Earlier this year, I posted and update about my friend Fern that I met at The Well in Bangkok. She graduted from the discipleship program there and then signed up for a DTS (Disciplehip Training School) with YWAM (Youth With A Mission) and has grown so much trough both programs. She is now living her life for the Lord, and doing all that she can to share the good news of Jesus Christ. We are all incredibly proud to see where God has brought her, and honored to withness her life being transformed.
Tonight as I was going through my email, I got an update from Fern. It was not an update that I wanted to hear, in fact, it broke my heart.
Tonight as I was going through my email, I got an update from Fern. It was not an update that I wanted to hear, in fact, it broke my heart.Apparently Fern had been suffering with a lot of headaches and other pain throughout her DTS, and they have only gotten worse since she returned to Bangkok. She also began to have vision problems and was unable to taste her food or keep it down. A visit to the doctor brought very discouraging news. Fern had a tumor in her brain, and it was cancerous.
God has provided for her medical expenses through a loan that her boyfriend was able to arrange, but now they will have a huge debt to pay off over the next few years. Debt is a very dangerous thing in countries like Thailand, because of the prevelance of slavery and debt bondage.
It sounds like the tumor and cancer is gone after the radiation, but they are saying it is 90% likely that it will return within 3 years. Fern is still very sick from the radiation and still unable to eat properly or work. She still has a very long road of recovery according to natural process. The good news is that we all believe in a supernatural God that still heals the sick.
Fern has a lot of her friends from AIM and from YWAM praying for her, but she could always use a lot more. Her boyfriend is not a believer, but he is praying to God for Fern’s healing and praying that if she is healed that he will know that Jesus is real. That may sound offensive to some people, to challange God that way, but I believe that God is gracious and would love to use this difficult time to reveal Himself to a desperate man.
Please pray for Fern and for O, that God will redeem and restore what the enemy means to use for destruction. I believe that our prayers make a difference. Please pray in agreement with me for Fern’s health and for O’s salvation.
Father God, you have shown your love for Fern in so many ways already. Lord, you have already delivered her from death twice, and you have made her a light in the dark places of SE Asia. I believe that you have a great calling for her life, and that you will use her to bring your Kingdom through her. Lord, I know that you use all things for the good of those who love you, who are called for your purposes. I believe that Fern is called for your purposes, and I believe that you will redeem this cancer and sickness and use it for good. I believe that you will bless her abundantly in return for her suffering. I also know that as your disciples, we are called to suffering. You say that we will have our own cross to carry Lord as we follow you. God I pray that in this suffering that Fern is able to indentify with your suffering in a way that brings her to a deeper intimacy with you that she would not have known otherwise. I pray that her life will be a great inspiration to those around her that do not know you and who do not have your hope. Jesus, let them see you in her. I pray that O’s prayer would come to pass. That you will heal Fern, that you will deliver her from this cancer, and that O will know you as his saviour and Lord. Father I pray for your blessings to be upon them, and that your favour would be granted to them. Lord open the doors for financial provision to pay off this large loan. Deliver then from the bondage of debt so that they may not become ensnared by it. I know that you own everything is this world, and that you can give it to or take it from whom you choose. Lord I pray that you will bless them with a financial gift that will relieve them from this debt and show them your great love and mercy. Thank you Lord that you are good and that you are faithful, and that those who put their faith in you will not be disappointed. Amen.
