Stories & Blog
“It’s As If My Eyes Are Sewn Shut!”
HAITI — In the poorest Haitian neighborhoods, families are still trying to recover from the 2010 earthquake that destroyed homes and livelihoods. Crossworld workers Michael and Lexie bring God’s love to life in their community by building new, earthquake-proof houses. That’s how they met Carleen.
As they worked alongside each other rebuilding Carleen’s home, Carleen shared about her life.
“My family serves and worships spirits,” she told Michael and Lexie. But when they shared about the true God and His gospel, she responded, “Yes, I want to follow Jesus!”
Knowing her past, Michael and Lexie warned her of the cost of this decision. “Persecution from your family may come, and spiritual warfare is almost certain,” they said. “Are you ready for a battle?”
Over the next few days, Carleen began to prove her new faith as she spent time in God’s Word and attended a Bible study with local seminary students.
But then the spiritual battle began. She opened her Bible one morning and she couldn’t see the words on the page. By the end of the day, she couldn’t force her eyelids open. “It’s as if my eyes are sewn shut!” Carleen said. Everyone in the community knew that an evil spirit was blinding Carleen in an attempt to derail her new faith.
The next day, several seminary students went to her home to pray with her. She could open her eyes again — but she still couldn’t see.
Three days passed, and many people visited Carleen. They prayed over her, read Scripture to her, and gave her an audio Bible and worship music to listen to. She finally began to see blurred shapes.
Days later, one of the seminary students called Michael and Lexie. “Carleen just called me,” he said. “She read Scripture to me! She can see!”
Carleen’s sight is restored, and her faith is strong. And through this miraculous healing, Carleen’s mother saw the power of God prevail over the evil spirits her family serves. She, too, decided to trust in Jesus. Instead of bringing persecution, Carleen’s faith has brought her family together in victory.
As they worked alongside each other rebuilding Carleen’s home, Carleen shared about her life.
“My family serves and worships spirits,” she told Michael and Lexie. But when they shared about the true God and His gospel, she responded, “Yes, I want to follow Jesus!”
Knowing her past, Michael and Lexie warned her of the cost of this decision. “Persecution from your family may come, and spiritual warfare is almost certain,” they said. “Are you ready for a battle?”
Over the next few days, Carleen began to prove her new faith as she spent time in God’s Word and attended a Bible study with local seminary students.
But then the spiritual battle began. She opened her Bible one morning and she couldn’t see the words on the page. By the end of the day, she couldn’t force her eyelids open. “It’s as if my eyes are sewn shut!” Carleen said. Everyone in the community knew that an evil spirit was blinding Carleen in an attempt to derail her new faith.
The next day, several seminary students went to her home to pray with her. She could open her eyes again — but she still couldn’t see.
Three days passed, and many people visited Carleen. They prayed over her, read Scripture to her, and gave her an audio Bible and worship music to listen to. She finally began to see blurred shapes.
Days later, one of the seminary students called Michael and Lexie. “Carleen just called me,” he said. “She read Scripture to me! She can see!”
Carleen’s sight is restored, and her faith is strong. And through this miraculous healing, Carleen’s mother saw the power of God prevail over the evil spirits her family serves. She, too, decided to trust in Jesus. Instead of bringing persecution, Carleen’s faith has brought her family together in victory.
Your part in this story...
Crossworld workers Michael and Lexie ask you to pray for these requests.
- Pray for continued spiritual growth and protection for Carleen and her mother as they live in a dangerous community.
- Pray for God to raise up a safe place for a Bible-teaching church in their community.
- Pray for our transition as we move to another country to spread the gospel there.