Two weeks after our return from this holiday my husband Tony was not keeping too well, so we took him to the local doctor, who ordered some tests to be done. A week later we had the results and our doctor suggested that it might be a cyst on the brain, and sent us to see a neurologist. The specialist’s appointment was on the 15 February ‘99. During this time my husband’s condition deteriorated.

The specialist informed us that Tony was in a critical condition and would have to be admitted in the hospital immediately. He had a cyst on his brain, and as a result of this the fluid in his brain was not flowing normally. This built-up fluid was causing pressure on his brain resulting in loss of memory, this being the only symptom he had.

Even though we were very concerned about his condition, we did not lose our faith. We prayed and said, "Lord we place Tony in your hands in total surrender. Whatever is your will, let it be done, only give me and my sons the courage to cope with it. Lord in our weakness you are our strength."

The week before the operation there were many obstacles, but I tell you it was our constant prayer and the prayer from all our family and friends in Sydney, Melbourne, India and even the prayer tower at Potta and trust in the Lord that carried us through those trying and difficult times. God gave us so much of courage and strength. I want to praise and thank the Lord for this amazing grace, and also to thank our family and friends who prayed in a special way for Tony.

The operation was fixed for 23rd February ‘99. We thought after the operation everything would be restored to normal, but it was not to be. We had a few more trials to endure. Soon after the operation my husband had a seizure, the doctors suspected that there might be hemorrhaging in the brain, and he was rushed off to have a scan taken. But once again it was the mighty hand of the Lord at work and by God’s mercy the scan taken was clear. Two days later it was found that all his blood levels were out of proportion and as a result of this Tony could not keep his eyes open even for a few seconds; neither could he eat nor drink anything. Again we turned to the Lord in prayer, placing the whole situation in the Lord’s hands. From the Bible I got this message on that day Is 43: "Do not fear I am with you always, I will never forsake you". On the 4th day after the operation, by God’s grace and mercy his blood levels started coming back to normal and he began eating and drinking gradually, and also started walking slowly by himself. A week later, just when we thought everything was going smoothly, the doctors told us that the fluid build-up before the operation had not reduced and if this did not go down they might have to do another small operation and put a permanent drainage in his brain. At this stage we still persisted in our prayer and continued to trust in the Almighty, confident that his glory would be manifest to all around us by his marvellous works and mighty deeds.When reading the Bible that day, it was as if the Lord were telling me in Heb 10:35-36, "Do not abandon that confidence of yours, it brings great rewards, for you need endurance. So that when you have done the will of God you may receive what he has promised".

A week later another scan was ordered, and to the surprise of the doctors, it revealed that there was a significant reduction in the fluid in Tony’s brain. This meant that there was no need for another operation. I can’t tell you how happy my family and I were and at once we began to praise and thank the Lord for all his goodness and mercies shown towards us. What a mighty God we serve!.

After the operation my husband was not able to walk properly, his eyes were not focusing correctly, and he could not feed himself. But slowly everything returned to normal. If these were not the wondrous works of the almighty, what else were they? In Ps 77:13-14 we read, "Your way O God is Holy. What God is so great as our God? You are the God who works wonders, you have displayed your might among the people". In all these instances we can see God’s glory manifest in his wonderful works.

My husband is now back home recovering very well by the grace of the Almighty. My husband, my two sons and I want to praise and thank God for all his graces and mercies shown towards us and for being our strength. I would also like to add that it was the grace, direction and inspiration we received when we were at the Divine Retreat Centre that were our constant help during the time of our trial. Once again, I would like to say Praise you Jesus, and thank you Jesus, and will continue to sing the praises and glory of God all the days of my life.

Those of you who are wearied and heavily burdened, know that we serve a loving and compassionate God, who is always with us, especially in times when everything else fails. But Jesus Never Fails. So never give up, even when things seem hopeless. Hold on to his hand firmly in your weakness. That’s when he is very strong. Praise and thank you Lord Jesus!