Testimonies
My wife and I were completely caught off guard and requested some time to consider this. After a time of prayer, we decided to consent to the operation. I called my Cell Group leader Lawrence Tan and Pastor Teck Hong requesting for prayers. They immediately rallied the CG and church to pray along with us.
Praise God! The operation was completed successfully. After an 8-day stay in KKH, Joel was discharged on 9th April. Joel’s recovery from the surgery was really quite remarkable as he had gained back all the weight lost all these while. A few days later, the lab test based on the biopsy showed that the tumour is cancerous. The oncologist predicted a 70% recovery if the tumour is treated soon. This includes four rounds of chemo therapy treatment followed by 5-weeks of radiotherapy. We continued to trust God for his healing on Joel. 3 days after discharging from KKH, Joel started his chemo treatment. All these while, my wife and I continued to sense the LORD’s assurance and comfort for us. We were also encouraged by our CG members’ constant help and prayer and were further assured when Senior Pastor declared God’s healing upon Joel.
About two months ago, on 17th Jun, after three rounds of chemo-therapy, the MRI result taken showed that the tumour has shrank about 97% in dimension. With permission from his doctor, Joel was able to return to school on 13th July 2010 – just three and a half months after surgery! This was remarkable given that the doctors had said he would most likely have to suspend his schooling until the end of the year. Joel has just completed his full protocol treatment on 19th August and is now waiting for his next MRI to be scheduled by next month. His doctors, gauging from his progress, are 90% sure of Joel being cured. So, we could expect that the next MRI will most likely show no more tumour in his brain.
After this episode, we have learnt quite a few things:
1. God is our healer! We have experienced it first hand and we continue to trust God to completely heal Joel physically.
2. God has strengthened our faith. We are now much more confident in approaching God to pray and trust Him because He has revealed himself personally to us.
3. God has healed our hearts. Our relationship in the family is stronger now than before the crisis. We love every moment we are together.
4. We saw the love of our CG members who prayed for us and comforted us. They even cooked for Joel during the period when he was in surgery & treatment.
5. Recently our brother-in- Christ, Hock Chye, took leave from his work just to help me send Joel for his medical appointment and for radiotherapy treatment whenever I am not able to do so.
6. Our KFC (Kids for Christ) Ministry is fantastic. Pastor Evelyn mobilized the entire ministry to pray for Joel. His Sunday school teacher, James Wong wrote letters every week to encourage and remind Joel to read the Word of God and trust God for his healing power.
He is truly our all-knowing and powerful God. He is also our merciful heavenly Father. He is and will always be in-control of our lives’ situation as we continue to yield ourselves to Him. I can never thank the LORD enough for His mercy and love towards me and my family. God’s word in Hebrew 13:5 says:
“He will never leave you nor forsake you”
My family is constantly claiming that. God is indeed our healer.