During her discipleship in the East African country of South Sudan years ago, retired military member Carolyn Figlioli learned that God desires obedience over sacrifice.
"I really believe in the Scripture that the Lord desires obedience over sacrifice," she told Sondra Martin Hicks during a recent episode of "The Sondra Heartstone Show" on Brighteon.TV.
Figlioli recounted how she was called by the Lord to continue her discipleship and raise up people in the Word of God in war-stricken South Sudan. She obeyed His call and subsequently saw a lot of miracles transpire – feeding almost 200 South Sudanese children and staff members of Iris Global Ministries in the country, which she heads.
The children they fed later managed to receive an education in various universities and trade schools. "Our kids are all going to be first-generation university and trade school kids," she said.
It all started at the onset of the Second Sudanese Civil War in 2013. She decided to donate 90 percent of all her dry food stocks – originally dedicated to the 150 children and Iris Ministries staff under her purview – to refugees from another tribe.
"The humanitarian aid workers were no longer there. There was nobody around to help anybody. The borders were shut so food wasn't coming across the border from Uganda," she recounted. Originally, Figlioli pledged only 10 percent of whatever she had saved.
"I heard in my spirit and I knew it was the Lord. He said: 'Why don't you give 90 percent and see what I can do with the 10 percent?' I didn't even think about it very long."
As soon as they watched the bulk of their food stocks sent to the refugees, miracles started happening.
"We had a borehole and we're in the dry season in February so it hasn't rained in three months and everybody protects their water because it's just the trickle. And a maintenance guy came yelling, saying that we had too much water," she said. They were also blessed with livestock.
"I always tell my kids, you can't help everybody, but you can help somebody. And so you have a responsibility to help at least somebody."
Figlioli: God is the Ultimate Provider and Healer
Figlioli went on to testify how God provides for one a 16-year-old boy under her care. Last year, she noticed he was always looking tired and just quit playing soccer. She knew something was not right.
The first two doctors could not find anything wrong with him because he ate well and there's nothing visibly different. The third doctor immediately sent them to the Heart Institute because the boy had rheumatic heart disease.
"His valve should have been opened to 2.5 centimeters (cm) but they found it was only open at 0.08 cm. If we have not found it, he would have just died," Figlioli shared, adding that something kept nudging her not to quit and find out what's wrong.
"We were pointed to the number one heart surgeon in Uganda, who was able to put a little balloon in his heart. Now, this kid is playing soccer again," she said.
According to the doctor, he might need the same surgery 10 years from now. But Figlioli is positive, standing in complete faith that with the healthiest diet ever and faith that God will heal him, he would not have to go under the knife again. (Related: Reverse and prevent heart disease with diet.)
"I believe with all of my heart that his heart valve is going to be totally restored and renewed. I just refuse to believe anything else," she said.
Check Awakening.news for more stories about how God touches people to make a difference in others' lives.
Watch the full Oct. 17 episode of "The Sondra Heartstone Show" featuring Carolyn Figlioli below. Catch new episodes of the program every Monday on Brighteon.TV.
More related stories:
South Sudan youth urged to focus on farming to alleviate food crisis.
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