Missions and Miracles: Interview with Heidi Baker
One boy of about eight years old was so excited that his ears had been healed because it meant he could go to school. His uncle was almost jumping up and down because he was so happy he could send his nephew to school. He said they’d sent him but he couldn’t understand anything, so he had eventually stopped going.
Just recently, there was a baby girl of about 20 months in a village near Pemba called Mieze. Her legs were weak and she couldn’t walk, and her eyes were completely white. She couldn’t see anything; she’d never seen the face of her mother. As we held her and prayed, her legs became strong and she started kicking them. Then in front of a crowd of international visitors and Mozambicans from that village, Albertina’s eyes turned from white to gray and finally to beautiful dark brown. We sobbed as we watched her actually see her mother for the first time. The whole community was deeply touched and impacted by God’s miracle for a baby girl.
PR: Why do you think the Lord moves so powerfully among the poor?
“Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is kingdom of God.” The poor are completely dependent. They have no back up plan or access to medical care, so we see the Gospel going forth with signs and wonders. God has unquenchable compassion for the poor, the desperate, the hungry and hurting.
PR: What kind of qualities must a person have in order to serve in a place like Mozambique?
The ability to go low and slow. They need to strive to live Philippians 2:3.The fruit of the Spirit. A willingness to learn from the nationals. Willing to sit in the dirt and stop for the one. The knowledge that fruitfulness comes because of intimacy with the Father. The willingness to put Jesus first. It’s not just the multitudes; family is also a key value in the society. You must be willing to lay down your life in humility.
PR: What words of advice and caution would you give to a minister or church that desires to see God do miracles in their community?
Let your life be grounded in God. Go out of your way for one person every day; let it be part of your lifestyle. Pray for the sick every day. Learn how to pour out compassion. Our job is to love. Love comes from the Father’s lavish love poured out on us. He is the one that heals. If we have shown compassion and love which we ourselves have received from God, then we have done God’s will whether they are healed or not. Hearing God’s heart for the person and knowing what He wants to do is the answer.
I hug lots of people every Sunday, people in wheelchairs who don’t get out of them. As many blind as we see healed, we also have homes for the blind who aren’t healed. We have cottage industries for the blind. It’s all about God and giving His love to others. Love accomplishes God’s will even if a supernatural miracle doesn’t happen. The biggest miracle is love.
Special Thanks to John Lathrop for his assistance coordinating this interview.
Category: Pneuma Review, Spirit, Winter 2012
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