Testimony from "Miracle Boy"

Last month I wrote about a young man in our church who was healed of throat cancer. Last night at our baptism and communion service he spoke to the congregation for the first time since his healing. I want to emphasize that this is not one of those "I know someone who knows someone whose sister heard about" stories. I heard all of this first hand last night from the man it happened to.

A few months ago Dustin was diagnosed with cancer of the throat. He had a growing tumor that eventually closed his esophagus to the point where he could not swallow food or water. The presence of the tumor was confirmed by multiple x-rays and MRI scans. He was put on a feeding tube for nourishment. The treatment plan designed by his doctors included chemo-therapy to be followed by drastic surgery to remove the tumor along with his esophagus and larynx. The doctor planned to build a new esophagus out of tissue from his stomach. Needless to say, Dustin would never speak again.

Our church began praying for Dustin with great intensity. His situation and need were featured on our e-mail prayer chain for many weeks. He was in our second morning service the Sunday (August 24) before his scheduled surgery and received hands-on ministry and prayer for healing.

No specialists were available locally to do this procedure. Dustin went to a facility in a neighboring state for what he expected to be a totally life altering event. Well, it was, but not in the way he thought!

The specialist did final scans which showed the large tumor present in his throat. Nothing had changed. After he was put under anesthesia, Dustin's doctors decided to do one final check before cutting. A camera was inserted in his throat. The doctor could see nothing but some scar tissue. The tumor was gone! Further scans could find no trace of the tumor.

When Dustin woke up he could not feel any scars and thought "oh no, I've woken up before the surgery!" Then his father told him, "son, it's gone!" Dustin ate a steak dinner that night!

Our pastor asked Dustin: "When we prayed for you to be healed, did you believe it would happen?" He answered "Not really, but I believe now!"

I have tried to be restrained in my language and tone in writing this. However, I do not know any other words to describe this than miraculous. Dustin has referred to himself as "Miracle Boy."

I am glad for all the testimonies of healing in our church. Back in July I wrote about a women facing a liver transplant who was healed and told that her liver is now more healthy than that of her doctor. We have seen four people healed of Hepatitis C. But more important, and more miraculous, than those healing stories are the testimonies of those who have found salvation - we have baptized adults every month for about two years (plus a few children of members). We have baptized married couples who have found the Lord together. We also rejoice in the stories of those who have experienced renewal- feeling the presence and love of God for the first time. We rejoice in the marriages saved, the families restored, the lonely ones placed in a church family.

God is good, and it is good to be in a place and among a people where His activity is expected and seen.