and I know God will never leave me or forsake me. He has also taught me to commit things in my life which are too much to do alone. I was also blessed with the gift of poetry soon after my divorce. I believe God has chosen to give me this gift to help me with my pain and loss. I write about what is genuinely in my heart and what I am feeling. I have been writing for a little while now. It has been a good outlet, and it has also given me a positive outlook on life.
I could go on, but in closing, I want to let everyone know that I praise the Lord for what he has done. I am very proud of how far I have come, with all my tests, trials, and struggles I have had to go through. Even though I still have my struggles to this day, I hope that I can be a true testimony of what God can do with your life if you let him. It is you who has to have the determination to follow what is truly in your heart.
- Tracey S.
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