Oasis of Hope

Blog 7

Oasis of Hope

I have been in this place- Oasis of Hope Hospital for Alternative Cancer Treatment in Tijuana Mexico- for almost 21 days. 

Here is a place where people from all over the world come, some of whom have been told there is little or no hope for them. I've heard countless stories from people here who said that after talking to Dr. Contreras (the leading doctor) that they finally had hope again. Here they receive a series of therapies that would assist the body to heal- Vitamin C, Vitamin K for Vitamin C absorption,  Vitamin B 17 (latril), ozone and UV treatment, hypothermia (heating the body), and dentritic vaccines made from one’s own cells. A strict sugarless, gluten-free, vegan diet and supplements would continue to aid the process.

Hyperthermal treatment

Vegan, sugar-free, gluten-free diet

Home away from home

I've listened to the countless testimonies of how that hope transformed lives. I have seen people take hold of that hope with all their might so they may once more have life.

I am amazed to see the level of support and encouragement here... Not only from the doctors and caregivers, but from all employees, patients and companions. All are focused on one thing- healing….not just in the physical sense, but holistic healing- physical, spiritual, and emotional. Each person offers words of comfort, provides hugs and smiles to brighten our days. I know that I have made lasting friendships in this place. Quite frankly, despite the cancer I am so blessed to be here. I thank God for this journey with Tony because we have learned so much in this place.

Receiving an infusion

All employees here are deeply spiritual, and so are many of the patients. I have met Hindu, Buddhist, you name it. When you are faced with a serious illness all walls come down and you learn to live life and love others to the fullest regardless of differences. God has taught me to be a blessing to others, and to find the blessings every day. If we just take the time to look we will find an abundance of them.

One of the aspects I have enjoyed here is the unity among staff. I will speak more about that in greater detail in the next blog. It is simply wonderful how everyone works together. There is no struggle for status. From doctors to cleaning people- they all work in one accord to show the love of God to everyone who enters the hospital. "For as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ….. for the body is not one member, but many.” 1 Corinthians 12:12, 14. This spiritual atmosphere permeates throughout the halls here to bring hope, love and peace that is so needed during times like these. The important things in life are brought into perspective. Conversations are meaningful- no time for the trivial stuff. We talk about God, life, family, and friends. Each person unselfishly helps the other to move forward towards healing which comes from God alone. Even Dr. Contreras himself says that the healing is not from him but from God- he only assists the body with what it needs.

Daily worship with Pastor Ernesto

During the first week I had some setbacks due to fever and intolerance to one of the treatments. During the first week I was feeling sorry for myself and wondering “why did I ever come here?” Out of the blue, a doctor came to my room, and asked if we were people of faith. With our permission he prayed the most beautiful prayer- it was definitely a message directly from God just for me, and I was instantly reminded of my purpose here. I quickly snapped out of that low place as I was reminded that God was with me every step of the way.

Yes, there is hope, love, and unity here at Oasis. My mind goes to that big sign hanging in our church that says “We Have This Hope,” and am reminded that Jesus gives us such hope. “My hope is in Thee.” Psalm 39:7; “ Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.” Psalm 42:11. The church is like a hospital, not so much from physical illnesses, but from the sickness of sin. It is there that those who are burdened from the weight of sin can receive life-giving power, pardon, and healing. Often the illnesses we have are as a result of the weight of sin. However, Jesus bids us come. Whoever will fall at His feet saying in faith "Lord if Thou wilt, Thou can make me clean" shall hear the answer "I will; be thou made clean." Matthew 8:2,3. Here we can find spiritual healing that our hearts are so desperately searching for. Yet, I cannot help but feel a little saddened when I compare the experience I have had here at Oasis of Hope with that of church- and I am not talking specifically about my church but church in general. Rather than being a place of deep seeking and soul-searching prayer and worship, it has become more of a social place to come once a week to do one’s “duty to God,” and we expect that to be enough.  For many there is no relationship with God or with others once they leave the church walls. Little or no devotions, much less Bible study. We often come to church without a praise of thanksgiving for the many blessings we have received despite our sinful selves. Instead we complain and grumble. My heart cries for the youth who spend the hour chatting away with friends, playing games on their smart phones, or checking social media. When the hour is done, we leave those doors to go back to our daily routines unchanged, unconverted empty vessels. Then we come back the next week and do it all over again! Such emptiness.

Others are fighting for church position, and feel offended if they do not receive one. Instead, we should be humbling ourselves with fasting and praying to seek God’s will. Have we not read that “anyone who wants to be first must be last, and the servant of all?” Mark 9:35. It’s not about status, but about our relationship with God and with men. What about Bible study? How much time have we spent studying God’s Word and getting to know Him and His will for us? Don’t you see? “By beholding we become changed” 2 Corinthians 3:18. How can we change if we are not learning of and from Him? Our sins are separating us from Him. God wants to be fully connected with us. He wants full restoration, and so long as we are caught up with the cares of this world He cannot fulfill want He wants to do in us- to give us life everlasting and empower us to give the Three Angels Message of Revelation 14: 1-12 to the world.  We spend more time on TV, the news, and our music, and less time with Jesus at the Holy Place.

God wants to have churches everywhere in which all members are genuinely interested in each other as it is here at Oasis of Hope…where people know each other by name; where they look each other in the eye and genuinely care; where they take up the phone to find out how a new church member- or an old one- is doing; where there is prayer in the hallways; where old and young have healthy relationships together; where conversations are on meaningful things. Each day we are so blessed, but we are more focused on the mountains before us than one the One who can level it. Like Peter, we take our eyes off Jesus and focus on the storms around us. Next time if someone asks how you are doing, instead of listing out all the things that are going wrong, take the time to share all the numerous things that are going right. It’s time to change our focus and speak positivity and power through God into our lives.  

Do we even realize that we are spiritually sick and in need of the great Healer, Physician, Counselor, Redeemer, Savior, Provider, Restorer, and Friend? Do we realize that God wants to make us whole and well, and give us victory over sins? My friends, let us examine ourselves based on the word of God. Have you grown spiritually since last year, or are you still struggling with the same old sins? If so, then you have been going to “The Oasis of Hope” for so long and have yet to be set free and healed. I was in that boat. I know! I was so busy doing the Lord’s work that I took my eyes off Him. The minute I did that the world became more important. It got to the point where I was so ashamed and living a lie that I couldn’t even go to God to pray anymore. Oh, but what a God who searches for His lost sheep and doesn’t stop until He finds him or her. Like the story of the Prodigal Son, I came to my senses and realized that I had a loving Father who loved me regardless of the lowest hell I had sunk to. He gave His life to redeem ME! He welcomed me with open arms, never for one moment rejecting me or saying “I told you so!” God desires true confession and repentance from each one of us, and He will take care of the rest. He asks us to come and give our all to him- the good, the bad, and the ugly. It is time to change directions my friends. Admit it, the way we have been living just isn’t working. God wants to give us life more abundantly. This life is wrapping up, and Jesus is returning for a church triumphant that reflects the character of God. The world has nothing to give us, but WE HAVE THIS HOPE of a glorious life with Jesus where there will be no more sin, no more sickness or death. Take hold of that promise and live.  

Proverbs 4:20-22: “My son (daughter), attend to my word; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.”

My Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for your plan of salvation, for establishing your church as an “Oasis of Hope” for healing and restoration from the disease of sin. As it was with the disciples in the upper room on the day of Pentecost, so empower us by the power of your Holy Spirit to be in one accord, having deep love and concern for all. Help us to realize that we are all sin-sick and in need of a Savior. Help us to keep our eyes focused on you. Give us life-changing experiences that will transform our characters to reflect Yours.

In the precious name of Jesus. Amen

He Orders Our Days

Blog 6

He Orders Our Days

The diagnosis of breast cancer stage three had us reeling. The result from the PET scan showed that it had not spread. That brought some peace of mind. However, what was to be our next step? The doctor wanted to immediately schedule for a port for chemo to be put in. Wait a minute! This was happening too fast. I needed to breathe! Everyone had their own opinion, and I know everyone meant well, but I only wanted to hear from God. As usual, I woke up early the next morning to seek God’s counsel. I had always felt that if I should ever have cancer that I would try to avoid the regular treatment of bombarding my body with chemo, and then radiation. After all, my body is His temple. “I am fearfully and wonderfully made,” and it just didn’t seem like that was the right thing to do. I had family members and close friends who went through it, and I was determined that was not the way for me. I was impressed that God was leading me in a different direction.

 I had been searching all morning for a word from the Lord. I opened the Bible for guidance, but after searching I couldn’t find an answer. So, I decided to research two cancer treatment centers that I had heard about. I had left the two sites up, and while going to them I accidentally came to a different site that I had also previously left opened. It was a lecture from Dr. Thomas Jackson from MEET Ministry (www.meetministry.org) There God gave me the answer. It was a quote from Ministry of Healing, pg. 127:

“Disease is an effort of nature to free the system from conditions that result from a violation of the laws of health. In case of sickness, the cause should be ascertained. Unhealthful conditions should be changed. Wrong habits corrected. Then, nature is to be assisted in her efforts to expel impurities and to reestablish right conditions in the system. Pure air, sunlight, abstemiousness, rest, exercise, proper diet, the use of water- these are the true remedies…..Nature’s process of healing and upbuilding is gradual and to the patient it seems slow. The surrender of hurtful indulgences require sacrifice. But in the end, it will be found that nature, untrammeled, does her work wisely and well. Those who persevere in obedience to her laws will reap the reward in health of body and health of mind.” As a strong believer in the health message and in God’s eight laws of health, I understood God’s plan for me.

God is the Alpha and the Omega and the Way in between. He knows my journey. Tony and I chose to follow Him. After much prayer and seeking, we  decided that we would take an alternative approach to treating this cancer. It would not be a popular decision….it would meet much opposition, but God made it clear that this was OUR road to travel. Everyone has a different journey but it is important to be obedient to what God has called you to.  God wanted to take me on a journey to continue the work He had begun in me, so He could teach me to fully rely on Him for healing, and that through it all His name will be glorified, not mine, not any doctor, but His. Phillipians 1:6 “Being confident of this very thing, that He which has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” It is God’s desire to restore us to Himself, to see His own purity and holiness reflected in us. If we will yield ourselves to Him, He that begun a good work in you will carry it forward to the day of Jesus Christ. Pray more fervently; believe more fully.” SC 64

And so, we decided to go to Oasis of Hope in Tijuana, Mexico. My friend Tania in NC had a family member and a friend, Kristen, who had successful treatments there. Kristen and I spoke several times about what it entailed. All seemed well. It wasn’t long before our tickets were bought and we were set to leave Miami on October 30^th. I had to go downtown to get my passport, and while waiting to speak to one of the officers there I prayed that God would send me to someone who was sociable. You know how it can be sometimes there- you meet someone who just wants to give you a hard time. However, God is so good! Not only did I go to the nicest lady, but she had just returned from Tijuana and proceeded to tell me all the places I should go to. Only God would do something like that. What are the odds of meeting someone who had just been to the very same place I was going? At that moment I was reminded that God orders every second of our day. Nothing goes unnoticed, so why worry? He has it all taken care of.

On this journey, God showed me that I would have to face two of my biggest fears that I have had for most of my life…that of flying, and of also dying. For me, it was about losing control with your life in the hands of the pilot.  As for dying….well, everyone cringes at the word “cancer” and I was no exception. However, one thing is certain…I am in the Lord’s hands. I pray that through all of this His name will be glorified and not me. Through restoration I want to be a living testimony of the goodness of the Lord. If I endure this trying process, and self does not awaken to life to feel hurt and abuse under the test that His probing knife will reveal that the soul is indeed dead to self, but alive unto God.” 5 BC 1152. I want victory over everything that is not of God, so here I am, Lord. I’m ready.

Tony and I woke up early Sunday morning for our trek across the country. I was determined to face my fear of flying head on.  I was reminded of a beautiful experience my prayer partner, Rosanna Ek, had shared with me. God has blessed her with revelations and visions…. and yes, I will be sharing more of those with you. One day Rosanna was driving on the highway and she heard some suspicious sounds coming from under the car. Something was obviously wrong. Although she had little knowledge of car maintenance, she pulled off the road and stopped the car. She could never have imagined the sight that awaited her. There under the car was an angel with arms outstretched over the front and back wheels. The angel was looking ahead very focused on his mission to get her to her destination, but for a brief moment, he turned to her and winked as if to say “I got this”, then focused once more to the task at hand. The car got her safely home, and as soon as she arrived she rushed in to tell her husband what had happened. The car was taken to the mechanic who said it was a miracle that she got that car home. The bar between the two front wheels were rusted and had clearly been broken for a while. Of course, it was nothing less than a miracle! The angel had kept her safe!!!

Could it be????

                 

I was assured that God would send an angel or two to hold that plane up. Our flight finally took off from Miami after being delayed for an hour due to suspicious luggage. As I sat by the window seat, I felt God’s peace as we took off, enjoying every moment of the changing terrains beneath me. I was elated! I peered through the window hoping that I too would see an angel. I didn’t but I smiled the whole time knowing my angel was there. Just before landing I took a picture…..Hmmmm….what do you think?!  God had promised that He would always be there. That was enough assurance for me. Due to the delay we missed our connecting flight in Dallas, and had to wait for a later flight three hours later, but that was alright. God had ordered our day, and every delay was for a reason. We finally made it to Oasis of Hope. I was exhausted, but hopeful. It was at this place that God was going to teach me many things. “Faithful is He that calls you, who also will do it. “ 1 Thessalonians 5:24

My Prayer: Dear Jesus,

Thank you for ordering our days according to Your perfect will. Thank you for your free gift of salvation, and thank you for not leaving us in the same condition You found us. Please continue to do a work of purification that our lives will be fully surrendered to You. Give us Your strength, courage and peace to face whatever comes our way because we have the assurance that You are always with us.

In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen

Thy Will, Not Mine

Blog 5

Thy Will, Not Mine

Pastor David has been an inspiration to me. He was my neighbor until just a few weeks ago. During that time, we had many conversations about what God was doing in each of our lives. It so happened that we left our homes at the same time early at 5:45 every morning. It was so nice to have the company at that very dark hour. God always provides everything I need. We would also arrive home about the same time in the evenings and would often spend an hour or so discussing biblical subjects. I shared my testimony of my Christian journey and how I became an Adventist. Even though we are from different denominations we both love the Lord and share many of the same convictions. I know that God has His people everywhere.

Pastor David knows who he is- a child of the Most High God. He walks with an air of confidence knowing that. Every believer should have that level of confidence because God’s word says we ARE His children. I have learned a lot about dedication, unselfish service, and about faith from him. Pastor David works untiringly with underprivileged children, coaching them in sports such as track. It is his and their dream to one day participate in the Olympics. He gives them hope and purpose- teaching them self-worth, discipline, perseverance, and most importantly, about the love of God. It wasn’t long before he started “Alms Church” right there in his home to minister to these children and their parents. What a gift of service! He asked me to assist him, and after bringing it to God I was impressed to go. What a blessing I found there! Pastor David is such a deeply spiritual man and a huge blessing to others….definitely someone who has a deep connection with God. I wanted that. It’s a powerful thing when we know whose we are. God has made provision for it. “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” With every seeking heart God will provide a knowledge of Him. He puts people and situations in your life to draw you closer to Him. This is what He did for me through Pastor David. Pastor always told me that God was going to use me in a powerful way. I just didn’t see how with all the many mistakes and shortcomings I had. Nevertheless, God can use anyone. After all, He used a donkey didn’t He? All He wants is a willing heart. And so, each Sunday I would help Pastor to minister to the children using my own testimonies, and using illustrations and demonstrations to bring the stories to life. The children enjoyed it. Unfortunately, Pastor David moved, but he soon found another place not too far away. I missed a few weeks, and then I found out about the cancer diagnosis. When I told Pastor David he asked me to come by. I did, and I was so blessed by it as the sermon was just what I needed to hear about faith. As he was delivering his message all of a sudden he looked up directly at me and said “Cheryl Alonzo….Come and see what the Lord has done!” God had been impressing me to write my testimony. I had a few titles but none seemed quite right. Until now. As Pastor David said those words, I knew that God was speaking through him. That was to be the title of the blog I would write. God is so good and makes provision for everything. I am learning to wait on Him because at the right time and in His own way He provides the answers.

I left that place feeling empowered and ready to face whatever battles would come my way. Only this time it must be different. No more the doer or in my own strength…I must learn to surrender and wait, allowing Him to work in His time, His way. As the months have progressed, God has shown me how to live a life of humility. “When we have true humility (which comes by the working of the Holy Spirit), we have victory. The enemy can never take out of the hand of Christ the one who is simply trusting His promises. If the soul is trusting and working obediently, the mind is susceptible to divine impressions, and the light of God shines in, enlightening the understanding. What privileges we have in Christ Jesus!” 7 Bible Commentaries, 959. Mostly we do not see through God’s eyes, but through the eyes of man because we are so busy we won't take the time. God has been opening my eyes to have a correct view of spiritual things. His “eyesalve” which is the Word of God speaks to my conscience because it convicts of sin. At times it may even hurt…hurt badly…. But it is necessary so that healing may follow. God wants me, wants us, to be single-sighted, beholding ourselves in His great moral looking glass, seeing ourselves as He sees us. As I have been shown my true state, I have been brought to my knees in humble repentance for the sins I have committed. By beholding, I am becoming changed. I just marvel at the work God has been doing in me, and of the many sins and habits He has given me victory over. God has taken me to the root of many of my problems- problems that were so deep-rooted that they had shaped my life for far too long. “The tops had been cut down, but the roots had never been eradicated, bearing their unholy fruit to poison my judgment, pervert my perceptions, and blind my understanding. …And so I had been stuck in a vicious cycle. However, God said not so. “When by thorough confession you destroy the root of the bitterness, you will see light in God’s light. Without this thorough work, you will never clear your souls.” LS 326. “The very depths of the hidden evil must be reached, the moral senses must be judged, and judged again in the light of the divine presence. The daily life will testify whether the work is genuine. If the soul endures the trying process, and self does not awaken to life to feel hurt and abused under the test, that probing knife reveals that the soul is indeed dead to self, but alive unto God.” BC 1152.

There have been deep-rooted issues in my life, and I am sure in yours. I never realized the intensity of it all. These things had influenced my decisions in such a negative way, causing me to develop an unwholesome, imbalanced character of timidity, fears and anxieties, and worse….separation of God. But praise God He is in the business of restoration.  God in His love and mercy wants to up-root them all so they cannot hurt us anymore.

Lately, God has been waking me up in the wee hours of the morning. I have sometimes resisted….. other times I’ve tried to ignore the call for a few hours to get more sleep in. One morning when I was awakened, taking another hour or so to get out of bed, the Lord brought me immediately to a Scripture upon opening the Bible: “Why sleepest thou?…..watch ye and pray, lest you enter into temptation.” On that particular day, God wanted me to tap into His Power Source because He knew what was ahead that day. I have since been obedient to His call. It is during those hours that He shows me what I need and inspires me to face whatever comes my way. Waking up has no longer become difficult because He has become my source of strength. He wants that for all of us.I am learning to recognize His voice and His will for me. It has been a beautiful journey in which I have surrendered to His will, not mine. “Hear instruction and be wise and refuse it not. Blessed is the man that hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the ports of my doors. For whosoever finds me finds life, and shall obtain favor of the Lord.” Proverbs 8:33-35 “My son, attend to my words, incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4: 20-23

My prayer: Thank you Lord! I praise your name for the work You have been doing in me. Teach me your ways, and let me turn my ear to listen. Help me to slow down to hear from You because there is so much You want to say to me. Teach me your way, Oh Lord, that I may walk in truth, to glorify your name in all I do. Let me daily die to self that You may live through me. Let it Your will, not mine.

In Jesus’ name. Amen

Angels in Disguise

Angels in Disguise

October 3, 2016

The Lord had a wonderful day in store for me, and God knows I needed it. I had already gone through mammogram, ultrasound, and biopsy to name a few others. I was tired of it all already. I was scheduled for an MRI today. I know beyond the shadow of a doubt that God had specifically chosen Yvonne to be the attending nurse for me today. As I entered the room that huge, monster of a machine made a dreaded humming sound. With that I decided I needed to plug in to my Power Source for this one. Being claustrophobic and having a history of anxiety and panic attacks wasn't going to make it any easier, but He has said " I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13. As I contemplated this verse, I was reminded of the countless times I have claimed this promise and seen God come through for me. I told Yvonne I needed a moment, and walked over to the side of the room to pray. When I was done and walked back over to her she commended me for doing so and said that everyone should do more of that.  Yes we should. "God is our present help in trouble."
You never know when The Lord is up to something, but He always is! Life with Him is a beautiful adventure looking at His daily plans unfold before me. This opened up a conversation with Yvonne about what God had done in her life and in mine. She told me about her darkest hour several years ago in 2010 after her divorce. She couldn't sleep and was having terrible nightmares. She came across a book on fasting and she decided to put what she had read into action. The nightmares stopped! I shared with her about the Daniel Fast I was doing at the time with my prayer partners, and about the many wonderful things God was doing in my life.
It was time to go into the machine. Yvonne was so patient and reassuring. She gave me earphones to listen to music on Pandora. I selected Hymns. The first one to play was "I Surrender All" as God reminded me once more that I had given Him the reins. I let go and relaxed. I was pushed face down in the machine. God's peace was with me. At times as the machine banged away so hard I couldn't even hear the music, but even in hardships God can be found. So I used the pounding machine as a beat to sing my favorite hymns.
My biggest concern was the contrast that they would inject after 20 minutes. My body is always so sensitive to everything, but then again that may be due to my overly active mind. Praise God He is giving me victory even over that. I could feel it going in. It was cold. No problems.
Finally it was over! I gave Yvonne a big hug. She told me I was an inspiration to her. I told her that God sent me an angel. As I've drawn closer to God I've been more in tune with him and His Spirit. I was impressed to give her a book I had just received in the mail the day before that I had slipped into my bag last minute: "Prayers and Promises" by Brenda Walsh and Kay Kuzma. My assistant, Liset Maceira had been reading the Spanish version and told me I had to get it. So I immediately ordered an English version. I hadn't even started to read it, but I knew that book was meant for Yvonne.  I pray that Yvonne will be greatly blessed by it. I guess I'll just have to order another one for myself.
I thank God for blessing me today, and for the opportunity to bless others. He knows the desire of my heart is to be in tune with him, to do His will, and to hear His voice leading and guiding me in the way I should go. I am so glad I could hear His voice today nudging me to give Yvonne that book. Continue to speak to me, Oh God, and use me to draw others to You.

My prayer: Dear God, thank You for sending angels in disguise to encourage us and to remind us that You promised You are with us every step of the way. With that promise we can overcome our fears and anxieties and believe that we are indeed over-comers because of Your strength and transforming power. Give us Your peace knowing that all obstacles have been removed out of the way. In the mighty name of Jesus. Amen

"Be not forgetful to entertain strangers. For thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Hebrew 13:2