At the start of 1980 I was aware of a problem in my collar bone and I always felt there was something  the start of  1980 I was  aware  of  a  problem  in  my  collar  bone  and  I  always  felt  there  was  something  stuck in my throat. Over the next four years this travelled down all of the right hand side of my body.
Eventually this was diagnosed Ankalosing Spondylitus (A.S.).
By 1984 I was unable to do most of my work at home or in the workplace. Unable to manage cutting up my own food or hold a cup, embarrassment stopped me from going out to eat with other people, I couldn't even fasten buttons or properly dress myself.
By the summer of 1984 swallowing food became a big problem.
Footwear, no matter how soft, just caused the skin on my feet to break open and bleed.

During all of these four years I had received excellent medical help but these secondary problems were now a real puzzle to the doctors.

As a Christian belonging to Leek Pentecostal Church there was much personal and corporate prayer being prayed.
I cannot say I was always gracious in my prayer times, I was loosing even more use of my body which meant less and less independence. I had a wonderful family who helped me in every way they could but what I really wanted was to do these things for myself.
One day I just said "Lord I think you must want me like this, so I am not praying about it anymore, I will just accept it and get on with life as it is".
Thank goodness God is so gracious and patient with us!
Things just went from bad to worse, most of my time was now spent resting in bed...

October 1984, my daughter Catherine came home from church very excited, "A visiting preacher, David Willows, who has a healing ministry is coming to the church, come and be prayed for?", I said no.
I couldn't get there as my husband Ian was working away from home at the time, there was no way I could walk there and by now I couldn't drive either.
However Catherine did not not give up easily, she kept on asking even arranging a lift with a friend for me.
Very reluctantly I went along and what a lovely meeting it was.

I felt relaxed the preacher was such a lively man and it was great to see everyone again.
After about an hour sitting upright the usually problems started. I never liked anyone to see me when this happened so I made my way to a room at the back of the hall where I could lie on the floor until David started his prayers for healing. Unfortunately by the time he started I was in the toilets being sick and unable to stand up.
(This time of evening was when I normally would have been in bed so my system couldn't cope).
David Willows sent a message for me to come to the front for prayer, friends tried to help me get there but I kept passing out so they laid me down on the floor of the back room.
I can only relate what others told me at this point as I was completely out of it.

David Willows had come into the back room and prayed over me with all the people of the house group I was part of. The next thing I know I woke up to see all their faces looking down on me, then I realized something was very different... no pain or sickness! I sat up on my own without any help then I stood up.
Looking at my arms, legs, and feet, no cuts bruises to be seen; my shoes were slipping off my feet now to big for me as all the swelling had gone down.
Suddenly the excitement in that little room exploded! There were tears, laughter, and so much thanks to God!
That night was the first time I ever danced in church, I danced like David danced, I'd never even done that when I was well, but I did that night! Praise God!

As all this sank in I prayed, I asked God "Why now when I had come to expect the problem?".
God gently replied "I never asked you to expect it, you did."
He waited until I could release my control on my life, then He would let me see He sent His only Son Jesus Christ into my life not only to save me but also to heal me. By His stripes, His blood, we are healed! Thank you Lord.

That was the 20th October 1984, Life has never been the same since! The condition was completely healed, the consultants were amazed but cautious. They called me in for check-ups for nearly three years before agreeing it was really not needed. When God heals it is complete, I have never looked back, there is no way I could ever repay God for His goodness but I give thanks every day.

                                                     
                                      WHAT A MIGHTY GOD WE SERVE!

  
Barbara Smith