South Pacific 2002 - Vanuatu Reports

Matthew's Story

He was a local musician who made his living playing in bars.  A village man who went to the big city to find life, but was disappointed with the empty promises of drinking and partying.  Matthew wanted something more.  Two weeks before the "Fire Over Santo!" Campaign, someone came to his village and led him to Christ.  He gave up his work in the bars of Port Vila.  His wife and three children, living on Santo, noticed the change.

When the Young Ministry Group Campaign was announced in Luganville, a friend invited Matthew to attend.  Rain had been soaking the ground for days, but Matthew and his friend perched themselves at the edge of Unity Park on a woven mat, listening to the music and testimonies.  Julie was the first woman evangelist to preach on Santo, and Matthew and his friend represented the general curiosity about the woman and her team .

Park lighting was very limited.  The two men sat in wet darkness as Julie began preaching.  Matthew’s friend yelped a cry:

"Do you see that?"

"See what?"

"Don’t you see that fire?"

It was dark except for the lighting from the platform.

"What do you see?" asked Matthew.

"You can’t see that fire, coming out of her hand?"

He narrowed his eyes, looking carefully.

"When she lifts up her hand, fire comes out of it!"

They stared intently, listening to Julie’s words.  Matthew began to think about what had been happening in his life.  He recognized the supernatural, and tried to understand what it meant.  There was something important about what Julie was saying.

Julie preached about how Jesus heals, and Matthew began to think about the acid and burning in his stomach and throat.  He had given his life to Jesus—but this!  That Jesus could still heal today, like He did in the pages of the Bible! He wondered if it could be true.

Then Julie ended her speech by calling people to come forward to the platform to receive Christ.  She asked sick people to come if they wanted to be healed. That settled it for him.  He watched where Julie stood among the team at the base of the platform.  He made his way, deliberately, into the line in front of Julie. God had been speaking to Matthew, and he did not want to miss out.

After Julie laid her hands on him and prayed, and the pain and burning vanished!  He was completely healed.  He went home and told his wife, "Julie is here for only one week.  We must go see her.  We must go."

There was more to come as Matthew’s family attended the nightly meetings. Matthew’s wife and their 18 year old son surrendered their lives to Christ. And his daughter, a teacher in a local school, was born again.  The power of the simple gospel, confirmed by signs and wonders, did its work.  A man and his entire family were touched and transformed.

Based on Matthew’s story as told to the YMG Team in Luganville, on Santo Island in Vanuatu

This story and The Storm are only two of many in which the Lord confirmed the word as it was preached by Julie and YMG Team members.  Often God chooses to use a healing to demonstrate the truth of the gospel and the Lordship of Jesus.  Sometimes God chooses a sign that is specifically tuned to the people or person He is reaching out to, beautifully autographed with His love and wisdom.  God still speaks to people today by signs and wonders.  Young Ministry Group gives glory to God for showing His mercy to people in these marvelous ways, all over the earth.