After the Last Amen Part 1

"The Lord sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness."

- Psalm 41:3 NIV

Before becoming a missionary, I often thought that ministry was mainly about preaching, giving Bible studies, and reaching large groups of people. I believed that the most meaningful experiences would come from big events and visible results. However, one encounter taught me a different and valuable lesson.

During one of our visits, we met a man in his seventies who had been suffering from several health problems for a long time. He was weak and often in pain. He had gallstones, high blood pressure, and swollen feet caused by kidney complications. Because of his condition, even moving around was difficult for him. Seeing him for the first time made me realize how much he was struggling every day.

My partner and I decided to visit him regularly. We prayed with him, encouraged him, and tried to help in whatever way we could. We provided activated charcoal and gave him gentle massages to help him feel more comfortable. For one week, we continued visiting and praying for him, hoping that God would improve his condition.

As the days passed, we started noticing small changes. He shared that the pain in his stomach was becoming less severe. His face looked more relaxed, and he seemed more hopeful than before. Although he was not completely healed, there was clear improvement. More importantly, he began to smile again.

What impacted me the most was not simply seeing his condition improve. It was realizing that ministry is often found in simple acts of care. We did not perform a great miracle, organize a large program, or preach to a crowd. We simply spent time with one person who needed encouragement.

This experience reminded me that people do not always need grand solutions. Sometimes they need someone who will listen, pray with them, and remind them that they are not alone. Through that elderly man, God taught me that ministry is not measured by the number of people we reach but by the love and compassion we show to those around us.

Looking back, I realized that God often works through small and ordinary moments. A visit, a conversation, a prayer, or a simple act of kindness can make a bigger difference than we expect. That experience helped me understand that being a missionary is not only about sharing God's message with many people—it is also about reflecting His love to one person at a time.

-Claidyth Honey Bonsico I 65th Batch 1000MM