Prayer Firewall

A Celebration of David's Life

2006-11-20T11:17:00.000+11:00

Dear friends,

At 1:24pm on Saturday 18th November, 2006 David went home to be with the Lord.

This came as a great shock to many of us. We loved David and many around the world were praying in full faith for his recovery. The family were with him, singing with him on several occasions over the past week. The presence of the Lord was very beautiful. He regained consciousness for a short period just before his passing and each one of the family spoke special words to him and he was able to respond to each one.

The celebration of David's life will be held at the Evangelical Community Church, 19-23 Holland Road, Blackburn South, Melbourne on Friday 24th November at 11:00am for the viewing and 11:30am for the service followed by a luncheon.

We would appreciate your continual prayers for the family at this time. We are gathering forces to continue the vision of OBC worldwide - The Online Bible College.

With our special thanks and appreciation,

Paul and Bunty and Rebecca,
Elena, Jessica, Stephanie and Jordan.

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Update on David

2006-11-02T16:30:00.000+11:00

We so appreciate your faithful prayers on David's behalf. He has begun a mild chemo. Though his energy levels are low he is eating some solids and is slowly gaining in strength. Please pray especially that his energy will continue to increase day by day.

The recent scan he had showed that the cancer had not grown or spread since the last scan (about 3 months ago) so we praise the Lord for that. We believe it is because of all the prayers that are going up to the Lord for him.

We are believing the cancer will now DECREASE! We are fully assured of the faithfulness of God!

With many thanks for your faith and prayers,

Paul and Bunty

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Further update on David

2006-10-18T15:42:00.000+10:00

The following information was related by Bunty.

David saw his oncologist yesterday. Based on scans taken last week, the cancer has not progressed or spread. David will commence palliative chemotherapy next week. The oncologist was candid about David's prognosis and said that the chemotherapy will buy him a bit more time.

Bunty asks that we pray especially for David's energy level to improve. He has started eating some solids again, but will need a lot more energy to face chemotherapy again.

Please keep praying.

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Update on David

2006-10-16T12:02:00.000+10:00

David has been very unwell the last week or so. He has, however, not needed adminsitration to hospital and is resting at home. Some investgative scans were done last Friday. Bunty & David will be meeting with his oncologist tomorrow (Tuesday) to determine if he requires palliative chemotherapy.

I will try to keep everyone posted on this blog.

Please continue to pray.

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Miraculous Update

2006-09-08T06:00:00.000+10:00

I've just posted in "The Journey" a testimony of what God has done for me in the last 24 hours (see "The Cords of Death"). I encourage you to read this, when you are able.

I'm overwhelmed by the grace, mercy and love of the Lord toward me. And so, so grateful for your prayers. Thank you for sticking with me in faith, during the difficult times. Our God is faithful!

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST

2006-09-06T15:02:00.000+10:00

Just received a call from Pastor Joseph Teo - there's been a downturn in David's condition. He is apparently not responding to the steroid treatment and it sounds like he's experiencing adverse effects from it. I will update on this blog as soon as I have spoken to David's direct family and have more reliable information.

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Discharged from hospital yesterday

2006-09-06T14:02:00.000+10:00

David was discharged yesterday and is now resting at home, trying to recoup some of that lost sleep that came with being a hospital inpatient. The vomiting has settled and he is back onto soft diet.

Paul and Bunty (David's parents) request that we pray with full expectancy that the Lord heals David completely. We have had a series of minor breakthroughs, but our eyes and our prayers must focus now on major breakthroughs.

"With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles." Chronicles 32:8

Thanks again for standing and praying with David and his family.

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A brief update

2006-09-04T22:43:00.000+10:00

David may be discharged from hospital tomorrow. Please pray that things continue to be stable overnight so David can go home...

"And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven."James 5:15

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Know therefore that the LORD your God is God...

2006-09-02T20:25:00.000+10:00

Bunty spent last night in the hospital with David, and she said he rested well. When the doctors saw him during their round this morning, they were pleased with his progress and started him back on oral fluids. David started taking fluids gradually and was even able to tolerate jelly. But he drank some lemon cordial, thinking it was lemonade (David actually finds fizzy drinks easier to swallow), and again vomited violently. When I went to the hospital at about 4.30pm, he had just settled and was sound asleep. His dad, Paul, just flew in from Newcastle this morning was also asleep on the reclining couch. Bunty said David was disappointed at this turn of event as he was really starting to feel so much better and hoping to be discharged very soon...

The surgeons haven't been to see David yet, so Bunty asked if we could continue to pray that David will not need any surgery.

"Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands." Deuteronomy 7:9

PS: Seeing Bunty and Paul by their son's bedside tirelessly loving him, supporting him and protecting him, makes tomorrow - Fathers' Day - all the more poignant. If we as earthly parents are capable of loving our children so so so much, how incomprehensibly much much more is our Father in Heaven able to love us...

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God wants us to leave it up to Him to fullfill His promises!

2006-09-01T14:40:00.000+10:00

I went to see David just after noon today.

Despite having been admitted with violent vomiting a couple of days ago, and the fact that the vomiting is still not fully under control, I thought he looked really rather good - his cheeks sunken, but still rosy, and his speech still clear. He was certainly alert even after my coming into his hospital room rouse him & Bunty from their snooze.

Not wanting to disturb him, Bunty and I whispered to and fro about what's been happening. But David, with his eyes closed looking like he's sleeping, interjected to clarify points in our conversation. Even though I told him to keep quiet and go back to sleep, I was actually secretly glad that his alertness has not diminished.

Apparently, David's oncologist was at the ward round this morning and said the cancer has wrapped itself around the colon thus causing the blockages. David is now on dexamethasone (a corticosteroid) to reduce the inflammation which in turn will hopefully reduce the blockage.

Bunty asked us to all pray fervently for David. She was comforted this morning by the Lord who said He has promised and He will fullfill. The Lord wants us to leave everything up to Him to fullfill His promises! Bunty wanted one thing to be clear though - this is not about leaving everything to God no matter what happens, but rather, this is a positive reassurance from God that HE WILL FULLFILL.

Bunty also asked us to pray that the Lord will intervene when the surgeons come to assess David this afternoon. The family does not want David to have any invasive therapy at this stage.

On behalf of David and his family, I thank you for praying so faithfully for and with him. Yours is a true faith in action!

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David in hospital...

2006-08-31T21:20:00.000+10:00

David was admitted into hospital yesterday with uncontrolled vomiting. Praise God that this has settled somewhat. David said the doctors are considering the possibility of palliative chemotherapy.

Please pray for peace and strength for David, Elena, the children and the rest of the family. Please pray for wisdom for David's doctors and care team at the hospital that they would make right decisions regarding care and treatment. Above all, please pray that God be glorified and magnified through this and everything else that happens in our lives!

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Daivid is back at home...

2006-08-11T10:15:00.000+10:00

David was discharged yesterday from hospital. Barium meal test revealed the blockage this time is at the duodenal-jejunal junction (ie in the small intestine). Reasons for the blocakge could be several and a number of strategies have been put in palce to help reduce the incidence and severity of these episodes.

Further diet modification
Changing his analegesic to another opiate that is less constipating

The good news is - other than the blockages, David's blood tests were all clear and showing no deficinecies despite adequate food intake being a regularly challenging issue. Please pray that David will be very diligent in following his doctors' and dietitian's...and Elena's instructions!

Welcome home David! We are all praying for you!

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David is in hospital again...

2006-08-10T01:13:00.000+10:00

David was admitted to the Box Hill Hospital again on Monday 7 August following only less than 3 days at home.

The situation with the 'blockage' recurred and his doctors have been carrying out investiations to ascertain cause. The blockage has again resolved spontaneously (David mused that his pain eased and all symptoms subsided just as the doctor and nurses were examining him! Drats!)) so David may be dischaged on Friday 11 August if his tests do not reveal anything too untoward.

I spoke to David just now on the phone and he is asking that we pray that his doctors will be able to determine the exact cause of this recurring blockage and treat/manage accordingly. David continues to require regular plus breakthrough doses of opiate for his pain, so please also pray that the constipating effect of opiate does not exacerbate his situation. We ask the Lord earnestly that He holds David ever so tightly in His arms whenever the pain comes, and conforts David ever so gently as He assures him of His promises every day!

'In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul.' Psalms 94:19

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Testimony to God's Amazing Grace

2006-08-04T00:14:00.000+10:00

As you will be aware from my previous post, I was admitted to hospital (despite my earnest desire to avoid it at all costs!) a week ago today. As it turned out, the reason was that I had been trialing a new liquid laxative (anyone who has had experience with stomach or bowel cancer knows that constipation is a major difficulty, and this is further compounded by the constipative side-effects of analgesics such as oxycontin and endone).

Well, I had a severely bad reaction to the laxative -- serious inflamation of the bowels -- and this is what sent me to hospital in quite excruciating pain and feverish discomfort. But this time was different from the previous two admissions - I had a quiet confidence that God was with me and I knew that He would pull me through.

And this is exactly what happened. X-rays revealed that the obstruction and inflamation, while serious, didn't require surgical intervention (which was my primary concern), and so I simply fasted until the blockage was resolved naturally. Within three days, I was on my feet again and ready to return home.

I'm so grateful to the Lord's help during this trying time. His grace truly is amazing, as the song goes, and my heart overflows with gratitude to him. After all, I deserve nothing (isn't that the meaning of "grace"?), and yet the Lord loves me and ministers to me all the same.

I also want to share some other good news. Last week I underwent another CT scan and blood tests. Both came back with good results. The cancer hasn't spread to other organs in my body (one concern was that it may have spread to my brain), and although my upper colon now shows some thickening of the walls (previously it was just my stomach), the cancer has advanced hardly at all.

On top of this, I just had some blood tests done. My doctor was concerned that, due to poor digestion in my stomach, I may not be getting vitamin B12, and may also be deficient in other nutrients/minerals/trace elements. If so, I would need to get regular B12 injections. However, my blood test shows that everything is completely normal...even iron and B12! My liver functions are excellent, cholestrol is perfect, even my blood pressure is exemplary! In fact, if it weren't for the cancer, I'd be fit as a fiddle!

The real credit for all of this goes to God's praying people. Thank you so much for standing with me in prayer. I'm looking forward to sharing even better news in the near future!

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Critical Prayer Point

2006-07-24T15:04:00.000+10:00

I would greatly appreciate your prayer on my behalf right now.

Two days ago, I began to experience the onset of bowel obstruction. You may remember from my posts in January and February that this is what sent me twice into hospital earlier this year.

It came to the point, on Saturday night, of deciding whether I should go into hospital. I couldn't eat or drink, which meant that I was getting dehydrated. My vertigo had returned with a vengeance (this has nothing directly to do with my cancer, but is a separate condition I'm fighting at the moment), and I was feverish. My doctor recommended that if the fever didn't break, I would need to admit myself into hospital.

My family, and many others, were praying earnestly. My fever broke, I began to be able to eat small portions - and more importantly, to drink fluids - and I felt my strength returning.

Over the last 48 hours or so, however, I've experienced a number of breakthroughs and apparent reversals. On Sunday morning, for example, I had a high fever, was feeling nauseous, and although I could eat and drink small portions, I knew that the bowel obstruction was not yet fully over.

I went before the Lord personally in prayer, asking him why I was experiencing these breakthroughs, followed by reversals. The Lord took me to the story of Joshua's battle with the Amalekites in Exodus 17:8-13. In verse 11, we read:

"As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning."

While Moses prayed with hands lifted up, the battle went for Joshua, but when his hands lowered, the battle went against Joshua. This is, I believe, a picture of what I'm facing right now, and we as a family and a church have taken up the challenge to pray through to full outworking of the victory we have in Jesus Christ.

There are two possible outcomes for me this week:

1. I end up in hospital (which may mean surgical intervention)
2. I come through this crisis in full victory (and, I'm praying, full healing)

Obviously, we want to see the second, not the first. Prayer is what will make the critical difference between these two outcomes.

Just to put you in the picture, so that you know how to pray, at present, I'll share with you what I'm facing. I'm battling potential fever (obviously not all the time, but on occasions), vertigo, nausea, increased pain, as well as potential bowel obstruction. Since Saturday, I'm now eating and drinking, which is a major miracle in itself, but my stomach is extremely loud (much gurgling and other noises). I can also feel the lump of the cancer in my stomach. Furthermore, I've lost another 5 kg (11 lbs). I'm down now to 63 kg (138 lbs), so obviously I'm praying to see this reversed very quickly.

Pain has intensified, but is largely still under control. Every time I feel pain, I call Elena and my parents, and we pray together, and the pain immediately lifts. But like Joshua's story in Exodus 17:8-13, this is an ongoing fight of faith and prayer, until the Lord's resolution comes fully through.

I'm experiencing extraordinary grace from the Lord. I should have been in hospital already, but the Lord has rescued me from this, and I continue to look to him for the complete resolution. I believe that this is not just a battle over my life, but I am on the frontline of what God is going to do in many, many more lives. I'll share more about this later.

Thanks for joining me on the frontline in prayer and intercessory warfare.

David

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Praise Report - Aubrey Winstead

2006-07-22T15:00:00.000+10:00

Some news for those who have been praying for little Aubrey Winstead...

Praise the Lord!!!

Aubrey's protein levels have been going up!!! So, they are sending us home today and we are trusting that she will no longer have this issue...

We have an appt on Tuesday to follow-up... They will be checking her protein levels... If they aren't good enough, they want to re-admit us... So, please pray for good news!

This has been a rollercoaster but we are so thankful to have your support and prayers every step of the way... God is so good and we are so thankful for His answered prayers and healing!

Love, the Winsteads

Jacob and Carissa
Winstead
jakencaris@earthlink.net

Let's keep lifting up Aubrey before the Lord's throne of grace!

David

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Prayer for Aubrey Winstead

2006-07-19T06:13:00.000+10:00

I've been praying for little Aubrey Winstead (3 1/2 years old) for some three and a half years now. She is the granddaughter of two dear friends of mine, Skip and Terri Weir (see http://www.weironamission.org).

Little Aubrey was born with a congenital heart defect, which has required countless surgical interventions -- and far more suffering than any 3 year old should endure. My situation pales into insignificance when compared to what Aubrey and her family must endure.

For this reason, I felt it important to share their prayer request on the Prayer Firewall, and I ask you to take up Aubrey's cause in intercession before the throne of God. Here is the latest news report that I've received from Skip and Terri.

First the good news: We were able to get enough pictures on the echo for them to be satisfied and we do not have to do a sedated one tomorrow... So, thank goodness for that!

The not so good: Aubrey is still suffering from the **Protein-Losing Enteropathy Secondary to Congestive Heart Failure which is causing her protein levels to be low... The problem with her protein levels being low is that it allows the water in her blood to seep out of her veins and it can leak into her lungs and around her heart causing heart failure... Since she hasn't been eating, she's not getting the nutrition she needs to help that level go up... But the problem can persist whether or not she eats what she needs to... If they find that this surgery has not helped to resolve the problem and a better diet also does not cure it, they will have to do another catheterization in a couple months... If they still cannot find a resolution for the protein loss issue, the only option left is a heart transplant... For now, they are giving her albumen (which replaces the protein in her blood) through her iv and hoping that with that replacement and a better diet (along with time for her body to adjust since the surgery) she will stop having this complication... In the mean time, we are waiting and our hospital stay has been extended until Friday or later depending on what progress they see...

Soooooo, we need prayer! We just need this protein loss complication to cease and desist! Please pray over Aubrey's mental and emotional stability so that she can be happy, calm, and return to her normal behavior and diet... The prospect of more tests and a longer hospital stay is very emotionally taxing on all of us... And the idea of facing a heart transplant is unbearable... So, we are asking you to believe for Aubrey's total and complete healing with us and just lift her body and spirit up in prayer with us... We are asking for and believing for a miracle to put an end to Aubrey's suffering and allow her a long, healthy, happy life! Thank you for your persistence in prayer with us and for the showered support... We are so blessed!

**Protein-losing Enteropathy (PLE)The abnormal loss of protein in the stool, resulting in crampy abdominal pain, diarrhea, fluid retention and swelling of the abdomen, extremities and eyelids. PLE is a rare complication of the Fontan operation, and occasionally other forms of congenital heart disease.

If you would like to encourage the Weir/Winstead family, find out more information, or subscribe to their regular updates, you can contact them directly at weirfamily@weironamission.org.

The Experience of Vertigo

2006-07-06T00:21:00.000+10:00

Over the last few days (since Monday), I've been experiencing acute vertigo. If I shift my head to either side, but particularly to the right, or if I tilt my head back, the world suddenly seems to spin violently, and I feel extremely nauseous. Dr Sook Lin Lee, my family doctor, made a home visit tonight, and she was able to diagnose it as "benign paroxysmal positional vertigo" (click here if you want more details on this condition).

Apparently the condition will clear itself up in the next few days, although it means I have to be careful walking, and can't drive at the moment. I'm taking a positive stand on this. As far as I'm concerned, these are just the throes of an enemy who knows he's defeated. PTL!

An Answer to Prayer

2006-07-03T23:19:00.000+10:00

As I shared in my last post, "A Call to Prayer", my family and I are currently pressing through in prayer to see my healing finalised -- sooner rather than later.

One of the mini-milestones was this last Sunday (July 2). Over the last couple of weeks, my health had noticeably deteriorated, and the previous Sunday (June 25), I was unable to fulfil my morning preaching slot. Instead, I had to spend the entire day in bed, the last place I wanted to be. Not only that, but come evening, my health still hadn't recovered enough to make it to the evening service. Not good.

So I was really looking to the Lord for divine intervention for yesterday. For me, this was a big deal. I was slated to preach in both the morning and the evening, and so I was lifting this before the Lord in earnest prayer. Come yesterday, however, I was still not all that well, but unlike the previous Sunday I was at least able to get up, and so I took the step of faith and arrived at church Sunday morning, ready to preach. And the Lord answered my prayer in a wonderful way. I was able to minister, and minister well, in both the morning and evening services.

Not only that, but even when I've successfully ministered on previous Sundays, this has usually knocked me out. I've often had to take all Monday, and sometimes even Tuesday too, to recover. But this Sunday was different. After each service yesterday, I didn't feel drained at all. And come today, I was bouncing back without any major negative symptoms at all.

Small step, true, but it's an important one for me.

I really appreciate you joining me in prayer for this. Thank you for your compassion, your faith and your stand with me at this time. This last two days have been very positive. Still experiencing pain, and some nausea at times, but each time we pray, it lifts. And so I continue to look to the Lord for the completion of the healing. I'm really looking forward to perfect health, and I'm asking for nothing less.

Yours in the wonder of His love and grace,

David

Call to Prayer

2006-06-29T16:22:00.000+10:00

July 7 marks exactly seven months since my original diagnosis. At that time, the doctor's prognosis was that I had "seven to nine months" mean lifespan.

While I don't read too much into that prognosis, this date is, for me, a significant and important milestone. I'm planning to have a celebratory dinner with the family on July 7, as an expression of faith and trust in the Lord.

The last week has been for me, however, a very difficult time. My health took a bit of a nosedive, and while I've rallied OK (no need to go into hospital, for example), it has still shaken me a little. There were a couple of days where I really struggled emotionally with thoughts of "maybe this is it", but then I rebuked myself for my faithless thinking and rehearsed again the promises of God that He has personally given me.

Partly, I think, the reason for this downturn was that I am approaching the July 7 milestone. Psychologically, it is a very important date for me. And guess what: our enemy also knows this. So I believe that, at least in part, this has been a spiritual attack on my health. And the moment I recognised that, my attitude changed and I began to respond to the symptoms differently...in faith, rather than in fear.

I ask you, however, to join me in prayer for this next couple of weeks. I really believe that this is an important juncture in my life, and in the narrative of my healing.

The first major goal I have is to be able to preach this coming Sunday (at both the 11am and 6pm services). I originally was to preach last Sunday, but my health was not up to it.

The second major goal is the July 7 celebration. I don't know what the Lord has in store, but I'm asking for the best and the highest. Not just improved health, but perfect health. As I often say, the timetable is up to the Lord, but my study of Scripture shows that the Lord quite often adjusts His timetable according to the prayers of His people (note John 2:1-11). After all, the Lord has invited us to ask (Matthew 7:7-8; Philippians 4:6) and thus He often limits His action to give us the opportunity to ask (James 4:2).

Here are a few of my symptoms to bear in mind when you pray:

Pain - This has been increasing over the last month, and I've had to upgrade my prescription from 40mg of Oxycontin per day to 80mg. I'm still struggling somewhat with pain (I need to frequently take Endone for "breakthrough pain"), and so if this doesn't change soon, it looks like I'll need to increase my dosage, once again, up to 120mg per day.
Weight - My weight stablised after my trip to Hong Kong at around 72kg (this is 3kg less than when I got married, 20 years ago, so not too bad ;-). But recently my weight began dropping again, and has stabilised now at 68kg.
Illness - This is harder to describe. I often have a general sense of ill health -- but not necessarily nausea. Fatigue is a continuing problem. My stomach often rumbles, at length, as if I have excess gas, and this is often, although not always, accompanied by pain. In extreme situations, I will also feel extremely cold and need to wrap myself up. Symptom are often the worse for a couple of hours after waking.
Sleep - My sleeping patterns are very erratic, mainly due to the Oxycontin. I'll sometimes sleep through the night, but more often than not, I'll be up all night (even though very sleepy) and manage to get to sleep maybe at 5 am or 7 am, or sometimes even much later in the morning. Then I'll sleep through much of the rest of the day. I'll also sometimes catch snatches of sleep throughout the day or night (every day seems to be a little different). I've learned to adjust, however, to this, and so I try to use the time I'm awake as productively as I can. It would definitely be nice, though, to get back into a normal sleep routine.

All of these are just symptoms. But the promise of God overrides not only the symptoms, but also the underlying cause. So let's also keep in mind the promise of Ephesians 3:20, which says:

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us..."

Thank you for joining me in prayer and intercession over this next two weeks. Let's look to the Lord for His wisdom and healing grace.

Every blessing in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 1:3),

David Collins

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Return to Australia

2006-05-01T19:24:00.000+10:00

I've just returned from a two week visit to China and Hong Kong. The trip was a real challenge of faith, since even a week before I was to go, my health status was still not up to par. Right up to the days before I was to leave, I was believing the Lord for a major turnaround in my health. And on Good Friday, I had begun to notice a major change for the better. While I was away in China, I continued to see great improvements in my health, allowing me to enjoy the trip to the full. And now, upon my return, I can give testimony to the wonderful grace of the Lord: For all intents, I'm now experiencing 100% health.

There are three major symptoms that I've held up to the Lord all along:

My appetite and capacity to eat.
My energy levels (i.e. general feeling of health).
The status of pain.

The first two have seen a major turnaround. My appetite, for example, has almost returned to normal (although this can just be seen as a result of ending the chemotherapy). The big evidence of a change, though, is in my capacity to eat. I can now eat about 2/3 of the meal size I could handle before the cancer. If you had seen the photographs of the size of my stomach (from the gastroscopy) you would realise just what a miracle this is - the tumour in my stomach had essentially reduced my stomach to a fraction of its previous size, so for me to be able to enjoy a full course meal is a genuine miracle.

The last item on my symptom list still remains, although the pain is being managed well. And so the total elimination of pain is now a primary focus of my faith.

I believe that in April I turned a major corner in the healing process the Lord is bringing in my life. At the moment, the evidence is just symptomatic, but I cannot tell you what a difference it is to feel "healthy." As soon as the third symptom, pain, sees a change, I'll organise a scan to confirm the objective status of my healing.

Latest Update

2006-04-15T22:37:00.000+10:00

Over the last week I've experienced a wonderful surge of energy and health. Although I still have my ups and downs (a day here or there of poor health), the ups definitely outweigh the downs right now.

In part, this is because it's been 3 weeks since I finished chemotherapy. But more than that, I believe it is the healing touch of the Lord. I'm taking a hold of my healing by faith, assured that the Lord will do what He has promised.

There are a number of clear signs that my health has turned a major corner. First of all, my appetite has returned with a vengeance - not just in quality but also in quantity. The other night, I polished off a thick T-bone steak, together with a side-order of fries and gravy. Now that is a remarkable improvement over the bite-sized meals that were my fare even four weeks ago.

On another note, my weight has increased by 4 kilos (about 9lbs) in the last week! I'm now 72 kg, up from 68 kg!

Pain is still a factor that I have to contend with, but that's the next on the list!

I really appreciate your continuing prayers for me. I'm looking forward to sharing a full testimony of complete healing with you soon.

Every blessing in Christ Jesus,

David

Prayer Request and Praise Report

2006-03-03T11:48:00.000+11:00

David is tolerating his current course of chemotherapy extremely well. He, however, had been having nightmares, but has since dealt with that on a spiritual level. You can read about this by accessing The Journey Blog. Please continue to pray that David be protected physically and spiritually.

One exciting major breakthrough in terms of David's condition is that he currently feels very little pain from his disease. So little in fact that he has held off getting his next opiate prescription filled by his faithful pharmacists! I look forward to be able to inform and share with you more specifically after I have a chance to talk to David. Please continue to pray for miracles to happen!

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Prayer Request - David started his second cycle of chemotherapy this morning...

2006-02-22T21:50:00.000+11:00

...at Box Hill Hospital in Melbourne. This cycle will be similar to the last - ie cisplatin via intravenous infusion on Day 1 followed by trial drug S1 over the next 3 weeks and then a week's break before Cycle 3.

Over the last week, David has gradually seen an increase of energy. Please pray that this will continue even during this round of treatment. David has specifically ask that we join him in prayers again to ask that the strength of our Lord would sustain him despite the fact that he is really not looking forward to having chemotherapy again!

David said, "During the last round, the Lord so clearly helped me and my symptoms were relatively minor, and now I'm asking the Lord for the same grace this time around: no nausea, an increase in appetite (appetite usually drops to near zero during chemotherapy), increase in physical strength (fatigue
is by far the biggest factor to contend with), and an absense of the general malaise that usually accompanies chemotherapy. "

I will ask too that everyone remembers David's work in the Lord and that he be always under the Lord's protection.

On behalf of David, Elena & family, I thank you for standing together with us in faith and prayers!

PS: Many have asked and emailed to ask about this Blog having gone very quiet the last couple of weeks. I personally apologise if this has caused anxiety and worries to many of you. Since the start of his first cycle of chemotherapy, David has experienced predictable adverse reactions and they were well-controlled. There were a couple of episodes of bowel obstruction which also resolved with relatively little medical intervention. So, please be assured that this Blog would be the first to inform when there are any changes to David's condition.

However, having said that, I also understand the concerns that everyone who knows and loves David has for his well-being, and the subsequent anxiety when there seems to be NO news. Hence, I have now asked a dear and very capable brother, Kenny Lee, to take over the maintenance of this Blog to ensure that David's friends, families and prayer partners are kept up-to-date with his prayer requests and news. I will post on this Blog only when I could help clarify any issues with regards to David's treatment or condition.

For me, my husband and 3 young children, it has been an incredible journey of praying in faith the last few months - first being devastated by David's diagnosis, then plucking ourselves off the floor and building this Firewall and learning the mighty powers and insight of our Saving Lord! We are (and I know, many are as well) totally dumbfounded by the amount of teaching churning out of David since his diagnosis...it is simply beyond comprehension! David has gone from being a pastor who was such an encouragement to his students at Online Bible College and our church ECC here in Melbourne, to being the voice and instrument for God to SOOOO many people all around the world - Christians and non-Christians! And for myself, the encouragement and blessing I personally get from merely maintaining this Blog and corresponding with Firewall Prayer Partners and all who posted and emailed is INCREDIBLE!

So, please please please continue to pray faithfully and dilligently for David. God knows and hears our requests!

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Correction to Earlier Post

2006-02-07T11:15:00.000+11:00

I've made a small correction to February 2nd's post - "Update - Bowel Obstruction Cleared" - which provides more up to date information on the cause of my hospital visit. So feel free to read again the first few paragraphs in that post, which are new.

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Praise Report - David now at home!

2006-02-06T00:46:00.000+11:00

David was discharged from the hospital on Friday 3 February night. He is now resting at home and continuing with his oral chemotherapy medications. Please continue to pray for strength/energy, adequate food/fluid intake, sleep and rest...and of course for the drugs to work their way to the cancer cells and destroy them all!!!

Please also pray for David's family..they are often the ones overlooked during such times...

Elena - energy and peace as she now devotes to looking after David & the family full-time;
The children - stamina, discipline, wisdom & peace as they start the school year - Jessica begins her Year 12 studies, Stephanie in Year 9, and Jordan starts his first year (Year 7) in senior school;
Paul & Bunty - peace & assurance from God as they walk the journey together with David, Elena & the children.

As for us who have been partners in this extraordinary journey of prayer and faith with David & his family, we ask God that our eyes be opened to His power and His miracles, and our hearts be inflamed with His love and His Grace! Amen...

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Update - Bowel Obstruction Cleared!

2006-02-02T22:36:00.000+11:00

David's bowel obstruction has now cleared, according to the X-ray scans. Although it was possible that the nausa and vomiting may have been a delayed reaction from cisplatin (the anti-cancer drug given on Day 1) or it may be an adverse reaction to the trial drug S1 which David is taking at the moment (please refer to the post about his chemotherapy regimen), this was ruled out by the doctors.

David did confess a couple of days ago that he was slacking off a little with his antiemetics (anti-vomiting tablets) because he was feeling really good. Whatever it is, please pray that David will get back on his feet quickly...and that he WILL be diligent with his medications!! ;)

It is still uncertain as to the exact cause of these bowel obstructions. It is likely to be one of two things:

The stomach tumour pressing on the upper intestinal tract, cause a pressure blockage.
Smaller perotoneal seeds of cancer causing the upper intestinal tract to "shut down".

David has also been working with a hospital dietician, who may have identified a secondary cause of the blockages. He has now adjusted his diet to excluse insoluble fibres (seeds, nuts, fruit skins, pepper, spices, certain vegetables, and the like). Let's pray that this dietary change will have a positive impact on this problem.

David is currently resting well and able to drink clear soup today. If all is still well, he should be dischaged tomorrow.

Jacqueline Brown from the Living Word Minsitries in Portugal continues to be such a bleesing and comfort to David and to those of us who work on this Blog. She has written the following prayer...

"Lord I thank you that you are David’s strength, I thank you that as he calls on you and we call on you that he is saved from the enemy inhabiting these cancer cells. Lord I thank you that your anger burns against the enemy and that you thunder from heaven and send arrows to scatter your foe. Thank you that you will destroy the cancer cells with the breath of your mouth and your consuming fire.
Lord I thank you that you draw David out of the flood of fatigue and of anything else that is too strong for him. Thank you Lord that the weak can say they are strong and that by you Lord David can run against a troop and leap over a wall.

David, God delivers you because He delights in you and it is
he who right now arms you with strength and makes your way
perfect.

Thank you Lord that you have subdued anything that rises up
against David because you have chosen him to be a king and priest and I thank you that you have delivered him and his descendents now and forever.

Lord we know that your breath can destroy in justice and gives life in creation and mercy so I ask you now to breathe life into David’s life, into the army of cells that protect and nourish his body. Thank you for Jesus who came to give us life and life more abundantly. Let David receive this life now Lord and
also running over as a harvest Lord for all of his life that he has given to us and continues to do. I thank you Jesus for the gift he is to the body of Christ. Lord preserve him in strength for your name’s sake. Let many come along side and hold up his arms let him know he is not alone.
We thank you Lord that you hear and answer our prayers. We praise you for your mighty works, for victory and abundant life and full strength from the breath of your mouth. We praise you with the breath you have given us Lord as you make us to be a praise to your glory. Lord be glorified in this situation and may all involved know your love and majesty. Amen."

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Urgent Prayer Reuqest! David is in hospital...

2006-02-02T07:07:00.000+11:00

David sent a text message early this morning - he has been admitted to hospital again with bowel obstruction. The situation is not as serious as last time.He had x-rays and results will be available this morning.

David says that he is looking to the Lord for His grace and miraculous intervention. Please let us all do the same... God has been teaching us time and time again to totally trust David's life and our own lives to Him, and to rely on His mercy and His timing. Our God is our Rock...our Rock who will right all things... (Samuel 2:1-10)

David has attempted to contact me a number of times the last couple of days, but because I was very busy at work, I did not get his messages till late in the evenings. Emailing and posting on the blog takes time, and not everyone is on his/her computer all the time. Whilst I am commited to keeping this blog updated with david's prayer needs and requests, I ask you all to think with me ways I can effectively communicate David's urgent prayer request to you. I have forwarded David's text message this morning to people whose mobile numbers I have in my own phone (I apologise if you were sent the message more than once...in my haste, I may have inadvertantly pressed more than one button more than once! ;p), and have emailed all Firewall Prayer Partners (only those who have specifically asked to join our team). If you think this is an effective method, please let me know and please email me via the Prayer Firewall address (below) your mobile phone number. If you are overseas, please also include country & area codes...to save me from looking every single one up! ;p

I understand there is the issue of privacy and security with the request I've just made. So, I ask you to do this only if you are totally comfortable with it. Similarly, if you do not want to be included in the Prayer Requests Mobile Phone Text List, please let me know. I will still endeavour to email all Prayer Partners as quickly as possible.

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Praise Report - It's a miracle! Minimal adverse reactions! And more prayer requests!

2006-01-28T15:42:00.000+11:00

David started his first course of chemotherapy 3 days ago and has experienced minimal adverse reactions! David even called it a 'POSITIVE EXPERIENCE'! Amazing Grace! Hallulujah!

His chemotherapy regimen is as follow -

Cisplatin - once every 4 weeks intravenously as a day patient at Box Hill Hospital; plus
Trial drug S1 - 3 tablets orally twice a day for 3 of every 4 weeks.

Six courses have been planned at this stage, but a review of progress will occur after second course.

David has been very vigilent with his antiemetics and his symptoms thus far have been

a little queasiness at times but nothing major;
reduced appetite. David said he's forcing himself to eat (Good on you, David!) . He's also drinking a lot of juice and soya milk in particular, which he find very palatable;
fatigue

David has asked specifically that you remember him in prayer with regards to this last symptom - fatigue. The combination of opiate analgesics and chemotherapy, not to mention that the disease itself also drains one of energy, he finds that he sleeps a lot even during the day. Whilst this may be a blessing (adequate rest always helps a patient to recuperate better) in the first few days after intravenous chemotherapy, ongoing fatigue can be debilitating. Please ask God to really sustain David and to boost him with extra energy.

Another important prayer point would be to pray for David's blood counts to recover steadily and adequately for Course 2 of chemotherapy to proceed without delay. And of course to ask God to really intervene and change David's whole disease picture when he undergoes his review in a couple of months' time.

Continue to stand strong in faith, Prayer Partners! Don't let go!

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Photo: David and Elena (post "Shear a Shepherd")

2006-01-27T18:39:00.000+11:00

Elena and I, after a swim at the local pool. This is the "new look" me, after the Shear A Shepherd event last Sunday.

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Praise Report - "Shear a Shepherd" event was a great success; Prayer Request - David is starting chemotherapy

2006-01-25T00:18:00.000+11:00

To all who prayed and encouraged David in his 'Shear a Shepherd' fundraising effort for Online Bible College - PRAISE THE LORD!!! A total of more than AU$10,000 was raised! David is absolutely bowled over! For those of us who know David and seen how, even now, his main concern is still for the OBC and its students, we are terribly excited but not overly surprised at the results. David's journey is a powerful example of a Christ-centred life...very few would not be touched by what he is doing right now.

As far as starting chemotherapy is concerned, David's attitude has changed from one of mild apprehension to one of GREAT expectation! David has no doubt that the Lord is going to move in his life "countering the flood of toxins and enabling that supermatural power of His resurrection to truly outwork my mortal body" - these are David's own words, and we ask all Firewall Prayer Partners to stand and pray in faith with him as he commence chemotherapy today.

Julie Ruiz in Texas prayed the following prayer for David. Please be encouraged...

"Dear Heavenly Father,

I praise you and glorify your Holy Name for You are so faithful to Your children. Lord, in the name of Jesus Christ, I continue to ask healing over David. Lord, in You everything is possible. I thank You for touching David right now, I thank You for renewing his strenght and restoring his health. Lord, You have given us this year visions as a year of restorations, I pray restorations to David and the whole family. Lord Jesus, I pray Your words in Psalms 91:14-16. I thank You for You are faithful to him. Lord, I give You all the glory and honor for it is done
- you already healed David in Jesus Name. Amen."

Last week, brother PT shared with me how the song Because He Lives kept churning in his mind when he was praying for David, and how encouraged he was when the song was sung at service that very Sunday.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow
Because He lives, all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living just because He lives

Have no doubt - we were, we are and we will because and only because HE LIVES! Gal 2:20

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2006-01-21T21:21:00.000+11:00

David had a battery of tests on Thursday 19 January to check on his heart in preparation for starting chemotherapy next Wednesday. His heart is strong and healthy, cholesterol is great, and blood pressure is perfect. To cut a long story short, apart from the cancer, David has been been given a total "clean bill of health" on just about every indicator possible! Praise the LORD! In David's own words, "All we need to see now is that the cancer be eradicated and I'll probably live longer than anybody else!"

David also had a baseline CT scan (see photo) done on Friday 20 January. Apart from the discomfort of trying to keep down the foul-tasting contrast, David ''survived' the episode. Results will not be back till Monday. Please remember this in your prayer. Please pray for God to be glorified and David to be encouraged in all things, in all situations, in all circumstances!

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Prayer Requests - Increase Energy and Reduce Adverse Drug Reactions

2006-01-19T02:04:00.000+11:00

David has been working like a trojan since his 'release' from hospital! Just read his postings on 'The Journey' Blog! Is this man supposed to be sick or what?! ;p

David has asked that the following updates be shared with all Firewall Prayer Partners and everyone who has been praying for him.

"It was great to get out of hospital yesterday - I'm like a free man again! I'd particularly appreciate prayers for the following -
My main need at the moment is for strength. I feel very drained...no energy. I've lost 6 kg (13 lbs) while in hospital - down from 74kg (163 lbs) to 68kg (150 lbs) - mostly in the first 3 to 4 days when I was on saline drip without food.
I've been put on steroids to help reduce the inflamation and tumour size. The steroid has a number of unpleasant side effects, including a rather discomforting hunger (good for putting on some weight, I guess) and wakefulness/sleeplessness (which doesn't help my physical strength too much). But I'm also experiencing trouble breathing and having some chest pains. I'll need to follow this up with the doctor.
I'll be going in for a baseline CT scan on Friday, in preparation for beginning chemotherapy on Wednesday 25 January. Please pray for the outcome."
Jacqueline Brown, Director of Biblical Studies at the Living Word Ministry in Protugal was overjoyed when she read that David was discharged from hospital. This is a prayer of thanksgiving that she wrote.
"Today mourning has been turned to dancing and sorrow into joy as I receive news of the improvement in David. I know in my heart Lord that you have given encouragement to your body to keep on praying and looking to you for full victory and recovery. We are one body - yesterday I was crying at the thought of the suffering of David and his family, today I join him and his family in smiling hope. I thank you Father from the bottom of my heart for what you have done. I thank you that you will continue the work you have started. I thank you that you will give David strength to join in the battle of the doctors to kill the cancer and that he will not falter through nausea or weakness. Give him much weight Lord in his determination to live and continue his sharing of your life. Encourage his family and make them all very flexible and at peace as you turn all this around for their good. May their joy increase day by day as they unite together with you. Bring helpers in every area of their lives so that the details of day to day living are taken care of - in finances, in food preparation, in cleaning, in getting about, and all those things Lord that hinder us sometimes from spending time with each other and with you. Help them all and me too Lord to know that perfect love casts out fear and never fails. Thank you Lord that you love David perfectly and that you love him in sickness and in health that you love him fat or thin that you love him resting or working and give him the ability to rest in your finished work as he puts on health and strength till nothing against your purpose can stand in his way and your life destroys the cancer and anything else that opposes you and the health of your body the Church. Amen."

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Praise Report - David is going home!

2006-01-17T10:03:00.000+11:00

David is being discharged fom the hospital this morning even as this report is being posted! He has started drinking and even eaten a quarter of a sandwich when we visited him last evening! Praise the Lord!

There were lots of laughs, jokes, and teasing from his family - Elena, Jessica and Jordan - yesterday. Jordan seemed curious about everything in David's room, but when he stuck his face into the urinal, everyone shouted in disgust! Elena's face was visibly relaxed and happy, and Jessica was even more than her usual bubbly self! You could feel that the cloud the family had lived under the last few days was beginning to lift. It was a good feeling for me, as an outsider, to share that moment with them. Jessica took particular delight in showing photos of David and Elena taken a year ago and teased her dad endlessly about how chubby he used to look. David is indeed a shadow of the man he used to be - having lost nearly 30kg since then...

David wanted the following to be posted onto the Blog so that it could be an encouragement to everyone who has been praying for him and continue to pray for him.

David's oncologist and medical team were initially convinced that David needed bypass surgeyr to correct the blockage in his colon. If that had been the case, it would mean the necessity of a colostomy, a possibly long drawn-out recovery, and very likely delay to any treatment for his cancer. However, God's hands were at work - the blockage resolved with drainage and David bounced back in less than 3-4 days! Hallelujah!
David, Elena and the family have decided to follow his oncologist's advice to commence palliative chemotherapy on 25 January. For David himself, please pray for tolerance to the antineoplastics and other medications, minimal adverse reactions, and good recovery (particularly blood counts) between courses of chemotherapy. And most importantly, that the cancer will be conquered! For Elena and the children, please pray for peace, patience and rest as they walk the journey with David. Please pray for ability to adapt as there will no doubt be a lot of adjustment as David goes in and out of hospital the next few months while he receives treatment.

We pray to God because we know that He is our refuge and strength. Mountains may fall and seas may roar...but what do we have to fear when our help is from the One who planted the mountains and filled the seas! (Psa 46:1-3)

Prayer warrior, continue to pray fervently!

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Praise Point - He is improving...

2006-01-14T19:42:00.000+11:00

David looked decidedly better yesterday and this afternoon when we visited him in hospital. We thought his nasogastric tube is rather becoming! There was colour in his cheeks and he is smiling a lot more! He still looked lethargic and slightly drowsy...partly from the ordeal the past couple of days and partly from the opiate analgesics he is receiving. He continues to have intermittent nausea and vomiting.

Gastroscopy and other investigations have confirmed that the obstruction is in the colon, which is gradually resolving after the drainage. David has been hydrated intravenously since Thursday night, but he will be allowed to try oral intake on Monday, and then perhaps discharge on Tuesday if all go well. The plan is to commence chemotherapy by end of next week providing David makes a reasonable recovery from this episode.

David has specifically asked that we pray these two points for him -

...that he gets better soon!
...that he gets longer periods of sleep in the hospital. With nurses and medical staff regularly reviewing him, plus the fact that he is sleeping in a room with 3 other patients, trying to sleep could be quite a challenge.

David Smith, a Firewall Prayer Partner, wrote and encouraged us to have faith and be convicted that David can go to heaven in God's time - in good health! Hallelujah!

Matt 17:20 He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, `Move from here to there' and it will move.

David Smith wrote a prayer for David -

"Father, we recognise the life threatening condition in David's body and is the enemy of your purpose for that body. You purchased his body at the price of your Son's blood. It is a place from which the good news is declared by his life and teaching. Therefore we aggressively reject and forcefully command in the Name of Jesus that this cancer leave his body immediately. The authority of the Name above every other Name comes against this enemy of God. We agree as one, whoever is praying this, that this enemy will be gone from David. Thankyou Holy Spirit - to You be the glory. AMEN"

Let us continue to pray BOLDLY!

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Update on David - Please continue to pray!

2006-01-13T12:04:00.000+11:00

Rang the oncology ward at Box Hill Hospital this morning and the nurse said David didn't have a very good night last night with continual nause and vomiting and pain. He managed to fall asleep this morning and she told me to hold off visits until maybe later today so that he can grab some sleep.

Late last ngiht, Elena rang and reported what she understood to be David's situation because, as you could imagine, the medical jargons were rather confusing. I'll try to confirm them when I get a chance to visit David but the gist of it is as follow -

X-ray showed a blockage in the gastric-oesophageal junction which explains David's inability to keep food and even water down. There is also extensive abdominal distension. Fluid was drained last night to relieve pressure, and a gastroscopy has been scheduled today to ascertain the true picture of what's going on.

Please do not be alarm but pray ernestly for Divine intervention for David to ride above his current situation. I'll post his updates as I know them so we can all pray intelligently for David. Or perhaps there is no such thing as 'intelligence' in this case, but total reliance on God to intervene...

Below is a prayer that Kenny, a Firewall Prayer Partner, wrote in response to David's latest news. Please be encouraged...

Heavenly Father,

Hear our prayers that we humbly ask
that in this time of uncertainty and pain that David is going through we ask for
your almighty and wonderful presence. You are the great physician that can
heal all illnesses. David has been your humble and faithful servant and we
ask in the name of your son that you relieve him of any pain and that you
restore his health. Father we know he has many years of service that he
wants to devote to you. Comfort him and his family.

In Jesus
Christ's name we ask of thee.

AMEN!!

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URGENT PRAYER REQUEST - David was just admitted into Box Hill Hospital

2006-01-12T22:05:00.000+11:00

David had a bad turn this afternoon. He had about 4-5 episodes of vomiting this afternoon with lots of dry retching. He was unable to keep his opiate analgesic down and therefore started to experience pain. Elena had to rush home from work at about 5pm and, with the advice of David's treating oncologist, they went to Box Hill Hospital Emergency Department. David was subsequently commenced on intravenous morphine and antiemetics, and was admitted for observation and review. He had an x-ray and will need another gastroscopy. I will keep this Blog updated with his progress and prayer requests as I know them.

Throughout his ordeal this afternoon, David remained alert and calm. Even when he was in obvious pain, he gritted his teeth and bore it... If not for the soft moans that occasionally escaped his mouth, one would think he was just sleeping on the bed in that emergency room. Even the nurse who assessed him commented about how brave he was. The only time David gave way to audible cries of pain was when the nurse made several attempts to access his poor veins in his arm. David was so dehydrated because he had not been able to keep anything down the whole day that he hardly had any visible vein! David was trying so hard to endure the pain the whole time that muscles in both his legs went into spasm. David's pain was eventually under control, but not before another few episodes of vomiting.

Please stand together in fervent prayer with David and the Firewall Prayer Partners for the following -

The peace, calm and strength of our Almighty God will continue to be with David (Isa 41:10)
David's pain, nausea and vomiting will be kept under control and that his veins will hold up for the duration of the drip. Please also pray for a short stay only in the hospital (this was requested by Elena).
Wisdom be given to David's treating doctors and team.
David was also told today that he is ineligible for the chemotherapy trial that he was asked to consider. He is now offered palliative chemotherapy which is supposed to commence next Friday. Please pray for peace as he and Elena and the children pray to make the crucial decision whether to proceed with chemotherapy.
Rest, peace and strength for David's family, particularly Elena. Elena has resigned from her work (finishing off at end of the month) so she can look after David at home.

To all David's friends and family, believe strongly that our God is merciful and gracious to us (Psa 123). Be assured that His lovingkindness never cease and His compassions never fail (Lam 3:22). We are SO blessed because our God is all we need and our hope is in Him (Lam 3:24). Hallelujah!

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Announcement – Encouragement from John Lewis

2006-01-11T01:53:00.000+11:00

The following is an excerpt from an email from John Lewis, a Firewall prayer partner. His mom, Shirley Lewis, died September last year. When John heard about David, he immediately asked to join the Firewall and shared about his mother and his family, and more importantly, how God used their situation to minister to them.

I have John’s permission to post this in the blog so that he could be an encouragement to David as well as to all of us. It is obvious that there is still pain and grief in John’s penning of what happened. But then, you see, our God doesn’t just give us ‘situations’, He gives us situations that give! Hallelujah!

...We miss [my mother] very much but are overjoyed that she is with the King of Kings!! I would love to share with you what my family has been through. I pray that somehow through sharing, it will minister to you...I know it ministers to me to be able to share it with you...

...My Mom was diagnosed with bladder cancer in January 2004. She immediately had her bladder removed since the cancer was spreading very rapidly...Mom made a full recovery. All seemed fine until July 2005...doctors found cancer cells in her lymph nodes and began very aggressive chemotherapy...She then had a blood clot passed through her heart...chemotherapy was put on hold until they could treat the blood clots...Mom was pronounced terminal by mid September...On September 26, around 11pm, my Dad called to say Mom’s breathing was very strained. My entire family...was all at her bedside when Mom died. (My sister had trouble getting home and did not arrive until about 6:15 am the next day. Mom died 13 minutes later. Mom waited until we were all there before she went to see Jesus!!! That’s just the kind of Mom she was!!!) Mom died at 6:28AM on Sept 27...She was 64 years old.

...When Mom was first diagnosed with cancer, she struggled with it. As time went on, the Lord ministered to her and she honestly was at peace with whatever the Lord wanted to do in her life. She never wavered in that faith. I remember being at the hospital about a week before she died. She woke up and saw I had been crying. Somehow she found the strength to reach up and hug me. She told me she loved me and she knew I loved her. She told me not to cry for her. She was going to be with the One who delivered her from sin and hell. She would miss all of us but knew we would be with her when it was our time to be with the Lord.

Prior to Mom’s diagnosis, my wife and I had been praying very earnestly that the Lord would unify my family and use us all for His glory. He used the bladder cancer to bring us all together. We started meeting once per month for prayer and Bible study and would seek the Lord for unity. As time passed, these family meetings became more focused on the family rather than the Lord. We lost our true focus. But there was a lot of healing going on between different family members. As our focus was diverted away from the Lord, we started meeting less and less. Since Mom has passed on, the Lord has reaffirmed His desire for us to continue the family meetings. Praise God this time they are extremely focused on Him and we are now meeting every two weeks. I know that God did not cause Mom to have terminal cancer in order for these meetings to take place. This is just one thing the Lord has done as a result of what happened to Mom. There are many, many others.

Another thing the Lord has done is with Dad...Dad absolutely idolized Mom. Over the years after we came to Christ I would occasionally think about the future and realize that Mom would be able to cope better with the loss of Dad than Dad would of losing Mom...During the final three weeks of Mom’s life, I saw an absolute miracle took place in Dad’s life. I saw the Lord give Dad the grace he needed to put my Mom in the Lords hands and trust Him with his bride for eternity! My Dad truly surrendered her to the Lord and through it all I watched my Dad grow increasingly stronger in the Lord. He was always strong in his faith but this was a whole new level of trust. The Lord truly ministered to me through what He was doing through Dad...

...Even during the time of watching Mom get weaker and weaker, I sensed Gods presence stronger and stronger. Sometimes it would get so overwhelming, I could just "shout it from the housetops"! I know the same thing happened to my Dad. This is something the world apart from Christ will never understand, I have no idea how people who don't know Christ could cope with the loss of a loved one. For us it was very sad, but at the same time a very joyous occasion. Think of it! Mom is sitting at the throne of the Lord! She knows what it is like to be in heaven! She has seen the Creator! She suffers no more! Her pain is gone! Man, I can't wait to be there too!...

Here are some of the Scriptures the Lord has used to teach and encourage during this time.
Psalm 116:15
Proverbs 14:32
John 16:32-33
Romans 8:28
Philippians 1:21
Romans 8:12-25
Psalms 25
I know for sure that...
He is faithful!
He is kind!
His grace IS sufficient!
He truly IS the Comforter!
He DOES supply ALL our needs!
His presence has been close to us during this entire time!
He is the only source of strength in trying times!
His love IS eternal!
He is my KING OF KINGS and always will be my LORD OF LORDS!

John’s brother has set up a website http://www.shirleys-garden.com/ in honour of their mom.

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Praise Report - Initial Weight Gain

2006-01-05T10:15:00.000+11:00

On January 1, I posted a Prayer Request (see "Prayer Request - Weight Gain), and I just want to give a preliminary praise report.

Over the last week, I've gained 2 kg (about 4.4 lbs) and sustained it. This is quite a dramatic reversal of a consistent trend of losing weight over the last 18 months.

Thank you, Lord!

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Announcement - Standing Together in Faith

2006-01-04T18:55:00.000+11:00

Welcome and thank you to all who have signed up to be a Firewall Prayer Partner, particularly in the last couple of weeks!

When we first heard the news of David's diagnosis, to say we were distressed and saddened was an understatement! David has been a blessing to ECCI in more ways than he could ever imagine! In his one short year with us, he has touched, counselled, encouraged, corrected, taught, calmed and challenged! The creation of the Prayer Firewall was a response to God's prompting - to form a prayer fence against the enemy as we pray on our knees at exactly same time. Many have questioned why EVERYDAY and why 6 to 7 am. Those were my exact questions when God first instructed!!! It is however becoming increasingly clear that God did not intend for this to be easy so that we could boast. I am convinced God has a lesson to teach us all...

So, here is how the Firewall works - we pray on our knees wherever we are from 6 to 7am AEDT. Partners who are not in Australia will pray at exactly the same hour in their timezone. We pray in one accord the prayer specially crafted for David (please see "Prayer Template"). This prayer was crafted by Suzy, one of our firewall partners, and is a powerful and meaningful prayer that helps us to focus. We believe that to pray in one accord strengthens not only our intercession for David, but also our own being and our relationship with God. We also encourage all partners to note promises and praise points as they pray for David and meditate on God.

The following is a testimony from Siew Im, another partner. Siew Im's mum also had cancer. I was energised and encouraged to know that nothing we do is not already planned and knowned by our God! I hope you will be too.

Siew Im wrote on 20 December:

"Just to share and encourage each other...the 2nd morning I prayed, I saw something encircling around Pastor David's body and the word "wall of fire" came to me (I believed its the Holy Spirit who spoke to me)....Ps Nelson Koh talked about the 'wall of fire' in Zechariah 2 on Sunday about the wall of fire and in your email when I read it yesterday, you mentioned 'prayer firewall'. So, God is in control of this situaion and He is speaking to us. Victory is His...Yesterday, I prayed in tongues in the car on the way home and I truly believed that the Lord has healed Pastor David of the cancer cells. Don't ask me how I know but that's my conviction after praying strongly in my car...I had similar experiences when I was praying for my mum..."

David had said he values our prayer most at this point in time. Knowing that we are all praying fervently for him will not only make David bold with strength in his soul, but more importantly, will make all of us bold with strength in our souls!

"In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul." Psalm 138:3.

David believes...and I'm also beginning to ...that the Prayer Firewall is going to spread like wildfire worldwide. Please tell all your friends who know & love David about the Firewall!

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Prayer Event - Meeting at the Collins Home

2006-01-02T11:38:00.000+11:00

This morning, the pastoral team, overseers and other members of Evangelical Community Church got together at my home, together with Linda Lee and her family, and my parents, to pray. Elena had to go to work this morning, but she too was joining us in prayer at this time.

Linda Lee has also been diagnosed with cancer, and so we've been praying together, and encouraging one another in our faith toward the Lord.

What a great time of worship, prayer and sharing this time was! I was greatly encouraged by the words that so many brought. It is a wonderful thing to have such a great support of prayer and faith behind me and the family.

As we were praying, someone shared from 2 Corinthians 1:20:

"For no matter how many promises God has made, they are 'Yes' in Christ. And so through him the 'Amen' is spoken by us to the glory of God."

And so we began quoting the various promises the Lord has given, each followed by a corporate "amen". I'll share more on this in another post soon (see the post "Yes and Amen").

Praise the Lord! God is in charge and he is at work in our lives!

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Prayer Request - Weight Gain

2006-01-01T16:19:00.000+11:00

I've been steadily losing weight for the past year and a half, reducing from my peak weight of 98 kg (216 lbs) to my current weight of 72 kg (158 lbs). For those without a calculator handy, that's a weight loss of 26 kg (58 lbs), or about one quarter (one fourth) of my total body weight.

What I'm believing for is a reversal of this trend. For example, because I had to fast 5 hours, twice over two days, in order to undergo tests (a CT scan on Thursday and a gastroscopy on Friday), I've lost another kilogram (2 lbs) in the last three days alone.

Weight loss or gain is one of the most immediately observable results that I can measure at this point. Would you join me in prayer that I can gain 3 kgs (6.6 lbs) over the next few weeks, and sustain that weight for a least a week (we can then believe for more weight gain from there).

This reversal of my weight loss is extremely important, because weight loss and physical strength correlate directly. In other words, by gaining weight at this time, my body will have greater physical strength to fight the cancer.

Thank you so much for joining me in prayer for this.

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Medical Update - Biopsy Tests

2005-12-31T14:30:00.000+11:00

On Thursday I had an my second CT scan (to determine the extent of the cancer's spread) and on Friday I had my third gastroscopy (in order to get more biopsy material). The biopsy samples have now been sent to Germany, where they will be tested for what is called HER2 receptors.

HER2 receptors are a type of cell-surface protein that signals the cell to divide and helps control normal cell growth, cell division, and cell survival. Apparently, only 10% of people have the HER2 receptor, and so this is what the pathologists in Germany are testing my biopsy samples for.

If I turn out to be HER2-positive, then I will be placed in a trial for the anti-cancer drug, Herceptin, which has had great success in defeating breast cancer. The trial is to see whether Herceptin will work just as effectively for other cancers, such as stomach cancer. But even if I do participate in the trial, it will be a double-blind trial. Only 50% of the participants will actually receive the Herceptin (together with the normal course of chemotherapy), while the other 50% will receive a placebo together with the chemotherapy (and there would be no way of me knowing at the time whether I am actually on Herceptin or not).

I will give you an update as soon as I know more details on the results of the biopsy tests.

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Medical Report - The Oncologist's Prognosis

2005-12-22T14:10:00.000+11:00

Before reading this post, I recommend that you first read "God is My Salvation".

A medical diagnosis is always the starting point for prayer. It is not the end, but the beginning, of the story. So here's my prognosis, as explained by my oncologist on December 20:

I have fourth-stage stomach cancer, with extensive peritoneal seeding (which means that nodules of cancer have spread throughout the abdominal cavity).
There is no possible cure, either by surgical intervention or through medicinal means. Chemotherapy can only delay the progress of the cancer.
The mean survival rate for this stage of cancer is 7-9 months (although it may be possible to stretch my life expectancy to about 18 months). Having said that, even without the Lord, there are many who beat these odds, and of course with the Lord and with your prayers, I plan to do more than just beat the odds.

The oncologist expects, now, that I should be starting chemotherapy probably in the second week of January, and there is a possibly that I could participate in a trial therapy, so I'll need to pray about that.

The short of it all is, basically, that the oncologist has confirmed much of what we already knew: Without the Lord, there's no chance of cure, but with the Lord, all things are possible! And remember, so-called "life expectancy" rates are statistical only. In other words, the experience of the majority of people with this same condition is a low-survival rate and short-term prospects. But a prognosis is not a prophecy. Doctors cannot see the future, nor can they take into account supernatural elements such as the divine intervention.

Also bear in mind, as you continue to journey with me over the next few weeks, months (and years), that I view a life-expectancy prognosis simply as the yardstick against which the miraculous healing of God is measured.

Now the reason I asked you to read "God is My Salvation" before reading this post is simple. Without placing this news in the context of what the Lord is doing in my life, the news is, to put it bluntly, devastating. Without the word of God, the word of the doctor offers no true sense of hope. After all, they are even now organising palliative care for me, and they're preparing me for months, not years, of life ahead, with the control of pain and nursing of my condition the only real hope that the medical community can offer me.

But my medical condition (the physical illness) is only one dimension of my life. There is an overriding dimension - the spiritual dimension - which is my daily walk with the Lord. The physical dimension is based on words from my oncologist (the natural physician). The spiritual dimension is based on words from God himself (the Great Physician). As Matthew 4:4 puts it:

"...It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

This means that my life is not just fed on a physical level but on a spiritual level, and it is on both levels that I am now facing this crisis.

I stand firm on the word the Lord gave me in Philippians 1:19-26:

"Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me."

This, together with other words that the Lord is speaking into my life (and which I will share with you later) is the foundation of my attitude, my behavior and, of course, my hope. Thus it is not just the Oncologist's Report to which I am responding, but also the Creator's Report, which is far more important.

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Announcement - Prayer Template

2005-12-20T07:31:00.000+11:00

Phyllis Lau has crafted a special "prayer template" which the Prayer Firewall team is now using as part of their intercession each morning.

Lord, we give thanks that your mercies are new every morning even though we are undeserving. You said in John 15:16 that You have chosen us and ordained us that we should go and bring forth fruit and that our fruit should remain, that whatsoever we shall ask of the Father in Your name, He may give it to us.

Father, in the name of Jesus, we lift Pastor David Collins to You and pray a hedge of protection around him. We thank You, Father that You are a wall of fire round about David and that you set Your angels around him. We thank You, Father that David dwells in the secret place of the Most High and abides under the shadow of the Almighty. Because David has made You, Lord, his refuge and fortress, no evil shall befall him.

Father because You have set your love upon David, therefore will You deliver him from this stomach cancer. We call upon You and You answer us. Hallelujah!

You are with David and his family and will satisfy David with long life and show him your mercy.

As your children and co-heirs with Christ Jesus, by the authority given to us in Jesus’ name, we ask in prayer, for complete restoration of health to David’s body and believe that we have received it and it will be done. We also claim your promise in Exodus 15:26 that says, "...for I am the Lord who heals you (David)."

Father, we praise You and forget not all Your benefits. You forgive all our sins and heal all our diseases. Your Word states, “You took up our infirmities and carried our diseases”. We ask in the precious name of Jesus our Saviour, for Your grace, Your peace, Your love, Your provision and most of all Your healing upon our brother in Christ, David.

We worship and adore You, El-Elyon, the Most High God who is the First Cause of everything, the Possessor of the heavens and the earth. You are the Everlasting God and have exalted above all else Your Name and Your Word, which we claim for our brother David. Because Your lovingkindness is better than life our lips shall praise You.

Thank You Lord Jesus for hearing our prayer and interceding to the Father for us.

Amen

Feel free to use this prayer, and to add your own personalised prayers of request and intercession.

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Announcement - Join the Team!

2005-12-17T21:04:00.000+11:00

Would you like to join the Prayer Firewall?

As a Prayer Firewall member, you will receive regular updates on David's condition, together with prayer points and praise reports.

To join, please email the Prayer Firewall team at prayerfirewall@gmail.com.

Announcement - Welcome to the Prayer Firewall!

2005-12-16T07:00:00.000+11:00

Phyllis Lau and several members of Evangelical Community Church (ECC) have set up a "prayer firewall" for David Collins, who is on the ECC pastoral team and who was recently diagnosed with late-stage stomach cancer.

This Prayer Firewall is a team of intercessors who are committed to praying for David Collins and his family every day, particularly between 6:00 am and 7:00 am, Melbourne time.

If you would like to know what time it currently is in Melbourne, click here. If you would like to join the Prayer Firewall update email list, write to Phyllis and the Prayer Firewall team at prayerfirewall@gmail.com.