the lady in the purple coat

I made a trip to Wal-mart this morning in hopes of buying a few Christmas cards. As I was standing in the card aisle searching for the perfect one that would say exactly what was in my heart, I noticed that I was right by the cards for husbands and wives. My stomach did a little flip. That's it, I'm done. And out the door I went. Purchase less.

I came home, went straight to the upper room and cried my little heart out. Most of the time, I cry for no other reason but the simple fact that I miss Cody. I sat in the Togo themed prayer closet... telling God that I know Cody is with him and that he's ok, but I just miss him so much. And then almost demanding Him to heal my heart. He's the only one who can.

After a while, I went downstairs to see what the students were up to. They were on their way out the door for a time of praying for and encouraging people at the bus station in Charlotte... and wanted to know if I wanted to join them.

My flesh didn't, but I knew that if I just went and got to pray for a few people I would feel so much better.

So I'm at the bus station, paired up with Lauren and Elby. I'm looking around at all the people coming and going.. 98% African-Americans.. and trying to discern who Holy Spirit is prompting me to go talk to.

Elby pointed out a Hispanic lady with a purple coat who was walking towards us. Earlier this morning, as the students were interceding for their time at the bus station, someone saw a lady in a purple coat. I wasn't in that meeting.

Anyway, I encouraged Lauren and Elby to go talk to her while I waited and prayed for them. After a few seconds, they came back telling me that she doesn't speak English. But they still gave her a small booklet of the Gospel of John in Spanish. Agua Viva! Living Water!

I stood there for a minute or so knowing full well that I could go talk to her. My heart started pounding and I felt Holy Spirit gently nudging me. So I told Lauren and Elby to stay there and pray for me.

As I approached her, I just shared that we were praying for people at the station and asked if I could pray for her. She gladly accepted. So I asked if there was anything specific... and she said "Estoy enferma." (I'm sick).

I prodded a little further. What's wrong, I asked. "Cancer de mi estomago," she replied. Stomach cancer. Now it doesn't matter what language we were speaking. The word "cancer" sounds slightly the same in English and Spanish.

My heart dropped, but at the same time, I felt like this was a divine appointment. I shared with her a little of Cody's testimony and then prayed for her... asking Holy Spirit to touch her body and open her eyes to His magnificent love.

I don't know what God did or what kind of exchange happened in the Spirit, but I believe that God had us both exactly where He wanted us this afternoon.

Please pray for Domi (pronounced Doe-me).

To say that I left the bus station in awe of God is a slight understatement. This morning, I was totally focused on myself and almost consumed by my own grief - and this afternoon, He sent me to pray healing over a lady all the way from Mexico with cancer.

Wow, God!