“Why is God punishing me? I’m a good person. How much faith do I have to have for Him to heal me?”

Tears streamed down Sonia’s cheeks as she pleaded for answers.

I knelt beside Sonia’s bed as we visited with her — a young mother slowly dying from what seemed like AIDS. Over the last few months, she’s lost use of her legs. Her arms are now limp and her breathing more labored. She can no longer do anything for herself.

Her seven-year-old son climbs around on her bed and cares for her during the day, bringing her water, food, and helping her roll over or sit up. She also has two-year-old twins that she’s already sent to live with someone else. The man she lives with drinks up most of the money that he makes in construction work. Food is scarce, the house is a mess, and the child is unkempt and undisciplined. A sense of hopelessness seems thick in the air of this place, and I struggle for words of hope to say to her.

Other Christians keep telling Sonia that if she just has enough faith, she can be healed. They shout demands for demons to flee and for God to heal her, but when He doesn’t, they say it’s because of her lack of faith.

Frustrated, she asks me again and again, “How much faith do I have to have? I have faith that Jesus will heal me, but I’m not being healed.”

All I can do is assure Sonia. “God loves you. Yes, He can heal you, but doesn’t always choose to for reasons we can’t understand.”

I share the gospel with her again and she promises that she has put her faith in Jesus.

There are many like Sonia in our village. They’ve lived reckless lives and are now reaping the consequences of their carelessness. But I know God’s grace is extended to Sonia and the way of salvation offered to her. Will you pray for those like Sonia that don’t yet know the hope and spiritual healing that Jesus brings?