Our Joy Made Complete
by Ann Bauwens
Winter 1997
As we at CHM celebrate 10 years in Jacksonville, and as Christians all around the world celebrate the wondrous birth of our Lord, my husband Bob and I have an extra special reason to be thankful and rejoice! CHM's anniversary and this time of year bring to our minds and hearts the greatest gifts with which God has blessed us!
I can still remember the day our parish priest announced that Francis and Judith MacNutt were moving their prayer ministry right here to Jacksonville, Florida. When the announcement was made, I burst into tears. As I sat there a little embarrassed at my sudden display of emotion, I thought back to 1979 when I read my first Christian book, "The Power to Heal," by Francis MacNutt. I could never have guessed then how much God, that book, and its author would change my life.
Just weeks after the announcement, I began to volunteer at the 'new' Christian Healing Ministries office on the third floor of St. John's Cathedral downtown. As Norma Dearing and Don and Anne Bloch worked very hard setting up the new office and answering already ringing phones, I could not help but grow more and more excited about the MacNutts' impending arrival.
Norma asked if my husband, Bob, and I would like to meet Francis on his first day in Jacksonville and take him to dinner. She suggested an Italian restaurant across the street from the place he was staying. We were delighted.
Bob and I waited anxiously in the parking lot of the apartment complex that Francis and Judith would call home for the next few months. In a short while, a small, old four–door Mazda pulled up and parked near us. As we looked curiously at the driver, we thought it must be Francis. We studied the car for a moment. Simultaneously, Bob and I glanced at the bumper sticker and read, "If you don't like my driving, stay off the sidewalk!" We got such a chuckle out of that bumper sticker that we felt an immediate release of anxiety.
Just then a tall, lanky fellow unfolded from the car. His friendly, gentle voice greeted us: "Hello! I am so glad to meet you!" It was the start of a memorable and enjoyable evening and the beginning of a long and endearing friendship with this very special man.
We crossed the street to Angelo's Italian Restaurant, where we enjoyed a fine meal and hours of conversation. Francis and Bob were elated to discover that they both were from St. Louis. As we talked about our respective families, we told Francis about my years of infertility and that in 1978, one of the best infertility doctors in the country determined that I would not be able to conceive or carry a child.
However, the prognosis was the doctor's and not the Lord's!
Back in 1979, Bob and I had visited my family in Florida. We shared with them what the doctors had determined and the fact that Bob and I still wanted to have a family. My brother, Thom, offered to pray for us. It was my first experience with prayer. I had never before asked God for anything specific for myself.
Thom's prayer was more powerful than I ever imagined. As he prayed for me, he read this Scripture:
"I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be made complete." (John 16:23–24).
As a result of that prayer of faith, Bob and I conceived and nine months later delivered our beautiful baby girl, Katie, our gift from God. I was introduced to a very personal, loving and giving Lord who wants to give us good things. He wanted to give me the desire of my heart: to have a baby.
Throughout the next seven years I would occasionally read the first chapter of the gospel of Luke about Mary and Elizabeth's shared joy at the anticipation of having their sons, one God's Son and greatest gift to us, and the other John the Baptist, "who goes on before the Lord to prepare the way for Him" (Luke 1 :76). The angel Gabriel told Mary, "Even Elizabeth is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month," and he assured her, "Nothing is impossible with God" (Luke 1 :36–37). My faith strengthened as I read the Scriptures and began to understand God's love for his children. We believed God had another baby for us — we were sure of it!
We told Francis how we had prayed again and again for the last seven years and had not been able to have another child.
"Well," Francis said, "would you like for me to pray for you?" Of course, our answer was, yes!
We prayed right then. That was February 28, 1987. Our son, Robert, was born November 30, 1987 — nine months exactly! Hallelujah!
The Lord admonished me a month before Francis prayed that "everything in life is a gift, even the very breathe I take." That's the way of God. "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the Word of Truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of all he created" (James 1: 17–18).
Just 10 years ago this month, I held our new baby boy in my arms. A precious gift born to us — an answer to many years of prayer. "Ask and you shall receive, and your joy will be complete" (John 16:24b ). Now we joyfully celebrate during the Christmas season the gift of God's son, Jesus, born in our hearts to bring new life. Without Jesus, I would have no real life or joy in my heart and no daughter or son to hold in my arms.
God knows just how to fill om: hearts and bless us with many things for which we can be joyful. "When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy" (Luke 1 :57–58). Many friends and relatives shared our joy, as well.
It is hard to believe time has gone by so quickly. It seems like just yesterday that Francis, Bob and I were getting to know one another. Angelo's Italian Restaurant is still there. Christian Healing Ministries is growing and being blessed by the Lord. Our lives in Christ are woven together in a beautiful tapestry of God's healing love.
Katie, my best girlfriend, is a senior in high school and is looking at colleges. Robert, "my wonderful son," as I call him, is in the fourth grade and just celebrated his tenth birthday. They both know they are miracle children, and best of all, they know they belong to Jesus.
God's precious gift, Jesus, birthed in our hearts, brings us life and everlasting joy. Jesus made our joy complete. Amen!
Bob and I continue to be actively involved with Christian Healing Ministries. Bob serves on the Board of Directors and occasionally accompanies Francis on conference trips. The latest was to Germany in 1996. Bob and Francis are still dear friends. They enjoy bird–watching, sports, lots of laughter and a precious friendship.
I officially joined the CHM staff in 1992 when Robert started preschool. I have served as Francis and Judith's secretary, a prayer minister, conference coordinator and now Director of Prayer Ministry Education.
But, I would rather think of myself more simply than in titles. I am just blessed beyond measure to have such a wonderful family of God at CHM. The staff and volunteers, past and present, are all co–workers in Christ. We share a bond of love and deep friendship that will always be treasured.
To God be the glory! Merry Christmas!
| Ann Bauwens is the Director of Prayer Ministry Education at CHM. |  |