FAITH & MIRACLES
Story by Drea Frondorf • Laura McBryde Photography
FEATURE
Barbara Mims
“God
NEVER PROMISED THINGS WOULD
NEVER GET ROUGH; BUT HE DOES
THAT HE’S THERE FOR US.
“
Even though she relapsed one more time after that en-
as her body was too diseased and dilapidating. It was at
Barbara exclaims, “God’s love is so amazing and I love
counter with God, she eventually was able to completely
this point the doctors believed there was nothing more
Him so much! Every time He has told me something, no
give up her addiction, without any rehabilitation. She
medically that could be done. They ordered hospice and
matter what is happening around me, I’ve learned that
attributes that miracle to God’s love and grace, and how
were prepared for making her as comfortable as possi-
if I just listen, it will all work out to perfection just like
good He has been to her!
ble until her body would eventually give out.
He said it would. God never said that things would never
get rough, but He does promise He is there for us. I am
Her struggles weren’t over yet. In 2002, Barbara faced
Even though the doctors had given up on her health,
a new challenge when she was diagnosed with Hepatitis
Barbara believed that her faith “only as small as the size
C. This is an incurable virus the doctors weren’t sure how
of a mustard seed” would be enough, it would be her
Barbara believes and speaks that if we trust God with
she contracted, due to the facts that she had surgeries
saving grace. She sent away the hospice nurse, told her
our circumstances, He will make us almost oblivious to
and a drug addiction. Even though she went through
to go home with someone who really needed them and
what the world is telling us. She has a faith that can
a medication study and treatment, it provided no
believed that God told her she would be alright. She had
move mountains! As she has experienced the reality of
benefit for her sick body.
faith that superseded reality!
miracles, she lives a life of taking nothing for granted,
The virus caused many
truly blessed!”
especially each and every breath she inhales and ex-
secondary illnesses, including sepsis, which resulted in
The Bible verse “I can do all things through Christ
a hospital stay for three weeks. She was on an oxygen
who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13) kept Barba-
tank around the clock and had to maintain that for two
ra going strong. In only six months, she was healthy
years. It was then that Barbara began to “seek God like
enough to have a liver transplant and her life took a
people. For anyone who doesn’t know Jesus personal-
never before for help.” Once again, she heard from God
turn for the better. Since her “death sentence” in 2011,
ly, I would urge them to get to know Him. No one has
and He told her that she wouldn’t be completely healed
Barbara is stronger and healthier than ever. She no
to be all put together into a nice, neat little package
but that she was going to be alright. Barbara believed
longer has a hole in her heart, her transplant was suc-
for Jesus to love them. Just seek Him. He loves putting
and kept her faith, even though seven months later she
cessful, she does not need an oxygen tank. Not only that,
broken lives together. To God be all the honor, praise
was hospitalized with pneumonia.
Barbara’s heart, lungs and kidneys are functioning prop-
and glory!”
At this point, Barbara faced a 45-day stay in the
erly AND she no longer has the Hepititis C virus. Barbara
hospital, where she had to continue with the oxygen
exemplifies the power of hope, faith and m