Jacob's Kidney Campaign

The Legacies of Jacob

2011-07-19T15:20:00.003-04:00

This article honors Pastor Jacob Perera of Sri Lanka, who passed away recently. To me, Jacob was a friend and a brother in the Kingdom. His passing has left a mark on me, and his legacies will live on.

This article honors Pastor Jacob Perera of Sri Lanka, who passed away recently. You might remember him from Jacob’s Kidney Campaign, to which many people contributed a couple years ago. Friends, Jacob’s kidneys have finally failed, but he didn’t. Jacob finished his time on earth strong. To me, Jacob was a friend and a brother in the Kingdom. His passing has left a mark on me, and his legacies will live on.

I met Jacob on a mission trip in 2005. My friend George Bakalov invited me to minister in Kegalle, Sri Lanka with him. Jacob was our host. From the start, I was amazed at how much vision Jacob had. In a primarily Buddhist nation that was stricken with civil war, he was operating several churches, social missions, and a trade school. Jacob knew the Gospel not only dealt with the spirit, but with the whole being. He wanted his countrymen to walk with God, but also to eat and to work.

The purpose of the trip was to minister at a conference for church leaders and their spouses. Jacob invited all the pastors he knew, and most of all the pastors he knew came. Denominations didn’t matter, they came anyway. George preached and I got to share a little, but the best part was at the end, when we prayed for people and prophesied.

In long lines the people waited, church leaders in this desperate country, desperate for a word from God. Later Jacob said they don’t often receive prophetic ministry, and that was apparent by their hunger. One by one we laid hands on the precious people and prayed for them. If God impressed something on us for them, we shared it. Women cried and men rocked as the healing words of the LORD poured from our lips. The work of God was being done. It was hot and sweaty, but sweet and holy at the same time, and destinies were laid out, wounds were mended, encouragement was received.

From Jacob, I learned to seek the full counsel of God’s Voice.

Here were pastors and leaders, well-versed in the Bible. Here were orators and preachers, adept at sermons. But what they seemed hungry for was God’s current and present Voice, communicated through prophetic ministry. There are some who say God’s Voice is limited to the Bible. They make the Bible the ends. But isn’t God the ends? Isn’t the Bible a means to know God? The full counsel of God’s Voice is not in the Bible. The full counsel of God’s Voice is in God. And God is not limited to the Bible. He doesn’t contradict the Bible, but He’s not contained by it, either. I learned this from Jacob.

Then we found out that Jacob’s kidneys were failing him. He needed a kidney transplant. Weekly dialysis was taking a toll. So we reached out to raise money for a kidney transplant. In the mean time, Jacob searched for a donor. Generous friends, family members, and readers-we-did-not-know gave, and eventually all the money was raised, all $20,000 of it. Wow, 20 grand for a man none of the donors knew. Very cool.

But raising the money was the easy part. A kidney donor still had to be found. Finally a match came forward—Jacob’s wife Sureshni. Flesh of his flesh would become flesh of his flesh. Sureshni volunteered to give up her kidney for her husband. It all looked good. But a national law prohibited a spouse from donating, so Sureshni’s kidney was no good for Jacob. The search continued.

Through all this, Jacob lost his eyesight. Through all this, Jacob got weaker and weaker. Through all this, Jacob visited a hospital every week so a machine could cleanse his blood for him. The money we raised went to his medical expenses. It ran out.

But, he continued ministering. He launched Easter and Christmas outreaches and kids ministries and widow feeding programs, and still the churches grew. I got an email from him, “Thank and praise God for all He has done for me.”

From Jacob, I learned to press ahead in God’s call despite the circumstances.

Here was Jacob, having every earthly and permissible excuse to back off, slow down, take it easy. But he didn’t accept them. I think his medical issues and presenting frailty strengthened his resolve. There’s nothing like facing death to invigorate you into life. I think Jacob learned this. He’s really the fortunate one. I wonder how many of us are being lulled into uselessness by vain pursuits, empty entertainment, and idle comforts. I wonder how many of us are alive but are living as dead ones. We’re not affecting much, not seeing beyond ourselves, not living a life worthy of Jesus.

Jacob got a grand wake up call, and he lived off that for several years. But what of us who don’t receive such a call? What of us who drift through our years, attaining stuff, remaining at a distance, dreaming for a life of ease? What of us who never get such a grand wake up call to make it count? We might waste our time, waste our talents, waste our relationships, because we thought we had more years in us. But what if we don’t?

I tell you, when I go out, I want to go out swinging, like Jacob did. I tell you, I want to go out seeking God, like Jacob did. What else is there?

Goodbye my friend and my brother. I will miss you. Thank you for living well. I’ll see you again.

Amazing

2010-07-22T20:48:00.001-04:00

I emailed Pastor Jacob in Sri Lanka and not soon after, he emailed me. If you remember, we received an anonymous $2,024 cashier’s check in the mail with “Kidney Campaign” on the memo line. Just the day before, I was praying that God would provide for the projects of the ministry we’re involved in. Then out of the blue, surprising as twins with no ultrasound, we received the check.

So I heard back from Pastor Jacob almost instantly, and this is what he wrote:

“Thank and praise God for all that he has done for me. I was praying for my eyes as doctors have told me that I have to have an operation on both of my eyes [a result of kidney dialysis], and I was praying about it on Sunday. See not even a few days, and God has given me what I wanted. My operations will cost about the same amount. Thank you for your prayers and support. God is going to bless all who are supporting me. I love you all.”

How’s that for amazing?

God's Still In This

2010-07-21T05:20:00.004-04:00

I want to proclaim the goodness of God. Yesterday we received an anonymous check (a cashier's check) for $2,024 for Jacob's Kidney Campaign. The envelope has no return address on it, and since it's a cashier's check, there's no contact information on it, just the bank information. This is highly rejoicable and significant for several reasons.

On Monday morning I was praying and walking around our neighborhood. I was praying for the ministry we're involved with, George Bakalov Ministries Intl., asking God to provide for the provision of our ministry's projects. Then I looked down and on the curb was a five dollar bill. There was no contact information with it, no way to trace it back to its owner, so I picked it up, and when I see the founder of the ministry this Friday, I'll give it to him as a sign. Then Tuesday we received this anonymous check in our mailbox.

It's as if God is saying not to worry because He'll provide. It's as if God is saying that our job is to pray, and He'll respond to it. It's as if God is saying His provisions will be easy, sitting on the curb or in the mailbox. It's as if God is saying He'll surprise us with His blessings.

What's most surprising to me about this $2,000 check is that it's not part of a recent fundraising campaign, email blast or social media blaze. I haven't even posted an update on Pastor Jacob since February. But God moved this person's heart, this person obeyed, and now Pastor Jacob will know God's still in this.

If you feel moved:

Online donations are quick, easy and tax-free. Click on the Donate button to give a gift or send a check using the information below. All donations are tax-deductible. You will receive a tax-free receipt from Current3, which is a U.S. registered tax-exempt organization.

When sending a check, please write check to Current3 with "Kidney Campaign" on the memo. Please send to:

Chris Heinz,
110 Radnor Road, Suite 101,
State College, PA 16801,
814-574-4127,
chrissheinz@gmail.com

Critical Update about Pastor Jacob

2010-02-15T08:32:00.012-05:00

You might remember that in January 2009 we had raised all the money for Jacob's kidney transplant, and his doctors were trying to identify a donor. Unfortunately, a donor has not yet been found.

Jacob's monthly medical bills are $900 for dialysis and medicine. On top of that, he had to undergo two eye surgeries, which resulted from complications from his dialysis. And, twice he was warded in the intensive care unit because he was seriously ill. As a result of this prolonged process and medical expenses, all the money we raised is gone.

However, there's good news. Over the last year, the funds enabled Jacob to receive the necessary medical treatment to stay alive, and also continue the ministry that is serving so many people. Despite these medical setbacks, Jacob presses on. Widows are being fed, orphans cared for, workers trained in a practical trade, and the church is growing. On February 17 he is leading a conference for 250 pastors.

Jacob doesn't earn a salary, so he has no means to pay his expenses. He's forced to depend on individuals to give. He also cut down on some of his necessary medicines to reduce his monthly costs. I don't know how long he can go on like this.

I'm asking for three things:

First, please pray for Pastor Jacob. Pray for a suitable donor. Pray for his health and for perseverance. He told me he believes God has a plan and a purpose for everything that happens. He is encouraged and strong, and I think through our prayers, God will make him even stronger as he faces this trial.

Second, please consider giving toward his medical costs. As I said, his costs are $900 a month. I'm planning to wire money on March 1. One-time or monthly gifts would be awesome! All gifts are tax deductible. You can DONATE HERE or send a check to: Current3 Ministries, 1433 E Park Hills Ave, State College, PA 16803. If you'd like to give monthly, CONTACT ME and we can work it out.

Third, if would like to pass on a message to Pastor Jacob, USE THIS FORM, and I'll get the message to him.

Thank you for your support. Pastor Jacob's story is not over yet...let's be part of it.

Blessings,
Chris

A Miracle!

2009-06-17T14:25:00.002-04:00

I just talked with Pastor Jacob. His right eye was operated on. Before doing the operation the doctor tested his eye and based on the results, guaranteed he'd have 10% of his vision. After the operation, the doctor tested and Jacob has an incredible 100% of his vision in that eye!

The family and church are very encouraged by the Lord's work.

Next is the operation on his left eye next week. After that, the kidney operation. They identified a donor. That operation could be as early as three weeks.

Please remember to pray for the eye operation next week and thank God for the miracle.

Nothing Can Stop God's Call!

2009-04-16T15:05:00.003-04:00

Today Jacob called me. It was a great joy to speak with him. There are three topics that we covered and I'll share them with you.

Easter weekend outreach

Jacob and his church hosted a three day festival to celebrate Easter. They set up a stage near the road beside their church. They figure about 7,500 people came out for the festival. That's big news since the country is about 70% Buddhist. Jacob preached about Jesus five different times during the festival. They offered food and drink to all the attendees. Before the event began, the sound system caught fire and they couldn't use it. Instead, they rented equipment.

I asked Jacob if he felt pain or got tired while he was ministering. He said he felt no pain at all and wasn't tired. Keep in mind he cannot see in his left eye and in his right eye, he can see only slightly. But that didn't stop him. He felt energized while ministering.

Additional ministries

Jacob has started several more ministries in addition to those already offered by the church. They are serving prostitutes and their children by providing food and clothes. They're also starting another feeding program for poor or orphaned children. They currently feed about 700 children once a week with a meal. They're increasing that feeding to include a lunch.

I asked Jacob how he is doing with his health and increasing the ministry activities. He said, "Nothing can stop God's call!" Every day Jacob enjoys doing something for God's Kingdom. He feels there is much more work to do and doesn't consider his failing eyesight or failing kidneys as holding him back. He said he doesn't think much about it.

Health report

On Monday, April 20, Jacob goes back to the hospital for a procedure on his right eye to stop some bleeding. Once his right eye heals, they'll fix his left eye and once that healing is complete, they can perform the kidney transplant. So, the current concern is for the healing of his right eye, followed by his left.

They are also actively searching for a kidney donor. There are two donors that are being investigated. Two previous donors didn't work out. Please pray for the healing of his two eyes as well as identification of a kidney donor match.

Letter from Jacob with Recent Updates

2009-03-18T15:34:00.004-04:00

Note - because of the loss of Jacob's vision, this letter was typed by someone else as he spoke it.

March 18, 2009

Dear Chris,

I hope this note finds you well. You must be wondering why I have been silent for so long. Let me try to briefly explain what has happened so far.

As you probably remember, we were planning to go through the kidney transplant operation at the Apollo Hospital at the end of January. But before the operation, I developed internal bleeding in both eyes. As a result, I lost the vision in both eyes. I also have a wound on my right foot.

An operation was performed on my right eye at the Apollo Hospital on the 27th of Jan. to try and restore the vision but it was not succesful. I am still hopeful and am under treatment for that eye. The vision in my left eye is coming back slightly. The eye surgeon wants to perform on operation on this eye as well to reduce the internal bleeding. But since the sight is improving slightly, we asked him if we could stay for a couple of weeks more to see whether the situation would improve further. The Dr. agrred to wait.

The wound in my foot is healing, slowly but surely. Praise God.

With all these unforseen developments, the Senior Pastors of the AOG Church felt that Sureshni, my wife, should not be the kidney donor. They felt that Sureshni needs to be in good health to look after me, our 3 children (two daughters aged 16 and 14 and our son aged 9) and the ministry in our Church. As such, we are now looking for an alternate donor.

The money you sent has been invested in a Fixed Deposit. We will be using the interest (approx. Rs. 13,300/month) towards the recurring expenses eg. dialysis (twice a week) , doctors' consultation fees, medicines etc. The medical expenses for a month are approx. Rs. 133,500 (US $ 1180).

I trust this has helped you to understand our situation. We thank God for you and the others who contributed so generously to help us in our hour of need. Please keep us in prayer at this trying time.

God Bless you.
Jacob Perera

Complications on Jacob's Right Eye

2009-02-13T11:38:00.001-05:00

Thank you for your prayers and support on behalf of Pastor Jacob. I spoke with him today on the phone. He had surgery on his right eye a week ago. Unfortunately, the doctors saw bleeding in his eye and they are postponing surgery on the left eye until the right eye is healed. If bleeding persists in his right eye, they might have to do the surgery again. Then, they’ll wait for healing and then operate on the left eye. As soon as both eyes heal, he can get the kidney operation. This whole time, he has received kidney dialysis, which has caused the complications with his eyes. At this point, Jacob cannot read anything and can only see moving objects.

As a matter of praise, it appears that all the money has been raised for his kidney operation and for his eye surgeries! Thank you LORD!

Please pray for healing of his right eye as that is the immediate health concern. Pray also for his wife Sureshni and his three children.

Thank you for holding Jacob up to the throne of God.

Jacob Loses His Sight

2009-01-26T10:02:00.001-05:00

I spoke with Pastor Jacob today. He has gone virtually blind, which can be a side effect of extended dialysis. Before he can get the kidney operation, his eyes need to be operated on. Tomorrow morning at 7:30 Sri Lanka time he has an eye operation for one of his eyes. Then after recovery of about a week, he’ll have surgery on his other eye. Then, once his eyes are healed, he can have the kidney operation.

His attitude and faith are amazing. He told me he believes God is testing him to prepare him for more responsibility in the future. He said no one can stop him from doing what God has for him to do. He believes God will do great things thru his ministry.

Please pray for the eye operations. We'll take one thing at a time.

Money Was Wired

2009-01-22T14:27:00.002-05:00

I wired the $4,553 we raised to Jacob's bank account. There is apparently another donor who is transferring $10,000 directly. He wants to remain anonymous. With that large gift, the amount is practically raised. I'm still waiting to hear if the money was received and to get an update on the operation. I don't know what day it will be exactly. As soon as I hear something, I'll post it. Thank you to everyone who participated in this campaign in donations and prayer. It's hard not to have more information but I'll get it when I can.

A Great Way to Start the New Year

2009-01-02T11:17:00.002-05:00

Saving a life would be a great way to start the New Year, wouldn’t it?

A friend of mine – Jacob Perera – is a pastor in Sri Lanka. His kidneys are failing him, and he needs a kidney transplant. For five months, I’ve been raising money for his operation, but the stakes just got higher.

Sadly, Jacob’s brother passed away on December 28 due to the same medical condition. He left behind a wife and four young children. While his death was personally shocking and tragic for the family, it underscores the seriousness of Jacob’s medical condition: it is literally life-and-death.

Jacob’s operation is scheduled for the third week of January. The cost for the operation, recovery in the hospital and follow-up injections is about $14,000 USD. We have already raised $3,700 but we need more. As a pastor, Jacob doesn’t receive an income, so all medical expenses come from donations.

Would you please consider making a donation to this important cause?

We’ve established a bank account in Sri Lanka, so ALL funds go DIRECTLY to Jacob for his operation. In addition, all donations are tax-deductible (thru Current3 Ministries) and you will receive a receipt for your gift.

Thank you for considering a donation. Saving a life would be a great way to start the New Year, wouldn’t it?

"Jacob does so much..."

2008-12-11T15:41:00.002-05:00

I received a short note from a woman who donated to the Campaign recently. She wrote,

"Chris, I wish I could give more, but I know the Lord will multiply whatever little we can give to meet the needs. Jacob does so much, with so little, he is an inspiration to us all."

Thank you for seeing the great big good Jacob does when he has so little! If you are inspired by Jacob, please consider giving to the Kidney Campaign like this woman did.

A Hero For Our Times

2008-10-28T15:02:00.000-04:00

Jacob and his wife, Sureshni live in Kegalle, Sri Lanka, where they’re pastors. I know because I’ve visited them. But to call them pastors is a bit of an understatement. I guess that depends on what you think pastors do. If you think pastors start vocational schools, feed and clothe widows, train missionaries, develop sustainable farms, house orphans, and lead churches, then yes, Jacob and Sureshni are pastors. But if you think pastors show up at church on Sunday in their Cadillacs, then no, they’re not pastors. Their church is a stone’s throw from their home and plus, their van broke down.

So did Jacob’s kidneys. He needs a kidney transplant or he’ll die.

This is where the story gets good. For months, doctors have been looking for a donor, someone who would give up one of their vital organs to save Jacob’s life. For the donor it would mean a surgical operation—at least five days in the hospital—followed by a long recovery. It would also mean that should something happen to their one kidney, they wouldn’t have another to fall back on. They would have to import, just like Jacob is trying to do. You might understand why it’s not easy to find a donor.

But now it looks like Jacob found one. You see, some brave soul offered their kidney to him. They decided to give away an extravagant gift, their own body part. The doctors are analyzing it and testing it and it seems they have a match – only one test to go. If all goes as planned, at the start of the new year, the doctors will place a new kidney into Jacob (well, it’s new for him). And that brave soul will be without one. Forever.

Who’s the brave soul? It’s Sureshni.

“But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.”

Add hero to her list.

Donor Gives Twice!

2008-09-24T08:44:00.003-04:00

It's great when you donate once to Jacob's Kidney Campaign, but one donor has donated twice! The mission we're on - to raise money so Jacob Perera can receive a kidney transplant - was so compelling to one young man that he donated twice to the campaign. I don't know exactly what moved him the most, if it was Jacob's tireless pursuit to serve the people around him, if it was Jacob's love for the poor and parentless, or if it was blind compassion. I know he has not been to Sri Lanka or met Jacob before. But I do know he was moved enough to give some of his finances so Jacob can heal, and then give again.

Because of the sacrifice of people like him, we have raised $2,750 so far. We have more to go, but we're on our way.

Thank you for giving!

$2400 raised in two weeks

2008-09-11T12:35:00.004-04:00

Thank you to the individuals, families and businesses that have responded to the Kidney Campaign so far. In the first two weeks, we collected $2400. We are very encouraged by the giving. Please continue to pray for Jacob. He is currently on dialysis, which he receives in the capital city of Sri Lanka, which is Colombo. His home, family and churches are about two hours away, which means he travels to Colombo to receive the treatment. When the transportation isn't available (the van broke down), he stays in Colombo during the week. The sooner he can receive the operation, the sooner he can be off dialysis. Thank you for your support!

Welcome to Jacob's Kidney Campaign!

2008-08-28T23:31:00.001-04:00

Earlier in the summer we raised money to buy a van for a needy family. It was the Yes We Can Van Campaign. Now we're raising money to save a man's life.

In 2005, less than a year after the devastating tsunami tore thru coastal Sri Lanka and 3 days after the Prime Minister was assassinated, I landed in Sri Lanka. My friend and I were to lead a conference for 100 pastors. Although my friend already knew our host, Jacob Perera, I hadn't met him yet. As I spent the next week with him, driving the hour-and-a-half from our hotel to the church and back, eating with his family in their home, and ministering in the conference, I came to love this man.

What a gentle man. What a sacrificial man. What a man of vision. I hadn't met such vision before. He was planning several new congregations, was launching a social organization to feed widows and orphans, train local workers in practical trades, and plant a Bible school, and start a sustainable farm. All this with no salary. He said he wanted to hold nothing back from developing the services that were on his heart. Jacob Perera is a wonderful man.

When I heard about his failing kidneys, I knew he wouldn't have the finances to pay for the operation. I decided to do my part, to sound the call, for this man, who does so much for so many. I simply cannot imagine Sri Lanka without him. What would his family do? What would his churches do? What would the orphans and widows he supports do? We might not be in Sri Lanka, but we can still help. Welcome to Jacob's Kidney Campaign!

The kidney transplant will cost about $20,000 USD (about 2,250,000 Sri Lankan rupees). Let's see what we can do. Let's save a life...and save others along the way!

Letter From Jacob

2008-08-28T22:50:00.004-04:00

Dear Chris,

Greetings in the Name of Jesus!

God is good and He will always be! Our ministry is growing and Sureshni and I together with my children are so thankful to God for His faithfulness.

I have started with the dialysis, up to now I have gone three times from the 9th of March up to date. I have been advised to go through the transplant soon. We have started by faith trusting in the Lord to be our Guide in all the decision we make. Right now I am in and out of Apollo Hospital getting ready for the kidney transplant. The surgery is going to cost something between Rs. 2 million to 2 1/2 million. For me it’s a huge amount of money!

The people had a prayer meeting for this purpose. The whole process is quite a struggle with the high living costs rising in Sri Lanka and getting people to support is becoming very difficult. But God is so faithful to my Ministry and I have enormous faith in God that He will open ways and means for me to get this done. The main battle I had was to find a donor and at this moment not one three of my believers have come forward to do so even before the request was made. My God is so faithful to me. I am so grateful to God’s children like you who can help me at this time as I make known the need to you. Any contributions for the surgery and your prayers will help me a great deal and also to go forward with my Ministry.

Sureshni my wife is a strong pillar of strength and support to me as well as in the Ministry. She is undergoing much stress with my condition and with 3 children, but she is faithful in what she is doing for the Lord. She takes good care of me and is praying that God will take me through this period of illness with much wisdom to undergo the dialysis and the transplant and live long to serve the Lord and for the family. My children too are so committed to the work of the Lord and their wish and prayer is that “DAD WILL BE HEALED”. They are buds blooming into flowers and almost in their teens and they need me very much.

Though I am in this stage, nothing stops me from committing myself fully to do the best for the Lord.

Thank you dear friends for your unlimited support in prayer and I know you will help me out to find the finances needed for my surgery in the best possible way.

Sureshni, my children, my Church and myself are so grateful to you people who have been with us at all times and been a great support to us.

God bless you.

Yours in Christ,
Jacob