How Old Mother Chang Met Jesus and Was Healed!

Come read about Old Mother Chang. These are testimonials written up and contained in tracts handed out by Asia Outreach:

“Where can I Find Dr. Jesus” by Majorie K. Baker

Old Mother Chang lay on her bed wide awake. Light was coming through the narrow window and a rooster crowed in the courtyard outside. Although it was still early, the family had already gone to the fields. The daughter-in-law had first brought a thermos of hot water and left it beside her bed. The mosquito net had been drawn up and tied in a knot over the head of the bed. A bowl of rice gruel with bits of dried pork and pickled vegetable sprinkled on top had been placed on the bamboo side table.

“I have a good daughter-in-law,” Old Mother Chang thought to herself. “When I am gone, my son will be well cared for… and his sons…” Her thoughts trailed off.

For nine years the old woman had sought a cure for her illness, but no doctor could help her.

“She has a brain tumor,” the doctors said. “There is no cure — no hope.” More and more money was spent seeking help in many distant towns, but finally the money was all gone. Despairing, the woman’s family made her as comfortable as possible and then went on with their farm work. It was only occasionally that a kind villager dropped in to visit. Old Mother Chang had saved enough money to buy a coffin and she prepared herself to die.

On this cool summer morning, Old Mother Chang had just finished her rice gruel and was settling back on her pillow to ease the pain in her head. At that very moment she raised her eyes and saw three figures standing just inside the low doorway. One of the three gently asked, “Mother Chang, do you want to be healed?”

Startled, and alarmed at the presence of strangers, the old woman asked the speaker, “Are you a doctor?” There was no reply. Then, encouraged by his kind voice and smile, she answered, “Yes, I want to be healed.”

Then the white-robed figure came over to the bed, bent down, and stroked her aching head. Without knowing just how it was happening, the sick woman felt fluid flowing from her head. Then she felt the large lump being removed. A few quick movements of the stranger’s fingers seemed to close up the opening. Old Mother Chang was suddenly relieved of all pain.

“What is your name, doctor?” she asked.

Her first thought was of repaying this stranger for his kindness.

“My name is Jesus,” He replied. “You can find me in the town.” And with that the three visitors disappeared.

That evening Mother Chang was waiting with eagerness when her family returned from the fields. She sat on her wooden plank bed and talked endlessly about what had happened. But no one believed her.

“She does seem stronger,” her daughter-in-law noticed.

“It is hallucination,” her son insisted.

“Who can believe such a fairy-tale?”

But day after day old Mother Chang grew stronger. Soon she was the first to rise in the morning, boiling the water and sweeping the courtyard before anyone was awake.

Gradually each member of the family recognized the miracle which had taken place.

The event which had seemed too good to be true became known to the whole village. Friends and even strangers stopped at the humble little home to see the old woman with their own eyes and to hear her tell the amazing story.

One bright morning Mother Chang was up earlier than usual. She was feeling fine. “I am going to town,” she declared to her family.

“I am going to find that doctor and thank him for what he did. It is market day in the town and I can easily get a ride.” Tucking some sweet sesame cakes in her basket to give the doctor, she set out on her journey.

In that nearby town, as in most country towns, market day was a high point in the week when farmers came from miles around to sell and trade produce. Tradesmen exhibited a variety of wares – some very appealing to children. On that day a little boy who had grown restless at home was being piloted through the market square by his grandmother. The grandmother had just stopped to allow time for the boy to inspect a display of toys when, turning aside, she noticed an old country woman trying to get her attention. It was Old Mother Chang.

“Please, may I ask a question?” the old woman began. “Where can I find Doctor Jesus?”

“Jesus?” The grandmother repeated the name after her. It was a name she knew very well. “Yes, I know Jesus,” she replied.

Then taking her grandson by the hand, she added, “Come with us. I’ll help you find Jesus.”

And so it was that Old Mother Chang was introduced to a family of believers in Jesus Christ. In a home where Christians gathered to worship, she heard that Jesus was her Savior as well as her Great Physician. When she told the Christians about the Lord’s visit to her sick bed, they marveled and rejoiced with her. They explained the way of salvation by faith and she believed with her whole heart.

It was very late that night before Old Mother Chang could sleep. She had sat on the edge of her bed for hours as she told her family about Dr. Jesus. And this time they believed her. Before long the whole village heard the good news of the Gospel. Christian elders from the town came to teach the new believers. Jesus Himself had come with power into their midst and He was no longer a stranger.