|
Dear Brothers and
Sisters in Lord,
As I sit at the feet
of our Master with this testimony, I pray that our Lord guide
each one of you accordingly and know Him closely. As a person
who never believed in the existence of God, it was in 2003 that
I first heard about Jesus. While in grade 3 as a junior student
in the University, my daughter had then accepted Christ. As she
shared about God and His creation, at first I began to reprimand
her. I did not like the idea of worshipping any god other than
the ancestral Chinese gods we had believed in and were told
about. As times passed by, though with great hesitation, the
thirst to know more about Jesus also increased. God helped us
more to know more truths about the gospel. This gradually
evinced a keen interest in me to read the Bible which is the
“WORD OF GOD.” I started praying together with my daughter. All
I knew then was believing in God is good enough but I was far
away from what it exactly meant to be called, ‘BEING SAVED.’
Many times, the
situations in our daily lives make it difficult for us to face
the tough storms and waves. As days, months and years passed by
along with my family, I had to go through the hardest times.
During such struggling times, a mole on my left breast caused me
great discomfort, both physically and mentally. With a feeling
of uneasiness surrounding me, I decided to go to the hospital
for a medical check up. I was in for a great shock when the
doctors diagnosed me with breast cancer and that I had to be
operated immediately. I refused to believe at first as anyone
else in my situation would do. My first reaction was that
perhaps the doctors were wrong. I was not ready to accept
anything with the word ‘cancer.’ And so, I did not follow the
doctor’s instructions.
During the labor
holidays we have in China, in the first week of May 2007, along
with my husband, I went to another province to visit our only
daughter to help her set up her home. Having heard of the
specialist doctors known well for diagnosing cases of cancer, we
decided to meet the doctors there in the town that she lives.
With my entire positive mind, little did I expect that the
results would be again the same! I again went through the same
ordeal that I had before. I was asked to stay at the hospital
and undergo an operation even though as I insisted that the lump
I had was just the beginning and not cancer. It was hard for me
to believe this reality until I found myself lying on the
operation table ready to be operated. The doctors as a specimen
cut a small part of my breast to have it tested. The results
once again, tested positive as CANCER as it only added to my
fears. My left breast had to be completely removed as it made me
realize the severity of the situation. Again, not having heard
of any cure for cancer, fear gripped me more with the thought
that I will be dying soon because I cannot be healed. I began
accepting the fact that cancer was defeating me in this life’s
battle. With nausea and the incredible pain I went through,
words couldn’t explain my situation. I was down to nothing as I
could not bear it any more. Given the choice to live or die, I
preferred the latter as I felt rejected and dejected. I was no
more interested to live anymore. After the operation, my mind
was filled with questions. Why did this happen to me? What wrong
have I done? Why did I have to suffer so much? As I struggled in
despair, I didn’t respond to my family member’s love nor did I
then return back the love they showed me.
In the past, on
hearing someone with cancer, it was just like a story to me
because neither I nor my family members had been through it. But
cancer having caught up with me, it seemed as if death was
waiting at the door for me. I began to accept the fact that the
end of cancer is to die in pain. To add to my woes, I was unable
to even eat or sleep. Accepting death as very close, I knelt
down beside my bed, praying to God with a heart full of
repentance. I asked God to forgive me for all the pride that I
had in the past and for not having come to know and trust God. I
told God that now with death imminent; it was too late to ask
forgiveness and peace in my heart. But Lord, I asked: “What
wrong on earth did I do to have this cancer?”
It was when I was
struggling in this darkness and pain, God sent me a brother from
India who has been serving the Lord in this land along with his
family. He along with another servant of God from South Africa
comforted me by encouraging me from the word of God not to be
afraid for God loves us. I was strengthened by the words from
Psalms 23: 4 “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I
fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and staff – they
comfort me.” As I read this word and later prayed with the
servant from South Africa, my frozen heart began to melt. I was
strengthened by the words of God that He is with me and in me
and will never abandon me irrespective of the difficult time I
would be going through. I didn’t fear any more for the joy of
the Lord is my strength..
On a weekend, before I
could be operated on a Tuesday, the Indian brother and his
family, the servant from South Africa and my daughter visited me
on a Saturday. As we spoke, this brother from India asked me,
what I had to say. I cried bitterly. I regretted for not having
known the Lord before and not having depended on Him before. A
doubt again came to my mind: “Can God still help me?” The Spirit
filled words of these servants touched and comforted me once
again. The South African servant explained to me about baptism
and that, “If you trust God completely, depend on Him alone, God
will save you in His power.” Every brother and sister in the
whole church - the body of Christ, had been praying for me
united and in one accord because of the love of Jesus. The
Indian brother made it clear that this sickness was from Satan
to create havoc in my life and that God loves me with a 100
percent love – a complete love. The words he spoke further
encouraged me more that God had chosen me to be admitted in the
hospital to spread the good news and for His glory. God promises
us to save us. He is known for His faithfulness and
righteousness. He never abandons or gives up His children.
Again, if the blind could see, if the paralytic could walk, the
leper be healed, if the dead be raised to life – all this in
God’s great power, God can heal me too!! So, God through His son
Jesus’ blood has covered me so that I can be healed. When asked
if I believed in these words and promises, I answered with a
firm, ‘YES.’ These servants of God, prayed for me earnestly. At
this same moment, as the prayers were over with an ‘AMEN’, the
intra venous injection that was been given to me also finished.
The servant from India said, “Believe, that you are now healed.
You do not need this drip any more.” I cried with joy for the
wonderful work of the Lord that I experienced. Oh, Praise His
Holy name!!!!
In the past, I
respected God but now, I thank Him more every moment. His deep
love touched me as I see the hope I have in my life. Yes,
Hebrews 13: 8 says, ‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today
and forever.’ The God we serve never changes. (Numbers 23: 19)
As the Indian brother, his family and the servant from South
Africa came to visit me for the second time; I was refreshed and
filled with the presence of the Holy Spirit. There was a joy in
me as I told them: “Thank God, I’m healed. I was touched by
their real and deep love for God. They used to visit me every
week without fail to pray together. I thanked God for all the
brothers and sisters who came to visit me whilst in hospital as
they too prayed and encouraged me when I needed help. Galatians
6: 2 says, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will
fulfill the law of Christ.” Yes, God sent His angels and
servants to help me overcome the difficult times and be bold and
experience God. I continued reading the Bible everyday and
praying with a thankful heart. God granted me the boldness and
strength in the hospital itself to share and with the other
patients, witnessing what it meant to me to be calling the
“CREATOR” and being “SAVED BY GOD”. I started evangelizing daily
to each and every one who came across my life. I remember many
patients asking me questions like: “Are you alive?” Did the
doctors tell you how long you would live?” “When will you die?”
Later, as I was to leave the hospital, the doctors reminded me
to have chemo therapy or else the danger of the cancer cells
that would spread quickly to the whole body. As this point, as
the devil again started bringing in doubts, despair, and fear,
God sent His servant again to me. The Indian brother reminded
and encouraged me to have complete 100 percent faith in God and
to believe in God’s power and promises. The firm words that God
is able to heal without any chemo therapy increased my faith.
Yes, all that God expects us is to have FAITH as small as a
mustard seed. (Matthew 17: 20 & 21).The bible speaks of about
‘YOUR FAITH.’ God expects us to move forward with the measure of
faith in us. In order to enhance my faith, this brother invited
me along with my family to his apartments as they spent time
praying with us and for 2 days. I believe that it is God’s love
in them that they did not want me to be destroyed by chemo
therapy. Throughout the Bible, our Lord expects each one of us
to LOVE ONE ANOTHER. That is the greatest commandment. This
great faith, trusting and depending on God at all times had now
healed me completely. I am healed by His stripes. I am healed by
the blood of Jesus!!!
I believe God who has
called me with a hope and direction in my life, has a great
purpose for me. Encouraged, strengthened, by the love of God, I
have committed my life to serve Him all my life and to glorify
His Holy name.
KANGLAN PING |
