Alvin's Miracle

Two blind men were sitting by the roadside,

and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted,

"Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!"

The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet,

but they shouted all the louder,

"Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!"

Jesus stopped and called them.

"What do you want me to do for you?" he asked.

"Lord," they answered, "we want our sight."

Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes.

Immediately they received their sight and followed him.

(Matthew 20:30-34)

When Jesus came to earth as God made man, his purpose was to die on the cross for sinners - every human being that has ever lived. The sacrifice of a perfect person was the only acceptable offering for a righteous God. Because of Christ's suffering everyone who confesses their sin and accepts Jesus as their personal Savior can be saved from eternal damnation and look forward to an eternity with God in Heaven.

In Jesus' first recorded sermon he said

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me,

because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners

and recovery of sight for the blind,

to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

(Luke 4:18-19)

Christ accomplished so much during his time on earth (before he died on the cross, then was raised back to life, and soon after ascended back to Heaven). Miracles were a major part of his ministry.

The purposes of Christ's miracles were twofold. "First, they revealed the sovereignty, power, and glory of God and of His Son. Second, they revealed mankind's desperate need. His healings expose the devastation caused by sin, as well as God's power and will to repair such sin-wrought desolation and wretchedness." Another way to look at the first purpose is that "miracles are the testimony of God as to the nature and person of Jesus Christ." Miracles confirmed that Jesus was who he said he was.

While Jesus is not walking the earth in visible, human form today, he is every bit as much present and involved in our lives as he was with the individuals he healed in the Bible.

When a 13-year-old boy from Liberia, West Africa, lay dying in a tuberculosis sanitarium, it seemed this child had been forgotten. When his bed sores had eaten away his flesh to the point that he bones and internal organs were visible, he could no longer walk, use the bathroom, roll over, or simply lay in a comfortable position, Alvin's future seemed hopeless, and death just around the corner.

On one of Patty's first visits to Alvin she thought he would die within a few days. Alvin asked Patty to sleep near him in the sanitarium (on the floor beside the bed) so that if Jesus came, when he saw a white person, He would be inclined to stop and see Alvin. Patty explained to Alvin that Jesus showed no preference for black or white skin, and then led Alvin through the plan of salvation, so that if Alvin were to pass away in the night, Jesus would indeed bring him home with Him to Heaven. Alvin accepted Jesus as his Savior that night and Patty slept on the hard cement floor beside him.

Alvin and his birth mom had been praying a long time for some way that Alvin's life could be spared. Some way for him to live the future he dreamed of and recover from his constant suffering. Through the ministry of Patty Anglin with Acres of Hope, Water of Life, various missionaries on the ground in Liberia, and a loving Christian family in America, the present day hands of Christ reached out to Alvin to save his precious life and bring him to a place where he can receive the most physical recovery possible on earth. Through this, along with financial donations, and the prayers of thousands of people, God has worked a modern day miracle in the life of a little child who thought he had been forgotten. Who thought Jesus only came to white people. Who thought his dreams to see life and a future in America would never come true.

Christ is still alive and well today, working in the lives of the great and the very, very small. I hope Alvin's story has convinced you that Jesus Christ is who he says he is, and he has great, great love and compassion for the physically suffering and spiritually lost.

As I stood watching Alvin's plane taxi toward the runway last night I realized I had just experienced one of those "once in a lifetime" days that you never, ever forget. Sometimes I just can't believe I am so blessed to be a part of what God is doing in the hearts and lives of people here in Africa.

Here is Alvin's departure day in picture:

The flight ended up coming in late so Alvin left the country at about 5:50 PM (Wednesday, the 12th of August). It was raining most of the afternoon.

Unfortunately Patty was not able to actually come to the airport to see Alvin off as she had previously scheduled a really important meeting for Wednesday. This is the Alvin/Patty good bye picture. I love this one!

Leaving ELWA hospital.

Boarding the AOH ambulance.

He was very excited!

Roland from Water of Life saying his good byes.

Roland will see Alvin again soon since they

are (now) both from Greenville SC.

Alvin crying as the time approaches to

say good bye to his birth mother and siblings.

There it is!

Buster/Greg from AOH meeting the pilot and crew.

The pediatric nurse meeting Alvin and David, and discussing details.

The paramedic meeting Alvin.

Alvin's least favorite part.

Time to board!

One last smile for the camera before saying good bye.

The Jet ICU team was incredible and I know Alvin was in great hands.

This was Alvin's miracle.

Please remember to pray for Alvin's physical healing. He has a long road ahead of him. Also, continue to contribute to the flight fund, if you are able.

-Melodie (AOH Volunteer)