Beaches Chapel Church
For the past two years I had been
experiencing physical symptoms that caused great discomfort in what I
thought was my lower intestines. There were many accompanying
challenges of severe fatigue, digestive problems, lower back pain and a
general sense of not feeling good even after a good night’s rest. I
personally thought it must be part of getting older. I really wasn’t
sure, because I really tried to watch my diet, exercise and do things I
knew were healthy at my age.
However, I went in for a routine
physical and Pap smear and the situation proved quite different. Within
a matter of moments the doctor, after hearing my symptoms and doing a
routine pap smear, ordered an internal and external ultrasound series of
x-rays. Several x-rays were taken from many different angles internally
and externally. They all revealed exactly the same thing, which was a
black mass 3.2mm over the area where my left ovary should be. The left
ovary was not even visible.
Immediately the doctor ordered an extensive blood workup, which included the CA125 to determine possible ovarian cancer. My thoughts, of course, were racing but I have experienced the power and faithfulness of God my entire life to carry me through extremely difficult circumstances. I also knew turning to Him in prayer and resting in His great Grace to carry me through was the solution. The following morning I informed our Pastor, Steve McCoy. And, as in so many situations through the years he prayed the prayer of agreement for God’s promises in His Word to be revealed through me. He also prayed that what the devil had meant for evil, God would turn to my good and His Glory. And that is exactly what happened.
The first miracle was the CA125 blood
test for cancer came back completely clear. Then I went back for my
second series of ultrasound x-rays and the black mass that was revealed
by the original x-ray pictures not only was completely gone, but all the
x-rays revealed a normal, healthy left ovary in the exact spot.
When I asked the doctor what she felt
the explanation was, she replied “There is no explanation except the
power of God in prayer.” I asked her permission to quote her and also
to take the original x-rays to show my pastor. The x-rays are shown
here.
1 Corinthians 2:9 says “That is what
is meant by the Scriptures which say that no mere man has ever seen,
heard, or even imagined what wonderful things God has ready for those
who love the Lord.”
We give God all the honor and all the glory for the wonderful things He has done for us!
Fall 2003
Dear Pastor Steve:
Something wonderful has happened and I wanted to share it with you. Last
week I went to Home Depot on my lunch hour. This normally isn't
something out of the ordinary as it's only minutes from my office and I
love to wonder in the flowers. But this time of the year its usually
too hot for me to wander. Anyway, I was there wandering. I came across
a couple, and I started a brief conversation with them. As I turned
around to walk away, I realized there was something about the man that
drew me back to him. I turned back to him and asked him his name.
Pastor Steve, this man is my brother. I have not seen him in 17
years!!! If you remember my past, when I pressed charges against my
adoptive father, (we'll call him GW), my brother took his side. Even
though I knew he was abused as well, I could not understand WHY he
defended him. My mother passed away shortly after GW was incarcerated
and I never saw my brother again. Understand I did not see him before
that time either. When I left my parents house at the age of 19 - I
NEVER WENT BACK!! Anyway, here we are in the middle of Home Depot crying
and talking. He shared with me the promise that he made our mother when
the arrest and the trial started, that he would protect and take care of
GW until he died, fully knowing that he would be isolating himself from
the remainder of this dysfunctional family.
Pastor Steve, the reason I am sharing this
with you is the overflowing joy that I have. I feel like the prodigal
father. I am so overjoyed that I have my brother back in my life. I
want you to know that I credit Beaches Chapel for teaching me the
ability to let go of my past and to live my life "Loved". My brother
would have never approached me, had I not approached him first. He is so
full of guilt, remorse and emptiness at the years that had gone by
without being a part of "our family". It felt so good to hug him and
tell him that all that did not matter anymore, that the past is over and
we have many Birthdays, Holidays, and family days ahead of us.
Pastor Steve, we love you and we are so
thankful for Beaches Chapel.
Pam Ferrelli