Throughout my life, my mother’s harsh criticism and lack of affection, coupled with my severe stutter, led to four suicide attempts. I thought my mother hated me. Only after I was born again at the age of 18 did I understand God’s purpose in my stutter: to inspire others who stutter, raise awareness, and show God’s goodness through my testimony.

Yet, as I neared my 50th birthday while caring for my mother who had been fighting cancer for seven years and was now bedridden by brain metastasis, I found the bravery to inquire why she had never shown pride in me.

“I have always been proud of you,” she replied, “You have accomplished so much.”

Her words healed my heart, answering a longstanding question, even though I had forgiven her long ago. God revealed His love and goodness to me in a profound way that I had never felt before.

Today, I am the founder and chairperson of the Paraguayan Stuttering Association. Because of Haggai, I see opportunities to share my testimony where I did not see them before. The Haggai Leader Experience changed my way of seeing people, to feel deep love for lost souls, and to feel the burning desire to share with them the Good News of God. 

Today, join me in praying for people with physical or sensory disabilities and those living with a condition or syndrome; to be free from ignorance, ridicule, dependency, and exploitation. That we demonstrate to them our capacity to love, understand, and seek social justice for them. To be compassionate and support and love them the way God wants.

Written by Cinthia Hieber
Haggai leader, Paraguay