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.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Thursday, April 16, 2009
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.
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.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
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
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
Friday, February 13, 2009
Complications on Jacob's Right Eye
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.
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.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Jacob Loses His Sight
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.
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.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Money Was Wired
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.
Friday, January 2, 2009
A Great Way to Start the New Year
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?
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?
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