Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Illustrate the meaning of "Every Dark Cloud has a Silver Lining" (without using the actual phrase or literal example). (02/28/08)
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TITLE: This World is Not My Home | Previous Challenge Entry
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03/01/08 -
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My ministry in a certain church came to an end. I had to make a choice. I decided to get myself a home before continuing in full time ministry. I was blessed with an excellent job in an institution caring for the developmentally delayed. The pay was excellent and the people were easy to work with. I was employed as accountant but because of difficulties I also took on the responsibility of production manager.
At Christmastime my wife went to Sydney to be relief caretaker in a missions office as she had often done previously. I planned to join her on Christmas day for the next few days. My little production team had completed an export order for sheepskin dusters and earned themselves a break until New Years day.
The day before Christmas our office staff had lunch at a Chinese restaurant so that I was free after lunch. I had mowed the lawn, completed arrangements with my neighbor, and then gone inside to clean up and get on my way to the ‘Big Smoke’. Suddenly, I was gripped with strong stomach pains and regurgitated all I had eaten that day. After cleaning myself up I went to the hospital emergency department to get my stomach pumped out. “Food poisoning.” I thought.
I was examined by a doctor, given painkillers and left to wait for results of tests. After waiting for what seemed to be hours, I got up and went to the nurse at reception.
“Thank you nurse, I feel better now, so I’ll get on my way. It takes about five hours you know.” I informed her.
“You’re not gong anywhere until we know what’s wrong with you.” She said.
“But my wife is expecting me, I’m already late, she will be worried. Please hurry it up.”
The doctor was recalled and had me admitted to the ward for more tests. I protested and asked them to contact my wife urgently, to let her know I was in hospital. Once they discovered what was wrong with me they transferred me to intensive care.
Suddenly from being healthy I had become someone at deaths' door. I was in intensive care for three weeks while they performed two operations shortening my small intestine each time. They told me it would never grow back again so they were afraid to cut too much away.
I was then transferred to Royal Prince Alfred hospital in Sydney for a specialist to conduct yet another operation. The specialist who did the third operation in Sydney told my wife, “We have done all we can do for him, only prayer can help further.” I was put in intensive care for almost another month.
During this time my wife and I could only see the storm we were experiencing, we both asked God, many times, what was happening and could not really see the future. In these days of uncertainty the light of God’s presence and the knowledge that He holds the future in His hands were very precious as we held on to His promise that all things work together for good. All over Australia people were praying for me and I’m still here more than eighteen years later. To God be the glory.
This time in hospital covers a long tale with many twists and turns but I finally returned to recuperate in the hospital near my home.
The Director of nursing was there to welcome me back from the dead for she had never thought to see me again. The many prayers that were said for me had been answered. I stayed in hospital another month while healing. While I was in hospital people from various denominations visited, who said they enjoyed discussing scripture with me.
A young Baptist nurse told me, “When I was specialing you in intensive care, I asked, ”What do you think will happen? You answered, ‘It doesn’t really matter. If I die I am ready to go to heaven, yet, if God determines to let me live He will have more for me to do.’ You’re still here so I think you have more to do.” Yes and still here years later.
I did not return to work. I have since ministered at home and in parts of Asia during these last years. One day God will let me go home. For now, it seems He has work for me.
(740 words)
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You have a few typos, but nothing that can't easily be fixed. The story itself is right on topic, and I am so happy that the dark cloud that was hovering over you disappeared.
Thank you so much for sharing.
I wonder if you could work on conveying a little bit more depth of feeling--I felt that the story was relayed to me, but I didn't really feel an emotional component.
The ending was super--glad you're still with us (for a while).
Laury