A grandmother and single parent of five, including three adopted teenagers and two grown children, Elvira Huggins worked as a pediatric nurse at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. She was also an active member of Living Word Open Bible Church and sang in the choir.

Having been a diabetic for 30 years, Sister Huggins lost partial vision in her right eye three years ago following laser surgery. This forced her to depend on her left eye. Then, on September 19, 2004, she lost 95 percent of the vision in her good eye. She couldn’t even see her fingernails. Everything appeared black – an experience she describes as terrifying and humiliating.

Elvira could no longer work since she could not read the doctors’ instructions, serve medications, or fulfill the other functions of an R.N. She needed help with the basics, like driving, taking medication, and completing banking transactions. Nevertheless, Elvira says, “God’s people prayed and I believed, even though at times Satan tried to make me doubt.” She received comfort by attending church as often as possible and listening to Bible tapes and Christian music.

Elvira decided to try laser surgery again, this time on her left eye in the hope that her vision would improve. One Sunday morning I saw her sitting dejectedly on a bench in the church yard. She said this eye surgery failed as well. Her doctor had declared her blind, with no hope of regaining her sight. She cried as she informed me of the lifestyle changes she would have to make. All she could do was wait and depend on God.

Over the next six months we anointed her eyes and prayed fervently for her both privately and corporately. Every Tuesday morning during our weekly prayer and fasting meeting, we prayed for her healing. Though frustrated at the loss of independence Sister Huggins praised God and believed Him for healing. Yet she showed no signs of improvement.

On March 25, 2005, I walked into the sanctuary for our special Good Friday service and met a beaming Sister Huggins. Her eyes twinkled as she greeted me. “I drove myself. The Lord touched my eyes. I can see!” I wanted to know every detail.
Every day for the past six months she tried to read her Bible, she said, only to lay it aside in frustration because she couldn’t. Daily she cried out to God. One Sunday in church she turned her head in the direction of her pastor’s voice, unable to see him.

She heard the Holy Spirit ask, “So you have accepted your blindness?”
Startled, she replied,
“No, Lord.”

On Good Friday morning, she opened her Bible as usual. To her amazement she could read the words. Immediately, she called the church’s bus driver and canceled her ride to church. That night she was, and continues to be, the most jubilant worshiper. Her doctor is astounded. Elvira was cleared for work by her physician and by the employee health department. On April 15 she returned to her position at Jackson Memorial Hospital. Now, the nurses ask her to read the very fine print on the ampoules of medicine when they cannot see the words. She chuckles at the thought.

“Thank God for His unmerited love and plentiful grace and favor,” Sister Huggins says. “He has enabled me to hold onto His hands in trying times. My God, our God, is the Divine Healer.”.

Dyrie Francis is Associate Pastor of Living Word Open Bible Church in Hollywood, Florida.