The next morning Almeda and I were prepared for the teaching session with the pastors, scheduled to be held in the adjacent compound. But where were the pastors? Why had Mr. Stephens not come? We waited and waited and waited. Eventually a cart drawn by two water buffalo arrived along with the pastors and Mr. Stephens.

"Our plan has changed," he informed us." The pastors heard about the miracle on the buffalo. They are saying, 'This is too good just for a buffalo. The people need help.' So we are going to Adipudi Village to hold a healing meeting"

The two of us ladies climbed aboard this flat platform, two-wheeled cart conveyance. In spite of the reeling of the cart as we traversed back roads and crossed fields, we enjoyed the countryside. The pace these beasts move at is only two to three miles per hour. The cart had no side railings, but we often had to clutch the sides while holding our umbrellas over our heads to protect from the hot sun. The pastors were chattering away in Telugu among themselves while they trudged along before and behind the rolling cart.

When we arrived at the village, immediately we were greeted in typical Indian fashion-hands raised to face level in a "praying hands" position. The first to greet us with a wide smile was an elderly Christian lady, Mary. She was completely bent forward from the waist and was unable to raise herself or straighten up. She walked with the aid of a stick. This was not her home but it was she who served us with a lovely rice meal. As we finished, her request was, "Pray for me." We prayed but saw no immediate result. She had been in that condition for many years.

Next it was time for the service to begin. The local pastor, who was one of our group, had gathered the people to his little thatched roofed, "brush arbor" church. About 35 to 40 people were present. After the singing was over, we were introduced and I spoke a powerful message from Acts Chapter 3--the healing for the crippled man at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple.

A call was given following the service, inviting people to come forward for healing prayer. At first people were slow to respond, except for one person--our smiling, crooked-backed Mary! Again we prayed.

I had been attracted to the expression on the face of one beautifully dressed young woman. Most of the village people wore drab, homespun, rough sarees. She had on a lovely pink silk saree with gold thread in the border. But it was not the dress that attracted me. It was the expression on her face. It seemed to be filled with mixed emotions. I went over to pray for her. As I approached she said in clear English, "God bless you."

Then as I was within arms length, she cried out, "No, no!" I recognized that this lovely woman has an evil spirit resisting God. I discovered she had three witchcraft charms on her body. One was a copper anklet, the other were charms around her neck and waist. After she removed them I prayed, commanding the Devil to come out. She fell out flat. After praying I moved on to others.

As I crossed the room to the other side where people were now gathering to receive prayer, who should be out in front? Mary! They were all seated on the floor. I was drawn to pray once more with her. Stephens, a little agitated, said, "Leave her; there are others." Oh, that I could speak to them!" I knew one word common to all these South Indian languages-"Stothirum", meaning, "Praise the Lord." I spoke that word and motioned to her to get up on to her feet and praise the Lord. Instantaneously she sprang to her feet, stood fully erect, raising her hands in praise.

The reaction was so spontaneous, the miracle so remarkable; it was as though the whole congregation was electrified. They began lining up for prayer. Mr. Stephens was so awe struck, his mouth dropped open and he stood motionless. By this time the lady out of whom we had cast devils had arisen and had come over to where we were and was asking if she could help us pray for the people. I learned that she had been raised a Christian but her father had married her off to a Muslim man. They moved away to Hyderabad and she had left her faith in the Lord. Now she was restored and her face was glowing.

By this time the pastors had become so excited, they and other members of the local congregation had gone into the village and had brought in all the sick and suffering for prayer. Almeda stood on one side of the room and I on the other, forming two lines. We were kept busy praying for all kinds of things for about two hours. We did not know the ailments unless they showed us, by placing their hand on the problematic parts of the body. We just prayed in faith, in the name of Jesus according to Mark 16:17&18. Many miracles and healings took place which only heaven knows about.

We were to go back after the afternoon meeting. But again: change of plans. Everyone was so charged up after what they had seen that they requested us to have an outdoor service at night. Electricity failed--what little that village had. A car battery and sound system was hired and two pressure lamps procured. I preached salvation to a large crowd--for such a tiny village. Once or twice we had to stop and cast out devils from disturbed people. We proceeded and saw many healing and miracles--various diseases, heart problems, high blood pressure, and one little boy had hearing restored to his deaf ears.

On the day following we were together again with the pastors. One question was raised. "What about that Bible verse that says women should keep quiet in churches?"

Mr. Stephens relayed the question to me. I replied simply: "Well, you saw what God did yesterday in your own church." No more Questions!

In a country or culture, where male supremacy is predominate, for a woman to have any credibility is a challenge. From that time onwards there has been an OPEN DOOR for me to this Andhra field. Although many changes have occurred, out of this humble beginning, the present ministry was born.

India for Christ now encompasses four District Branches, supports more than twenty pastors as well as other workers, operates a Children's Home, with 40 to 50 needy boys. At the central church around 2000 people gather weekly for service. Most of these have come to Christ through the ministry of India for Christ.

The Working of Miracles opened the door.

© Evelyn Splane
GOSPEL OF CHRIST OUTREACH Website