The first time I truly met Jesus, I was eight years old. I remember it so clearly. I was walking through a dark field at night on my way to a neighbor’s house, feeling scared. My mom had taught me about Jesus, and in that moment of fear, I whispered a prayer: “Jesus, if you are real, help me not be afraid.” As soon as the words left my lips, an overwhelming peace washed over me—a peace that, as I would later learn, surpasses all understanding. It was as if I had felt the gentle presence of Jesus right there beside me, and I knew I would never be alone.
A year later, our family faced one of the toughest trials of our lives. My six-year-old sister was diagnosed with a brain tumor. The doctors told us she wouldn’t survive without surgery, and even if she did, there was only a 50/50 chance that she would live through it. And if she did, she would likely be a “vegetable.” Those were dark days, but my family held onto faith with everything we had. We prayed fervently for her healing, trusting that Jesus was holding her in His hands. Against all odds, my sister not only survived the surgery but grew up to become a thriving woman in her 50s, with a master's degree. Watching her journey has been one of the most tangible reminders of God’s grace and power.
Years later, I faced another challenge—one that I never saw coming. It turned out I had a slight, undetected birth defect in both of my feet, something I didn’t realize until my son was diagnosed with a pronounced version of the same condition. As I dealt with pain and underwent multiple surgeries over the course of ten years, I often struggled with questions. Why wasn’t I healing? What purpose could this possibly serve? But in the midst of that pain, I still felt Jesus walking beside me, reminding me that His plans are good even when they don’t make sense to us.
In 2022, I had the opportunity to visit Israel. While I was there, I had a life-changing encounter with Jesus. And it was there, in that holy place, that He healed my feet. The pain I had known all my life melted away, and I walked without a cane for the first time in years. If you’d like to hear more about this incredible journey, you can find the full story on my YouTube Channel.
Through all of these experiences, my faith in Jesus has only grown stronger. I have never doubted that He is real, that He is alive, and that He is exactly who He says He is. I hope that my story can encourage you, wherever you are on your own journey with Him.