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Chandra... My life was good until four years ago when my husband was in a terrible accident... this is my story! 

I was saved in 1997, but my family and I went without a church for a long time.  One day my daughter and I visited the Nazarene Church while my husband attended somewhere else.   After attending the Nazarene Church I knew that this was the right church for our family.  I told my husband that we would be happy at this new church, and we both agreed to take our family to this new church. 

Life was busy, but it was good.  We really didn't know just how good we had it until the accident happened.   The accident happened about four years ago.  It was a terrible unexpected accident.  My husband had gone out with friends, desiring time alone and peace from our busy family life, and the next day the accident happened.  Instead of peace, he received severe permanent paralysis to his right arm. 

My husband was driving a snowmobile in the freezing snow when things started to go wrong.  He was almost back to the cabin when his faceshield froze.  This caused him to not be able to see and led to his accident. 

Life for me and our seven children has never been the same since the accident.  My husband has had several surgeries, but none have taken the pain away.  The hardest part is learning to trust God and find my place in life.  I used to never be concerned or afraid of the future, but this has changed.  Because of the accident my husband lives with pain all the time.  As my husband suffers, I have found that I am living with a whole new person.  Because of the accident, our children and I have had to make life changes. 

Not long ago we were led to a new pain doctor and today my husband's pain is covered by 70-80%.  I believe that God helped us find this new pain doctor, and I praise Him.  My husband's accident has brought us closer together and to God.  I have become a more patient person as we continues to deal with the accident. 

My husband's construction business has been a challenge to our family, but God is taking care of us.  It is a miracle that my husband is now able to work with the loss of his right arm.   I want to include in my testimony a few verses that have helped me, my husband, and family during our darkest days, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. "  Matthew 11:28, and "Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory." II Timothy 2:10.  

My life has changed dramatically since the accident. Because of what we have experienced with the accident, I know that God can get us through anything that comes our way.  As I learn to trust Him more, He sustaines me and continues to work in my families lives. 
Chandra Nierman, Angola Church of the Nazarene
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 Cheryl Roland's Testimony given at Come to the Fire, November 2009

Pete and Pat went on a fishing trip. They rented an old cabin by the waters’ edge and after a long day of fishing they retired for the night. They had just fallen into a deep sleep when all of a sudden Pat sat straight up in bed screaming.
“Pete, Pete, I’m suffocating. Open the window! “Quick, quick, I can’t breathe.”

Pete stumbled out of bed in the darkness of the night. He tried with all his might to open the window but he couldn’t get it to budge. “It won’t open, Pat! It just won’t open!” “Break it!” Pat screamed. “I’m suffocating!” “I have to have some air or I will die.” Pete picked up his old heavy boot and shattered the glass.

Pat breathed a deep sigh of relief and they both settled down for a good night’s sleep. The next morning, much to their surprise, Pat hadn’t broken the window at all – but the dresser mirror.

For nearly 18 years I too experienced a reoccurring, suffocating sensation. In various degrees, paralyzing panic, robbed me of God’s peace! I was a Christian. Why did I have such faithless fear?

Amy Carmichael observed, “Have you ever thought how infectious fear can be? It spreads from one person to another more quickly and certainly that any of the fevers we know so well.”

I was raised in a loving, Christian home, but both parents, in their efforts to protect me, taught me to fear. Then, after years of infertility, I too became a mother and through my best efforts to protect God’s precious gifts, my fears multiplied and intensified to a chilling choke hold.

Author, Dr. Susan Jeffers, describes two layers of fear. Maybe you can relate to some of these situational fears: Storms, small spaces, heights, the fear of drowning, driving, or of riding in an airplane. How about snakes, spiders, mice, rats, bats, germs, cancer, financial loss, or the loss of a loved one? Each of these situations prompts our innate protective response … but each of these situations can be paralyzing when irrational, unhealthy fear controls.

Not only was I paralyzed in fear, but my fears affected the entire family. I was easily frustrated, irritable, and angry when family members didn’t accommodate my rules of protection. Our lives were swallowed up by the fear that dominated my mind.

Depending on the day, I was unable to travel, eat in a restaurant, or sleep in a motel. Our vacations were tempered by my unhealthy perceptions of cleanliness and safety. Often self pity and shame kept me from experiencing God’s joy and peace and patience. Much of the time, I was exhausted and weary with worry.

It’s true, Satan tries to exhaust us but God wants to exalt us by turning our fear into faith, hope and trust in Him.

The second layer of fear involves the ego. Oh, we must be careful. An acrostic for ego is “Edging God Out!”

Our “ego” fears embarrassment, rejection, or making a mistake. Decision making can be a painful process not only for the fear filled – but for those who live with us. Dr. Jeffers refers to the internal “chatterbox” that keeps us confused and disoriented, and magnifies our insecurities.

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Several years ago, on a Sunday morning, my husband asked me if I would like to stop at McDonalds for breakfast before church.

My first response was “yes.” So he swerved to the right lane preparing to exit.

The chatterbox began … “What are you thinking? McDonald’s hamburgers and French fries, that’s what makes big fat thighs.” Who knows what Egg McMuffins will do to you?”

I spoke … “No, let’s not stop at McDonalds.” So he swerved to the left lane.

The chatterbox … “Cheryl, it isn’t fair for you to worry about calories when he might need something to eat before he preaches, how thoughtless you are!” “Well, I could probably drink a cup of coffee, if you’d like to stop.” So he swerved back to the right lane. After changing lanes several times we turned into the McDonald’s parking lot only to discover a policeman pulling in behind us with lights flashing.

That policeman suspected that my husband, a District Superintendent in the Church of the Nazarene, had been drinking and made him get out of the car and walk a straight line.

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When fear rules, even the most insignificant decisions become monumental. We must claim God’s promise, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom!” His Word also instructs us that praising God silences the enemy! Command Satan’s imps to be still in Jesus’ name!

Our “ego” fears rejection, failure, and disapproval. I face these, as I stand vulnerable before you. Oh I still care what you think and sometimes He causes me to tremble … but glory, honor and praise are due our Lord Jesus Christ, for He has set me FREE!

Prior to God’s healing power in my life, Satan, the voice of fear, was either accusing me or excusing. Fear was like the rodents I detested, gnawing holes in my heart. It rotted every relationship and robbed me of peace, patience, love and joy.

Fear condemned my efforts to serve the Lord and created a vacuum of disobedience and debate when God was calling me to push through the boundaries of my discomfort.

Fear bred and fed all my insecurities. I was intimidated by other Christian women who had peace and confidence. One author wrote, “Fear makes strangers of people who would be friends.” I was weary with worry ….lonely and jealous, self conscious, negative, and judgmental. All of these are ways Satan temps us to ”edge God out!”

Fear distorted my views of Jesus Christ. Oh, He was my Helper, the One who rescued me when I was frightened, but I failed to revere Him as my “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

On August 18, 1990, I crumbled to my knees and whispered, “God”. A deep hunger and thirst for righteousness consumed me. For five days I had no desire for food or sleep. His Words became Light and Life to me.

“Come now let us reason together, says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson they shall be like wool.” “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of wicked.”

God’s soothing words continued, “I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for Me?” The room seemed to fill with a warm glowing light that caused my heart to throb and tears to flow. His kind instruction continued,

“Submit yourself to God. Cheryl. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands, you are a sinner, and purify your heart, it’s double minded.” Hebrews 12:10 says, “God disciplines us for our good that we may share in His holiness.”

God’s voice of discipline was firm, yet filled with love. “I will give you a new heart, and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of [fear] and give you a heart of love. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.”

“For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of love, and of power, and of a sound mind.” There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out all fear.”

That day I was sanctified, cleansed of SELF: Self absorption, self centeredness, self consciousness, self deception, self denial, self government, self interest, self pity, self protection, self reliance, and self seeking .

I was filled with God’s precious Holy Spirit! Oh, the love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self control … Gifts of our Awesome God! Treasures of His inheritance flowed over me.

The greatest adventure of my life is to declare that God’s perfect love has released me from fear and its’ torments. I am free - yes FREE INDEED!

Free from the sin of idolatry. In all the light of Jesus, He revealed to me that I was more concerned about being safe, controlling my environment, and protecting my children, than I was about knowing and pleasing the King of Kings!

From the moment I surrendered my all to Jesus Christ, I was filled with courage to love, laugh and enjoy the abundant life. Through the power of God’s Holy Spirit, we can have the mind of Christ, the mouth of Christ, and the mood of Christ.

Not to discount the vital importance of professional and medical treatment, my panic attacks were spiritual attacks. Like Jeremiah I prayed, “Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed, save me and I will be saved, for YOU are the One I praise!” God’s healing power flowed over me!

Oh, I still have a wave of anxiety when a mouse crosses my path. I am a slow decision maker and I continue to hover over my children and grandchildren, but I have a peace and blessed assurance that Jesus is in control and with His strength I can handle it! Whatever IT is!

Today … the Lord continually works within me, renewing my mind, sanctifying my thoughts and desires. He fills me with courage to obey His voice. His Word is such a joy I can hardly explain it. Prayer is sweet communion as His Holy Spirit makes my spirit holy and full of love while I intercede for others. My deepest goal is to exalt the Lord and glorify Him forever!

Psalms 34:1-4 is my prayer and praise. “I will bless the Lord at all times. His praise shall continually be on my lips. My soul shall boast in the Lord. Let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Come glorify the Lord with me and let us exalt Him name together. For I sought the Lord and He answered me and He delivered me from all my fears!” Blessed be the name of the Lord!

Breathe in His goodness and let everything that has breath … praise the Lord!
Cheryl Roland, NEI District Women's Ministries Director

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Debi...after attending the 2007 Women's Retreat, I felt God telling me I needed to do something. I didn't know if the chair would hold me... This is my story!

In late spring 2007 I got a call from my friend Laura, who is like my mom to me, informing me that she purchased tickets for us to attend the Nazarene Women’s District Retreat in Ft Wayne. At first I was excited to go, but as the retreat grew closer, dread started to set in. Would the chair break under my weight in front of all those ladies? Would they stare at me because of my size? Would they whisper behind my back? They wouldn’t know that I was heavy because of medical problems. All they would see was a person that ate 24/7. I wanted to back out of going and run and hide, but GOD kept tugging at my heart. He told me that I had to go, something was going to change in me, and that I had to be there.

As I entered the dinning room, Friday night of retreat, I was racked with fear. I didn't know if the chair would hold me. What if it folded under me in front of all the ladies?  I could hardly walk but I made it to the chair. After dinner, Sylvia Harney, special speaker for the event, began to speak. From the moment she started talking I felt like it was just her and I in the room. I felt like she was talking to me, just me. Everything she said went straight to my heart. When I went to my room that night my heart was heavy; I was restless and unable to sleep. The next morning there was a full blown storm raging inside of me. I knew GOD was talking to me and I knew that God was using this retreat to help me find my way back to him. As we sat eating breakfast that morning I wondered if anyone else was affected like me? I wondered if anyone besides me was going though a raging storm inside their heart?
God’s presence didn't end when I left the retreat Saturday afternoon; it kept brewing and growing. God gave me a very clear message, that I had to loose weight, and that He had a plan for me. But I didn’t understand how it would happen. I began trying all the weigh loss programs that I could find, but nothing worked. Most of the time these plans caused me to gain weight.

As usual I tried to do it alone (I can be as hardheaded as the Israelites.) By Thanksgiving all I did was cry. I knew that if I didn’t loose weight, I would not live to the end of 2008. I knew that I would not be alive to watch my children and grandchildren grow. These thoughts brought me to my knees in prayer. After spending much of my days in prayer, I surrendered it all to GOD.

I had known for years about lap band surgery, and I also knew without it I would die. There was no way I could get the surgery because our insurance refused to pay for any type of weight loss surgery. I kept asking God to show me HIS will. At this point in my life, I was 450 pound and dying a little bit each day. I could hardly walk to the bathroom or go anywhere outside my home without help from someone.

As Christmas drew near, I was at a point of complete desperation, what was I do? I cried out to God, please let YOUR will be done. I felt God wanted me to live after attending the Women’s Retreat, but I did not know how it would all work out. I cried through Christmas and was filled with deep desperation. My prayer was a prayer of surrender to GOD, and for HIS will to be done.

Then on December 27, 2007, I was given the gift of a life time. I was given the money to go to Mexico to have the lap band surgery. From this point, everything happened in fast forward. I had researched a doctor in Mexico for several years and I knew he had good credentials, so I contacted him. He wanted to see me quickly. I started on the pre-op diet immediately, and the surgery date was set for January 8, 2008, Juarez, Mexico. My husband and I flew down on January 7, 2008 to El Paso, Texas, and stayed the night. The next day we drove to the hospital in Mexico, a hospital that had just opened November 2007. It was an awesome place. I had surgery later that day. When I woke from surgery I had major problem with pain because of other health problems, so the doctor stayed with me all through the night and through the next day. He was amazing. I was released from the hospital after the 2nd day and my husband and I stayed in Texas five more days to give me time to heal before we flew home.

I enjoyed the 2008 NEI Women's Retreat this year, especially after loosing over 130 pounds. As I continue to loose weight, it is hard to believe how much GOD has worked in my life this past year. God started something great in my heart at Women’s Retreat 2007 and he continues to work in my life. In the past, I was busy in worldly thing, and I overlooked God's wonder and precious gifts. My trials have changed me; my walk with Christ has gotten sweeter! I have a new saying that I try to live by, "Don't tell God how big your problem is; tell your problem how big your God is."  Now I am more aware of His amazing,  wonderful blessings that I receive each day. No matter how big or small, I know that He blesses my life each day.  I am in awe of how God works in my life. 
Debi Jenkins, Grace Point Church of the Nazarene

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Mary...I prayed for my husband for 22 years, that he would become a Christian, look where it got me...This is my story!

My father was a minister; I was born and raised in the church. As I aged I did not want what the church had to offer and I backslid. When I married Greg neither one of us were Christians. Greg was raised Catholic, and my background was Nazarene, so we came from different religious beliefs that clashed. In 1980 Greg told me he wanted to go to church. I really did not want to go because I knew if I went back to church, I would give my heart back to the Lord. I had been living in guilt and had been very lonely for a relationship with the Lord for a long time. I longed for a relationship with the Lord. I longed to be close to God like I had in my earlier days. When Greg said he would check to see what time Catholic mass started, I was happy. I did not know much about the Catholic Church, but I knew a lot about Christ and the Nazarene Church which was one place I did not want to go.

We attended the church of his choice, not like the Nazarene church I had been brought up in. When we got home, Greg said he did not like the service and did not want to go back. I decided to call my Mom to see what time the Nazarene Church started and to take Greg to my home church. After attending church for two month, one day after the pastor preached, we both went to the altar. It is amazing how it happened. Greg and I were sitting together and at the same time Greg started towards the altar, going out of the pew to the right, I went out of the pew on the other side. We were both saved that day. It was so good to go home, feel clean inside and to not worry where my soul would go when I died. I had been saved many times as a child, but on this day I made a commitment to stay with God. I would later find that this commitment did not hold for my husband.

There were several things that led to my husband’s falling away from the Lord. He had been active in the church, serving on the church board, Sunday School, driving the Sunday School Bus and more, but he was very restless. A situation with our son gave him the excuse he needed to quit going to the church. His comment to me, “If I can’t control my own home and child then I won’t go to church.”

Life at this time became more difficult. Greg’s resistance to God and church left me miserable and in many arguments where we bumped heads. I was torn between what to do each day as I attempted to live a Christian life. As our fighting escalated, I made plans in my head how to leave him. I decided I would just go, leaving him everything. I believed that nothing was worth fighting over. During this time, I continued to attend church. When I would go to church Greg didn’t like it. He would say things to our dog like, “Mommy is leaving us again.” This made me feel quilty for going to church and leaving Greg at home.  I found myself living in the same house with Greg, going through all the motions, but we were never together.

While attending church alone, without Greg, there was a couple of ladies who knew I needed help. I had been to the altar many times, and they noticed that I cried all the time at church. They asked me if they could be my prayer partner, and we began a special relationship. These women met me for prayer during my lunch time and we would pray. Sometimes we would fast and pray. On Wednesday nights I met with my prayer partner for accountability. Without these women I don’t know what I would have done. These women listened to my deepest hurts and desires and then they encouraged me to walk closer to the Lord. These wonderful praying women encouraged me to talk freely with them. Satan wanted me to believe I could not talk to anyone, but I knew that these praying women could be trusted. Some days these two women and their prayers were all that kept me going.

This past April, 2008 Cheryl Roland called and asked me to remind Greg that the NEI District Motorcycle ride was coming soon. I had plans to go to Tennessee with a friend, so I told my husband he could go with a friend Walter. He was excited about the ride and made plans to participate. At the ride, Greg met Pastor Mark Dill, Muncie First Church, who said a powerful prayer before the ride. After the motorcycle ride Greg came home very excited, especially about Mark Dill’s prayer. At home Greg began to tell me how he wanted to attend Pastor Mark’s church. I was very reluctant to do this since I had attended Southsouth since I was 4 years old, almost 55 year. I did not want to change churches especially if this meant that he would be happy for a few Sundays and then stop going. I asked Greg if he was inviting me to go, and if he was I would go. When we went to First Church he liked it a lot. We attended First Church two more time before the District Camp meeting started in June.

I knew that our district camp meeting was coming, but because I did not want to go alone, I attended camp meeting in OH with a friend. On my way home from OH Greg called me and asked if we could attend the Nazarene Camp meeting service. I was excited that he was interested in going and told him yes. I barely got home from one camp meeting to get in the car and drive to another. We went Sunday and Monday night and then on Tuesday night my husband walked the isle to ask forgiveness and to ask God back into his life.

After camp meeting Greg went to the Harley shop and testified the next day to his friend about Jesus. He is now making hospital visits, nursing home visits, and has joined two Christian Motorcycle groups. My husband and I study the Bible every morning from 5-5:30 am and pray. In the evening we read and pray again before we go to sleep. Because I wanted to attend church with my husband, I talked to my former pastor, and resigned my positions in my home church and began attending church with my husband. My pastor understood and supported my decision and prayed with me.

I want to encourage women to never give up. I know that Satan can discourage you, like he did me, but I found that God can still work. Another thing that really helped me was that I was consistent in attending church. When I made a commitment to God, I continued to go to church and pray and walk with the Lord even without Greg. I can not say it enough, if your husband or spouse is not saved, get a prayer partner and pray. I prayed for my husband for 22 years, that he would become a Christian, and God answered my prayer. 
Mary Statom, Muncie First Church of the Nazarene

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Greg, Mary Statom's husband  I made the choice to leave God...The devil tempted me to dig in deeper... I was under his control.  Mary used to go to church alone while I stayed home to mow the grass. While Mary was  at church, I would sit in my rocking chair, chew tobacco, and drink beer...This is my Story! 

About 22 years ago I used to be a Christian, but things came up and I walked away from God. I had been on the church board, but differences and disputes in my family discouraged me, and I made the choice to leave God. God didn’t leave me. I walked away. I should have been obedient to him, but I wasn’t. It was a long road for me; I was in the devil’s hands. The devil tempted me to dig in deeper, lied to me, and got a big grip on me. I was under his control.

I used to think about coming back to the Lord, but I had a heart of stone. My head was like an anvil; you could not talk to me or get anything through to me when you talked to me. You probably could not have even beaten anything about God into my head. During my time away from God, the devil continued to lie to me. He said, "You can’t go back to the Lord. It will never be the same.” I believed this lie, a lie from Satan.

While I was away from God, people were praying for me. Later, when I gave my testimony in my home church, I asked people to stand who had been praying for me. It was amazing what I saw. I witnessed people from all over the congregation rising to their feet. I was amazed at the number of folks praying for me. My comment to these wonderful praying Christians: “I never had much of a chance.” I thought I had a chance when I married a preacher’s daughter, but I soon found that I needed more. I needed a personal relationship with Christ.

During my days of struggle, I attended a church and the pastor preached on the church of Laodicia in Revelations. The sermon was on being lukewarm, neither cold nor hot. I felt God tugging on my heart during this service, but I told myself I was not going to the altar.

God started answering prayers when my wife and her friend went to a camp meeting service in Ohio. I knew while they were gone that they were praying for me. My wife, Mary, and I had talked about going to the NEI District camp meeting when she returned, and I agreed to go with her. I decided I would go if she got back in time on Sunday. When Mary got back on Sunday, she informed me that the preacher had spoke on Laodicia, being lukewarm, and I told her that I should have attended with her. When the time came for us to go to camp meeting, although I had promised I would go with Mary, I put it off. I did not go on Sunday night or Monday night. When Tuesday night came, I wanted to go. I thought of a friend I used to pray with at work who could not get out. I knew that my friend would love to go, but needed help getting there. We decided to take go, all three of us.

The evangelist spoke about holiness and about the temple and the veil being torn in two, from the top to the bottom. He said that we could enter into the holy of holies and have as much of Jesus Christ as we want. In the past I had heard holiness preaching, and I was walking in the light that I had, but at times some of the theology became confusing. The evangelist said, whenever we hear holiness preached, substitute the word "holiness" for "Christ-likeness". I knew I was not Christ-like. He said some of us need to come and plunge right in. My brother-in-law, Darryl, was sitting on the outside, and I was kind of blocked in. I got up to go to the altar and Darryl started to get up, but he was not getting up fast enough so I gave him a little forearm push to get around him. I went and threw myself at the altar of prayer. I thank God for altars in churches.

At the altar while praying, my tears flowing down my cheeks and my face, I had a vision. I dabbed my fingers in my tears and wrote my name on the altar. Another vision that I had was of me kneeling at the foot of the cross, and I saw Christ’s blood dripping down. I took my finger and wrote my name in his blood on His cross. I call it holy graffiti.

I am now clean through the blood of Jesus Christ. I know now that Christ died on the cross and died for me while I was a sinner. Things around my home have changed. Mary used to leave go to church alone while I stayed home to mow the grass. While Mary was gone, I would sit in my rocking chair, chew tobacco, and drink beer. Mary knew I was not right with the Lord, and this is why she prayed for me.

Today we pray together. Before we eat breakfast we spend time in God’s word. We seek God in all that we do. It is my prayer that you don’t see me, Greg, but rather that you see Jesus in me. I want you to know what Jesus is doing with me. I now have a burden for the lost.

I have a picture card that I really like. It is a picture of Jesus standing at the door and knocking. There is no door handle on this door, so Jesus will not enter unless you open the door. What you don’t see on the back of the card is the way my life was without Christ. I had bolted my heart’s door shut with steel bars and chains so that Christ would not come in. But if you look at the front of the card, you will see a small screen, and this is where I allowed the Holy Spirit to come through, bringing thoughts of Jesus Christ to me.

The day after I gave my heart to the Lord, I was outside in my garden working, and the devil began to discourage me. He said, “You are not Christ-like; you have eight packages of chewing tobacco and two cans of Skoal in the house.” I immediately got up, went in the house, and threw these items in the trash. I want Jesus more than I want any of these things. My advice--if you have anything that keeps you from Jesus, get rid of it. Don’t waste 22 years like I did. Life to me before I was saved was like a long, dry desert, with no hope. Before I met Christ, I couldn’t love my wife like I was supposed to love her. I couldn’t love family, church friends, or anybody. I had to love from a distance. But when I gave my heart to Christ, I asked him to make me like David in the Bible who said, “Hide not my heart from thee. “ Now I am happy as I follow after Jesus. I want all of him that I can have.

I ask for your prayers to keep me tender. Please pray that I will be obedient to the Spirit to go to those who He would have me be a witness to. At the shop where I used to work, I was not always the best employee. I got the job done, but I had a bad attitude. I just praise the Lord today that I have changed from my old ways. I praise Him for the old rugged cross.

Today, my life is all about Jesus. What a difference Christ has made in my life and in my family's life. I am praying for you now. I believe it is going to take a close walk to see Him on the other side. Thank you for allowing me to share my Jesus with you.
Greg Statom, First Church of the Nazarene, Muncie, IN

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 Rahab... When Ian Timothy was born...he was the most beautiful baby.  He quickly grew to be a very compassionate toddler with a dazzling smile.  He loved his brother Solomon and we all loved him.  I possibly loved him more than I was supposed to.  He turned three in December 2003 and I began to notice that he was loosing weight.  At the end of January he got sick and began to have seizures.  Within five days he was dead.  He died on February 2, 2004.  I cannot describe to you the pain that I felt...This is my story!

I was born about thirty miles North of Nairobi in Kenya. I am one of ten children born to a couple of peasant farmers. As I grew my mother used to take us to church, but my father never went to church until 1984 when he became a Christian. I made a decision for Christ when I was eighteen years old and it completely changed my life. I got hope and joy I knew that I could do all things through Christ who is able to strengthen me. The small village I grew in was one of those places that people think that nothing good can come from. My family was the least in that place and yet from the day I become a Christian I got a destiny which is assured in Christ.

Within a week of becoming a Christian the Lord impressed on me that he had called me for a purpose and that he was going to use me for his glory. When I finished high school I went home and some Christian brothers came to tell me about a fellowship that they attended. I joined and was discipled there. I also began to share God’s word in schools and villages and it’s in one village that I met Silas.
We got married in 1992. one of the things that I thank God for is that Silas felt called to his work and did not want just a wife, but someone who could compliment him in his work of the ministry. We planted a church 33 miles north of Nairobi in 1994 where we ministered for seven years. In 2000 the lord began to speak to us about full time ministry. I taught in an elementary school and Silas taught in high school. Through his word we were persuaded to go to seminary in 2001 which we did. We finished in 2003 and 2004 consecutively and I thought we were through with seminary until he called us to come to the USA.

Parenting has been quite an experience with us. When I got married I looked forward to getting a baby and became expectant almost immediately. I was ecstatic and I could not wait to have the baby and to see it. But on the day of delivery I lost the baby. You cannot imagine the devastation. At the time my husband was working in a different location so he only came home on weekends. I went from the hospital to an empty house; I was sad and lonely, I had to rely on the Lord’s words 2 Samuel 12:19-22, which helped me to know that I had to move on. Also, this song made me know that I was not moving on alone, but that the lord was going to be with me in this difficult situation

1. It's not an easy road we are trav'ling to Heaven,
For many are the thorns on the way;
It's not an easy road but the Savior is with us,
His presence gives us joy ev'ry day.
CHORUS:
No, no, it's not an easy road,
No, no, it's not an easy road.
But Jesus walks with me and brightens my journey,
And lightens ev'ry heavy load.
2. It's not an easy road, there are trials and troubles,
And many are the dangers we meet;
But Jesus guards and keeps so that nothing can harm us,
And smooth the rugged path for our feet.
CHORUS:
3. Tho' I am often footsore and weary from travel,
Tho' I am often bowed down with care;
A better day is coming when Home in the glory,
We'll rest in perfect peace over there.

This song and many scriptures were my companion. Soon I was happy and ready to have another baby. Solomon was born to us in 1994. When I was expecting Solomon the Lord spoke to me saying that no weapon forged against me would prosper and Solomon was born on the 44th week which is rather long for a pregnancy.

After two years we were expectant again and had a good pregnancy but again I lost the baby at birth. You cannot image the pain. I had a very long labor in which I almost died because I was left unattended as they frantically tried to save the baby. I had asked for a doctor but they did not call him and now they realized their mistake. I did not recover from this quickly. I went into some kind of depression and for a year I could not laugh or sing. I could not understand why I lost my baby. During this time, some people thought my husband was mistreating me. They did not understand my pain. My husband was hurting too. During this time the Lord brought us closer. I continued to struggle with the issue, and finally I come to realization that Job suffered more in that he lost all he had including his family. I released that sometimes we will suffer and we don’t understand the reasons. Our savior suffered himself and he had said that whoever wanted to follow him was to take his cross and follow him. I still do not understand why I lost my son, but I know that it was not in vain. Again I knew that I was not alone. I really had to look to God because he alone has the answers. It was hard to accept the loss because I felt that the hospital was negligent especially because it was a mission hospital.

In Kenya at the beginning of the year we usually have overnight prayers and after a year I went to the overnight prayer and a sister got hold of me and prayed for me. I got out of the depression. I was healed.

After three years I was ready to have another baby. When I became pregnant, brethren and family were excited but I had to be accountable even to acquaintances who knew what I had gone through. They wanted to know where I was going for prenatal care and whether I was seeing a good doctor, which I did. Ian Timothy was born on 23rd, Dec 2000, through caesarian section. He was the most beauty baby and he quickly grew to a very compassionate toddler with a dazzling smile. He loved his brother Solomon and we all loved him. I possibly loved him more than I was supposed to. He turned three in December of 2003 and I began to notice that he was loosing weight. At the end of January he got sick. He began to have seizures and within five days he was dead. He died on 2nd Feb, 2004. I cannot describe to you the pain that I felt. But somehow I remember praying that The Lord would help me not to sin in the way I reacted. I remember that I had not lost as many kids as Job and that I still had Solomon and his father.

During that time we lived in a seminary and the brethren were very supportive. We also felt that the Lord was with us. Somehow we felt the presence of the Lord and the words that were spoken to us, “The Lord is present in times of need.” were very true to us. Earlier in January of that year the Lord had brought this scripture Psalm11:3 ff, to mind which says when the foundations are shaken what will the righteous do. The Lord is in his holy temple the Lord is in his heavenly throne. Those words had brought apprehension to me since I felt that something was going to happen and I did not know what. The Lord had not forsaken as He embraced us with his love. One of the songs that Ian loved is the song I have a maker He formed my heart. The truths in the song applied to us that “he knows my name, he knows my every thought, he sees every tear that falls and hears me when I call.”

During that time the presence of the Lord was very evident. Those were times of sorrow, soul searching and questioning. In those times the Lord was a very present time of help and he did not leave us though we had times when we felt depressed the word of the Lord and the brethren were an encouragement to us.

The Lord has helped us in marriage, through church planting, working as teachers, but also as parents who lost three children. I thank the Lord that he has kept us as a family through all those experiences. We would not have made it and cannot make it without His help. The words of Paul in 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 continue to help us. They state it this way in the NIV.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 5For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. 6If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 7And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort."

We have confidence that the Lord will deliver us and help us in our troubles we have therefore continued in joy because the joy of the Lord is our strength. What have we learned from these experiences?  That Christians will suffer just as their lord suffered. That the Lord uses experiences so that we experience is presence and His love. And, through them we are refined. That we are never alone! That He does not leave us or forsake us, He suffers with us. That God is sovereign.

My name Is Rahab Kinyua. I live in Wilmore Kentucky with my husband Silas Waweru and son Solomon Macharia. We are from Kenya and are in Wilmore because my husband is doing his PhD in intercultural studies in Asbury Seminary. Meanwhile I attend Asbury College where I am working on a Degree in Management and Ethics. Before we come to the USA we pastored a church for seven years then attended a seminary where I got a diploma in Christian ministry. I am an elementary school teacher and taught for twelve years as well as pastoring. I love to travel, read and share about Jesus. I hope that my testimony will be helpful.
Rahab, Wilmore Kentucky
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 Sharon... As a teenager I gave my heart to the Lord and it was an awesome feeling. I felt so good and close to God that I wanted my family to get saved. This did not happen, and without Christian support in my life, it wasn't long before I strayed away from the Lord… Later in life, I was afraid to attend church, remembering how the church used to be, not allowing make-up, jewelry, no slacks for ladies etc...This is my story!

I was not raised in a Christian home, neither of my parents were Christians. The way I got to church was when neighbors took me. As a child I attended a Nazarene Church, and later, when I was a teenager, I attended the Nazarene Church in Bluffton. As a teenager I gave my heart to the Lord and it was an awesome feeling. I felt so good and close to God that I wanted my family to get saved. This did not happen, and without Christian support in my life, it wasn't long before I strayed away from the Lord.

Later in life, when I was married to Dick, after being previously divorced, I was ashamed to go to the Nazarene Church. I felt like I would not be accepted, so I went church hopping and shopping, never finding a church home.

When my sister in Texas got sick with cancer she came to Bluffton and spent her last days with me. During this time, Pastor Dan White and Ralph Beals came to visit. It was during this visit that Pastor Dan asked me if I was ready to accept the Lord as my Savior. I prayed, and this is when I started my new life in Him. There were no fireworks, so I was concerned, but I knew something had happened in me.
I was afraid to attend church, remembering how the church used to be, not allowing make-up, jewelry, no slacks for ladies etc... but I found that the Bluffton Nazarene Church was very accepting. I learned that God wants us at church no matter what we wear.

God has changed me and I have a desire to serve Him. I remember the first time I was nominated to District Assembly. It was such an honor. To me it was God's assurance that He loved me and that I was His and that He would use me. There have been lots of valleys in my life, but I know that I am not alone, He is with me. I was given a musical CD of a group from God's Bible College, and there is a song on it that I really like. I believe the words of the song, God says you're going to make it.

Today is March 1, 2009, and I want to thank the Lord for three things. The first thing that I want to thank Him for is that I am now cancer free. Two years ago, I was diagnosed with cancer, and I, like most people, had to have chemo treatments. The second thing that I want to thank God for is that during my cancer treatments I was never sick, and I did not experience any pain. The third thing that I want to thank God for is that during my illness my three children accepted the Lord as their Savior. I didn’t ask the Lord for cancer, but I praise Him today for what He did through me.
Sharon Bouchez, Bluffton First Church of the Nazarene 

Special note...In April 2010, Sharon Bouchez's cancer returned and she went to heaven to meet Jesus!  She left behind a multitude of friends and a family that loved her very much.  She is missed and will always be remembered as a wonderful Christian wife, mother and grandmother.