She came because a flyer advertised a free medical clinic at the corner church. Marie de los Angeles Martinez had been suffering from recurring back problems. Not a member of the church, she hesitated to venture out from home, as she rarely left it since losing her husband seven years before. But free help drew her. As she waited in the crowded entryway, she couldn’t help but watch the Spanish movie about Jesus playing on a DVD player. The doctor, actually a midwife that day, saw her and suggested some pain relievers, which she received from the makeshift pharmacy in a brown paper bag. Then they directed her to the station called, on the cardboard placard taped to the classroom door, “Oracion” (prayer). “What could prayer do for my hurting back or absent husband?” she wondered to herself.

Nevertheless Maria found herself sitting at a school desk in a small circle with two Americans and a kind-faced Mexican only slightly younger than herself. As Maria softened to the gentle questions about her needs, and heard a true life story much like her own, she began to weep and agreed to not only be prayed with but to have anointing oil dabbed on her forehead.

When the payer and translation were finished, Maria stood straight up for the first time in a long time and welcomed hugs around the circle with a genuine smile. Depression was banished and hope flooded her heart. Clutching the gift bag of soaps and toiletries and the precious Spanish New Testament, Maria de los Angeles left that classroom a free woman. And the circle welcomed the next needy woman and started all over again.

Jesus granted our prayers for “divine appointments” all afternoon, that day and four other days. The dental and medical attention given freely to the waiting Mexicans and their children softened heart after heart to receive gentle questions and life giving answers. Of the 300 treated in the week, all received gift bags, most received prayer, 26 received the Lord Jesus Christ, and many precious believers received encouragement and love.

Could we really, truly ease their lives? Perhaps only temporarily. Could we get over our shock and sadness. especially for the 15 year olds all bearing children? Not any time soon. Could we see Jesus’ heart for Mexico, particularly the masses waiting for a break in life at the U.S. border? Absolutely.

It was a privilege to go on this trip, to enter personal lives with the balm of the Name above all names, and to see Jesus use even us, loud, pampered Americans as we are. One afternoon, aware if becoming more and more bold in prayer, I asked God’s forgiveness if I had wrong motives or was making “flip” claims. The next morning God answered me in Psalm 116, verses 1 & 2: “I love the Lord for He heard my cry for mercy. Because He turned His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live.”

I will call on Him as long as I live, whether in the desperate border town of or here Juarez in Sewickley. Only Jesus offers hope, healing, help and holiness. Praise Jesus, that He hears and answers. Kitty Telep, along with Fran McCarthy, Becky Haupt, and Felicity Lewis.