When you see him testify in the pulpit, you will see a diminutive man, thin and small, so much so that the hand-me-down shirt he wears almost gobbles him up, even though he folds the sleeves to reveal his hands. He maybe that in stature, but his testimony is larger than life.
Before Bro. Michael came to know the Lord Jesus Christ, he worked in construction for many years. He was the one who mixed cement and sand to make concrete. According to his testimony, he used potent cement mixes to build sturdy buildings. As he did his job, it couldn’t be helped that cement splashed and went to his unprotected eyes. For years it was like that, until one day, he found himself groping in darkness. He had become blind.
His terrible misfortune happened at work. When he was told to mix concrete, he purposed to go and do it as what he had done before. But he realized that he could no longer see. He had lost his sight and had to grope around to feel his way. His fellow workers noticed the change in him and asked what was wrong. He told them he could no longer see.
The same day, his co-workers brought him home. He said goodbye to them bitterly, saying, “I cannot work anymore. This is the bitter end of my life. When you learn that I have died, just come to my funeral!”
And they left him to his doomed fate.
He was orphaned early in life. When his remaining family and other relations learned that he could not fend for himself anymore, and was in fact very dependent on other people’s help, they all forsook him.
He had absolutely no one to care for him. He was not only destitute for help and care, he was also destitute for food. He lived in a wooden cart. He would go weeks without tasting proper food. Most of the time, he lived only by water.
When he went out, kids made fun of him, stoning him until he sustained head wounds. In fact, he had collected wounds and scars in the head over the years.
One day, feeling so desperate with all the suffering and hardships he was going through, he cried out towards heaven, “God, please end my suffering and take away my life, so I wouldn’t feel this pain in my heart anymore!”
Was he in pain because of his blindness, or the wounds from frequent stoning, or even from constant hunger? Yes, very much so! But more than that, his heart was aching. The pain in his heart was unbearable!
Having experienced illness and suffering myself these past more than 13 years, I know what Bro. Michael is talking about. I know that pain in the heart: the isolation, the loneliness. But for him, it was much more. He was hurt deeply when not a single loved one cared. That hurt him the most. To know that no one loves and cares for you. To know that you are forsaken.
BUT GOD!
God who is rich in mercy and compassion has not abandoned him. He was never forgotten by Him.
One day, beloved workers from JESUS MIRACLE CRUSADE INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY came to him and brought him to the worship service in Amoranto. At this time, he had been blind 7 years. He received the Lord Jesus Christ and was baptized in water in His name. From then on, he attended worship services religiously. He always arrived early and was never late.
One night after worship service, he didn’t have anyone to bring him home. But as he groped in the dark late in the night, he heard the voices of two men speaking to him. They instructed him to hold onto their hands, one on each side of him. And they started to walk. At some point, he stumbled and lost his footing. While he groped for their hands, he touched feathered wings instead! He realized what was happening. And in that instant, a light flashed and pierced into his unseeing eyes and for a fleeting moment, he could see through the bright light, just long enough for him to see that he was walking with two angels! Hallelujah!
Then one Sunday in November 2016, about 6 months after he received salvation, he was early in Amoranto as usual. Morning joggers still littered the oval. He found himself needing to drink (or something), so he left his place and groped for the stairs going to the bleachers. A few steps…grope…wall…a few steps…grope…stairs… And so on.
But as he approached the bleachers as the stadium opened to the vast morning sky, he could see a glimmer of light above. He realized he was looking at the sky! When he reached the top of the VIP area, he could see the joggers jogging around the oval, children playing. He could see the trees and all around him!
The Lord Jesus Christ has healed him of his blindness! After 7 years of being absolutely blind, he could now see!
Because of Bro.Mchael’s amazing testimony, many in his neighborhood are in awe of the wondrous works of God. They know him as the poor blind man that can now see and mingle with them. They come to him and listen to his testimony. Many are being saved because of his story. God’s story.
All glory, honor, praise, and thanksgiving belong to the Lord God Almighty – our dearest Lord Jesus Christ! Amen and amen!
