My Testimony
A Journey acclaiming the promise of God to be truth and as the Spirit saith:
“The enemy is defeated by the Blood of the Lamb and the Word of
‘Our testimony’.”
As I am thinking on what God has done for me, I must go back to over a year ago. I made a decision to get serious and learn what God wanted me to do. I had lost my husband in 2003. My granddaughter was injured that same year and God took her home in 2006. My family was torn and emotionally went separate ways. I cried out to God and the answer was to get into My Word. Learn of me and I will show you great things. I enrolled into ISOM @ TWOC. I began to read the Word faithfully and even began a study group in my home on Sunday afternoon. The Word became real to me and opened up as revelation came through intimacy with the Holy Spirit. God is faithful when He says He will show me great things. The opportunity came for me to go to Africa on a Medical Mission trip and I excitedly volunteered. The door was opened and I walked through. Did I do something astounding or miraculous? No but God did. He opened my eyes to a world that is desperate and with needs that we so frequently miss or do not acknowledge. I made the enemy angry because I decided to become aggressive in my search for my place in the Kingdom.
The study group on Sunday’s had become powerful and anointed. The enemy tried to stir up with dissention among those participants but we bonded together and stood on the Word. We were determined to walk forward. I was determined.
I first discovered this lump in my breast when I was heavily involved in ISOM…learning about miracles and having the boldness to believe God’s Word to be true. Also, I was ‘believing’ and planning on the mission trip to Kenya. I simply told God that I did not have time for this and He would have to fix it. I had my study group to pray with me on more than one occasion. The lump seemed to go away, but when I got to Kenya it re appeared, larger than before. I reminded God that this was his problem. BELIEVING THE WORD…this is what we learned in ISOM and through our study group.
My focus was on the preparation for going to Africa. I was about to go on a journey of a lifetime and I was not about to let anything stop me. I thought to myself, “Surely God will take care of me!” I never gave it another thought and proceeded to prepare for my journey.
On 11/10/2008 God woke me up to tell me, “Evelyn, when you go to Africa-it will be as Moses to Mt. Sinai. This is your Mt. Sinai. You will see Me, you will know Me in a different way.” This was very frightening to me but an awesome revelation…To be able to see God as Moses. How Awesome! I had no idea the significance of these words, but I wrote them down in my journal. I simply knew that I had to go o Africa.
As the New Year (2009) approached, the Holy Spirit challenged me with my reading the Scriptures. He said, if you will read as I direct you, it will be as the walls of Jericho, on the 7th day I will tear down the strongholds that have held you back. Nothing is impossible for God. I will tear them down one by one. This may seem strange to some, but because my eyes tire easily, I placed the Scripture reading on my IPOD. I had the scheduled reading that Pastor Diana had given to us in ISOM. I would read (or listen on the IPOD) the scheduled reading from Sunday through Saturday each morning. This would take me about 2 hours in the early time before most people get out of bed. I repeated this each day for the entire week. By Saturday of each week, I had gone through the Scripture reading 7 times…as the walls of Jericho fell, so will the strongholds that have held you back! I proceeded to follow the direction of the Holy Spirit, even while in Africa. As the Word was hid in my heart it became alive in my spirit. Walls began to fall. In Africa my right breast began to ache and I knew that the lump had not gone away but in fact had grown. I said alright Lord, when I return to the States; I will see the doctor but you must take care of me right now. During the 2nd week of ministry in Kenya, my brother had a heart attack in Florida. What could I do but pray. The team prayed for him and it seemed like all was well. 
It did not remain that way. We completed our ministry in Africa and returned to the States. Returning on Friday, I was on the way to Florida on Saturday. Charlie had taken a turn for the worse. I did not understand at first, but God allowed me to lead Charlie to salvation before he was taken home. God had sustained him (Charlie) while I was in Africa to give me an opportunity to lead through the sinner’s prayer. This was a beginning of a new level for me.
After we buried Charlie, it was time for me to see the doctor myself. I knew this was to be, although I could not understand why God just did not heal me outright. I went to see Dr. John Rice and was immediately sent for a mammogram. With the mammogram, I was immediately sent for a CT of the chest that revealed a 7cm tumor in my breast that needed to be removed. I was scheduled to see a surgeon the very next day and my friend Beverly said no, that is not the one you need to see. There is a surgeon named William Hoagland, he is one who is known as one who prays with his patients. It would be at least 2 weeks before I could see this man, but the peace of God surrounded me and I knew it was the right thing to do. Oh, how God does the foolish to confound the wise. Waiting in the world’s term was not a good thing, but God is no respecter of time, He simply is.
Through a series of ‘connections’ I was lead to Dr. Hoagland who is a Christian. He immediately without a second thought said that surgery was mandated. Many thoughts went through my mind, but with the peace of God, I said OK…when do we do this? What came to me then was the story of Shadrach, when the king asked him, “Can your God deliver you?” His answer was, “Yes He can.” God was able to rescue him, but even if He didn’t he still wouldn’t worship anyone else but the true God.
We discussed the surgery and the possibility of radiation and/or even chemotherapy. I told Dr. Hoagland that it was alright because I was not going to have to deal with those things; my greater physician had already spoken to me. Amazing enough, he looked at me and said, I think I know who you are talking about. This was my first meeting with Dr. Hoagland and I knew why God had me wait 2 weeks to get in to see him. Time is not a problem with God and He will not be rushed. His time is perfect even with a difficult situation.
I had mixed emotions, not about God’s ability to heal, but more with, do I want to be healed. Sometimes the flesh is very weary and one gets tired…this is called self-pity when you put a name on it. I knew that God could heal me but I sort a felt that I wanted to go home and be with the Father. God began to show me how selfish this was. I began to see that many people were not only praying for me, but were watching how I deal with things. Denial was not the issue; I had to choose to be healed. I had to receive that gift that was offered.
The rumor mill had already begun. I heard things such as sin in Evelyn’s life, or Evelyn is in denial of being sick and has been all along. The Holy Spirit reminded me of Joshua. God did not remove the Giants from the land, He instructed Joshua to possess the land that was filled with giants. 
God did not keep Daniel from the lion’s den but kept him while he was in the lion’s den. He did not keep Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego from being thrown into the furnace but walked with them while they were in the fire. Yes, I believe in divine health and I believe in the God, Jehovah Rapha; but I also know that there are some things that happen for the Glory of God. Lazarus died while Jesus was away, but ‘for the Glory of God’…he came forth.
When I walked into Dr. Hoagland’s office I knew immediately why I had to wait. The Spirit of God was all over him. Upon examination there was no hesitation, the tumor must be removed, as it was already very large with lymph node involvement. On June 25th, 2009 I had a right radical mastectomy (complete) with the removal of a 7cm tumor and 19 lymph nodes. Biopsy revealed that the tumor was cancerous, with 7 of the 19 lymph nodes already with infiltrating ductal carcinoma.
Dr. Hoagland prayed for me in the operating room before he did surgery on me. This was awesome and I knew that I was in the right hands. We are an open epistle for the world to see!
My recovery from the surgery was uneventful at first. Then the day came that I sneezed and fractured my rib. Yes, fractured my rib. This was the morning that I sent an email to Pastor Steve and Pastor Diana, because I cried out to God and said that, “ if you are a man that does not lie (and I know this to be true) then you died for ALL my pains, this has to go away.” The pain was so terrific that I screamed loudly but no one but God was there. I knew in my heart that this was a definite indication that the cancer had spread to the bone. I have been an oncology nurse for over 20yrs and knew that spontaneous fractures often occur with bone cancer. I can remember that I had no fear because fear comes from the unknown. I knew at this very moment what was ahead. I cried out to God and said very boldly to Him, I do not always understand the path that we must take but if you are taking me down this path, I stand on your promise that Jesus is my healer, my Jehovah Rapha. I cannot bear this pain. If you died for me and you took my pain, then take it away now. 
You are a man who cannot lie and this pain must be gone. About 24hrs later I was pain free. By the time I had a chest x-ray my ribs were back in alignment. God had responded to my call.
The next step was to see the Oncologist. I knew who I wanted to see, but I asked Dr. Hoagland’s recommendation…of course he recommended Dr Patrick Williams, who is also a believer. This was confirmation for me because this was my choice. It would be almost a month before I could see Dr. Williams. Again, I saw that God does not get in a hurry because time was not a problem, He created time.
When I did see Dr Patrick Williams, I shared with him what had happened with my ribs and he sighed because he knew also what this indicated. We did a PET scan on July 21st, 2009 that revealed multiple skeletal lesions on my ribs, clavicle, humorous and hip bones. The cancer had already spread to these areas. When Dr. Williams called to give me this report, he said he was so sorry to give me bad news. I told him, not to fear because it was going to be alright. God had taken care of it.
I do not question or even ask God why this affliction came upon me. He has shown me that Christians will suffer many things. He never promised that we would not go through things…in fact many are the afflictions of the righteous. He told Joshua that the battle was already won, but did Joshua not have to fight? Yes! My victory has been won, but I still must put on the armor of God and run the race. As with Joshua and as with King David…I will push forward in victory…knowing that the battle is already won. I have known from the beginning, whether I live or die it will be to the glory of God.
The Holy Spirit had spoken to me and said that this is not a sickness unto death but that the Son of Man may be glorified.
It was a difficult time because this was a path that I had not taken before. 
To be at the mercy of others and requiring assistance for the menial, daily tasks was not easy…very difficult for me. I stayed with my son for a week or so then chose to return to my own apartment.
Interestingly enough, because the cancer had already spread to my bones chemotherapy was not an option. Radiation was not indicated either. The Holy Spirit had already spoken to me and said that I would not do chemotherapy or radiation, God had it all under control. Dr. Williams was grieved when he told me the report. My words to him were, “You do not define when I live or die; only God can do that. You are simply a vessel used of God to accomplish His will.” Again, God did the foolish to confound the wise. What was meant for bad (spread of cancer) was the very thing that stopped them from giving me chemotherapy. Awesome!
We did an MRI of the brain. This revealed a tumor approx 12×15 cm or about the size of a pea….sitting on the front of my skull/brain. I was told that it was putting pressure on my brain. Did I have any symptoms the Dr. asked me? Absolutely not was my answer. God has already told me He would take care of me. Dr. Williams said that should any symptoms occur we would proceed with radiation therapy. Well I sighed, my God has told me that I would not have to deal with radiation so guess what? There will be no symptoms to occur. Part of the skull bulging into the brain! WOW! Because I had NO symptoms, radiation was not an option. Now is this not just like the Father!!!!
When I saw Dr. Williams (Oncologist) on Monday, we confirmed that I will have no radiation, because the cancer has already spread to the bones and I do not have symptoms. I will have no chemo because the treatment for this cancer is the hormone blocking agent that I was already taking. Is this not just like God…he told me early on that I would not have to have radiation or chemo! Awesome for sure! 
I told Dr. Williams that the next PET scan we do will have a totally different report. His answer to me was, Evelyn I have no doubt!
When I saw Dr. Hoagland (surgeon) on Tuesday, I told him also that the next PET scan will have a totally different report. He told me that he wanted to see me in 4 months, because he wanted to see what God was doing for me. How awesome is this.
On Wednesday night, I began to share with some of the people about what God had done…no radiation and no chemo. I felt a release that I had not felt till now. Eva had been praying for me and told me that she felt God was going to perform a tremendous miracle…even to the restoration of my breast. When the Holy Spirit had me come forward, it was like confirmation and a PUBLIC DECLARATION to the enemy that the victory was won and the manifestation was on its way. I learned in ISOM that ‘creative miracles’ are those that we speak into being through speaking the Word and declaring the promises. I know that God is not a man that He can lie so the manifestation has to be so. The flesh has a tendency to not be so bold because ‘doubt’ creeps in and we let our ‘pride’ hold us back.
I do not walk in the flesh but in the spirit and by the spirit I am healed 100% not part way but entirely. The manifestation will come and I will walk forward and profess it to be so. If God can raise my granddaughter from the dead (Sarah) 19 years ago, not once by twice…He can most assuredly put back together this body that He created! If He can declare it so in front of the church, then I will hold Him accountable to His Words. I am as the woman with the issue of blood, I have touched the hem of His garment…I have been made whole.
I realized through all of this that people are watching me closely. How I act, how I react, what I profess…everything about me from family, friends, co-workers, professionals. We do affect many people when we make choices. I want that my walk be a testimony that will bring more people into the saving grace of Jesus.
God is so good! I was blessed with the opportunity to go to Reinhard Bonnke’s Firestorm event in October where ‘signs and wonders’ seem to follow him. He prayed corporately and spoke to the name cancer that it be gone. On October 27th I had a follow up MRI of the brain that showed a reduction in the size of those lesions. Why they were not completely gone…oh well, I still trust God and He knows what He is doing. I just know that He said it would be alright.
Interestingly enough, I was simply taking Femara which is a hormone blocking agent, specific for the breast cancer. We have not treated the bone cancer nor the tumors indicated in the MRI. God has been faithful with His promise. I have had no pain. I have had no symptoms that generally go with bone cancer especially with indications of pressure to the brain matter! (J I can only praise God that He is my healer…my Jehovah Rapha…the God that healeth me. I have stood on His promise.
On February 16th 2010 it was time for another PET scan. Remember I had told both Dr. Hoagland and Dr. Williams that the next PET scan we would do, would have a very different result. Let me read to you exactly what it says:
The previously identified multiple hypermetabolic skeletal metastases have completely resolved.
Not part way, not a little bit but COMPLETELY. In Latin, my chaplain said that the word completely meant, ‘it is done, it is finished, it is complete’. Awesome!
What an awesome God who does not lie, but does what He says He will do.
I know that I am not the only one who has been touched by a miracle. But the Spirit speaks to me and says that the enemy is defeated by the Blood of the Lamb and the Word of our testimony. I think of the ten lepers who went to Jesus for healing. Jesus spoke and said you are healed, but go to the priest and secure the document that says you are clean. That was the culture of that time for them to have documented proof of healing. One of those 10 returned to tell Jesus thank you. I have my document in my hand and I say “Thank you God for what you have done for me.”
God is not finished with me as He has promised complete restoration. His time and His way, in any event I will stand and see the salvation of God