United in Faith

Joel, an OFW band artist in Shenzhen suddenly felt intense chest pain on August 5 so his friend rushed him to the nearest hospital where he was confined in ICU for several days and subsequently diagnosed with a heart problem that needed immediate surgery. However, being relatively new in his job, he is without any financial capability to support his astronomically-high two-part surgery to literally extend his life. His kind employer offered to shoulder a large part of the cost but the balance is still beyond his means. And so, his kind-hearted friend, who has been taking care of him ever since, make the desperate yet humble move to reach out for help to one of the Pinoy she met before in the Philippine Consulate.

Before everyone knew it, the prayer and donation campaign has started. Small groups, and friends of friend of friends of this small group started to give their individual support in whatever simple way they can. Some are campaigning persistently and liaised with consulate officials who promised to extend assistance in the coming days, some people donated outright, and most have offered prayers.

During these few days, I can’t help but recall the biblical story of the paralytic man who was bodily-lifted by his friends to be healed by Jesus.

Matthew 9:2 reads, “And behold they brought to him one sick of the palsy lying in a bed. And Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the man sick of the palsy, “Be of good heart, son, your sins are forgiven.”

Seeing their faith.

It’s a humbling revelation that when humanity unites for a Godly purpose, God who sees this collective faith, in addition to the faith of the ailing individual, hears and answers their prayers.

Joel’s first-part operation last Friday was a success and his second operation will be this coming Wednesday, Aug. 24. You too can be a part of this unity in faith.

Please offer a short prayer for Joel Oliva.

PS.

Another former OFW in China is also battling his stage 3 cancer in Philippines. His name is Ben Ducusin.

Please include him and his family in your prayers, too.

God bless us all.

(originally posted on August 22, 2011)