Our conversation gradually drifted to the topic of religion and Jesus Christ. Stefan asked me, "John, do you believe that miracles can occur through prayer?" I answered: "Yes, I have quite often seen cases of miraculous healing". I told him about 23 year-old Shailamma, who was born deaf and dumb and who was healed through prayer and was able to hear and speak and came forward to give her witness. I asked Stefan. "Do you believe in miracles?" Stefan replied, "Yes". "Perhaps it was through some physical healing, wasn’t it? " I went on. "Yes," said Stefan and continued: "In 1983 when I was just 11 years old, I was almost run over by a car on my way to school. My left leg beneath the knee was broken and one bone shattered into bits. The terrible blow I received on my head injured my brain. For two weeks I was in the dark room. When my leg was operated on, four nerves were injured. For the surgery after two months, a piece of bone from my thigh was taken to close the gap on the bone. Yet walking was difficult. For months I moved about on the wheelchair. Because of brain injury, I could not concentrate on anything for long. Since I took some medicine for the bone to be welded together and be strengthened, the broken leg became one centimeter and a half longer than the other after the treatment.

"Since the four nerves would not work in co-ordination with each other, the left leg had not enough strength. I often suffered pain on the whole body. Most of the time I had to lie down and take rest. Every month I consumed about 5000 Belgian franc (Rs 6000) worth of tablets. It was with great difficulty that I continued my studies. Though I was born in a Christian family, I had never known Jesus as the healer. In July 1997 at a prayer meeting, I got the grace to know Jesus better. Some told me that Jesus would heal my leg. I could not then believe it. But in September the same year the prayer group members placed their hands over me and prayed. I felt something happening to me. My legs became the same length. The knotted, injured and numb nerves and muscles relaxed and regained their former form. I felt not only my legs but my whole body getting strengthened. From then on I have never had to take any medicine.

"Though I was healed physically, the long 14 years of an invalid’s life had taken toll of my mental state. Gradually Jesus gave me inner healing and the feeling that I was ill, that I couldn’t do or achieve anything, left me. I was also freed from the fear that possessed me when I saw any vehicle and prevented me from trying for a driving license."

I asked: "There are numerous young people in Europe who do not believe in Jesus. Do you do anything to bring them to the joy that Jesus gives?" Said Stefan: "Yes, I was able to bring Muniya, an adopted girl from India to the experience of God’s love and to Christian fellowship. I have spoken of the healing I received to very many people." I further enquired: "What do you feel when you remember the accident and the time when you were ill?"

Stefan’s reply was: "I thank God. Perhaps it was that accident that helped to come to know Jesus personally."