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