In a small village in Palawan, 31-year-old Jana, a mother of four, faced unimaginable challenges. During her pregnancy with her fourth child, she began to experience difficulty moving her right leg. After giving birth to a healthy baby girl, Jana woke up unable to move either leg and lost control of her bladder and bowels. Her abusive husband abandoned the family, leaving her vulnerable and desperate. With the help of her mother, who moved in to care for the children, Jana sought various forms of healing, but none provided relief. In their darkest moments, they were introduced to a medical outreach team working in the area, leading to their journey of healing, faith and community support.
In Need of Community Support
Jana found herself in an abusive marriage. Her husband drank heavily and often returned home drunk resulting in mistreatment of her and her family.
Two years ago, she got pregnant with her fourth child. The pregnancy progressed normally until the last month. Jana developed tingling and numbness from the waist down on the right side. About a week before giving birth, she got to the point that she could not move her right leg. Thankfully, she was able to have a normal delivery giving birth to a healthy baby girl. After giving birth, Jana went home to recover. One week later, she awoke unable to move either her left or her right leg and unable to control her bladder or her bowels.
Realizing that his wife had become an invalid, her husband wasted no time and quickly deserted the family. Jana was desperate. How could she go on? How would she provide for her children and take care of a newborn when she could no longer care for herself?
Jana’s mother moved in with the family, helping to care for Jana, her newborn baby girl and the other children. Jana’s mother quickly realized that their family was in need of a miracle and so they sought out the local healer. They recommended that Jana and her family call upon the spirits and suggested a number of remedies that were questionable at best. Sadly, Jana and her family found no relief and found themselves more hopeless than before.
Healing and Support from the PAMAS Medical Team
Our medical team in Palawan includes a community outreach nursing program. We go into some of the least privileged areas in our region and do what we can to help those living there find hope and healing in Jesus. When we entered Jana’s village, her neighbors gathered around and informed us that we should be sure to visit her home.
I was overwhelmed when I met Jana. I myself was feeling empty and broken. “How am I supposed to bring healing to others when I need healing just as much as they do?” I questioned. In that moment of vulnerability, I was reminded of God’s promise: “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart.” Psalm 51:17. God doesn’t require perfection from us; He simply asks for a heart willing to be renewed by His love. I prayed that I want to aid in Jana’s journey of healing and faith as I show her support.
As I surrendered to Him, I felt His strength carry me through the moments when I felt like I had nothing left to give. He carried my burdens, and in doing so, He allowed me to carry His healing to those who needed it most. This is also a journey of healing and faith for me.
As I entered Jana’s house, my heart was heavy. I put myself in her place: paralyzed from the waist down without a way to leave the house. Day and night, she lay in the same position in the same room with nothing but the four walls of her tiny bamboo hut to stare at. As a result, she had developed severe pressure sores.
Leaning on God for Healing
Jana was very thin and malnourished. My team and I realized that for her to improve, she needed adequate nutrition and so we began to help support her nutritional needs.
We began to treat the pressure sores and educated Jana and her family on the importance of changing positions throughout the day to help prevent the development of further pressure sores. We provided some pillows to help cushion the areas under so much pressure. Praise God, the wounds have nearly healed. Unfortunately, due to the circumstances, she is always at risk for developing more sores so every time we visit her, we check her skin.
I felt helpless regarding how to help her with her paralysis. My heart ached for her. “Lord, I am so weak and so powerless! What can I do?” I cried out. With much prayer, we worked within our means, limited to what our hands could do. We used massage and hydrotherapy and exercised simple faith in God and His power.
Despite these limitations, we began to see remarkable progress. Slowly, she started to move her toes and then parts of her legs. Every small movement testified of God’s healing power at work. Having faith to trust in God’s timing and plan even when things seem uncertain is a blessed way to live.
Watching Jana and her family slowly turn away from false hope toward the true source of healing greatly impacted me. They had previously sought “quack” spirit healers. But step by step, they chose to walk in faith in the God of heaven. It was a slow process, yet as we entrusted everything to God, they began to experience their journey of healing, faith and community support.
Out for a Ride
One morning our team rode our motor bikes the 30 minutes from our base to Jana’s home. We noticed a wheelchair under her hut. “When is the last time you left your hut?” we asked. “6 months ago,” was the reply. “Would you like to go outside today?” I asked. Jana’s eyes lit up and a smile brightened her face. “Yes! yes, I would love that very much” Jana said joyfully.
PAMAS has a church plant in Jana’s community and because the roof was up on poles and some of the walls were up, the congregation had begun meeting there. The church was a short distance from Jana’s hut. Jana had heard all about the construction of the church but had never been able to visit it herself. “Would you like to go out and see the progress on the church?” I asked. Jana enthusiastically nodded her head.
My team and I carefully transferred Jana out of her hut and into the wheelchair. Jana smiled as she felt the sunshine warm her skin for the first time in months. As the wheelchair bumped along the path to the church, she was quiet, reveling in the novelty of being outside. She asked to just sit in the sun outside the church. We chatted for half an hour or so. Finally, I was impressed to ask her if she would like us to come back on Sabbath and take her to church. I was overjoyed when she said, “Yes!”
Jana’s Family at Church
That Sabbath, Jana and her family, for the first time, came to church together. Watching them worship as a family, was a transformative moment. What a beautiful reminder that God’s grace is powerful enough to heal not only our physical problems but also to restore our mental and spiritual health.
My faith deepened and I was reminded to always be willing to surrender my own ways for His, my weakness for His strength, and my doubts for His promises. This journey of healing, faith and support has also became my own.
Acknowledgements
This mission would not have been possible without the incredible support of my team. Yulied, my main partner in this mission, played a vital role in handling the patient’s therapy sessions. Her dedication and expertise provided the patient with much-needed support throughout the week., Working alongside her has been an opportunity for me to learn and grow.
I am also grateful for Lauralea, the head of our medical department, and the rest of our amazing team. They are always ready to guide us, visit patients, raise funds, and, most importantly, pray for those in our care.
Thank you for being part of this mission, whether through prayer, support, or encouragement. Your partnership makes a world of difference. No burden is too small for God to notice. He sees, He cares, and He moves in ways far beyond our understanding. Even our smallest efforts, in His capable hands, can lead to miracles.
– Erica Burgos
