The Legacies of Jacob

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

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

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

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!

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!

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

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