Nanay's Wonderful Healing

By: Danny S. Villanueva

As we commemorate Nanay's death anniversary this August, I would love to share with you the following:

Sickness and pain become so intense at times that we do not know how we can take any more suffering. It is in these moments that Jesus reassures us of His presence, sustains us and finally heals us. Our good Nanay went to this wonderful experience. Let me tell you her story.

I think it was in the early 80's that Nanay was diagnosed to have a unique kind of urinary track infection. She had persistent fever for months. The good head of the urology dept. of Manila Doctors, Dr. Januario Estrada, experimented with all sorts of antibiotics to no avail. Boy, the drugs were so expensive at times that made Dr. Estrada requested various foreign pharmaceuticals to provide him with samples to cure Nanay. Instead of Nanay going back and forth to the hospital, I was asked to give her the daily antibiotic injection at home. The urinary tract infection somehow abated. The doctor suspected that Nanay's diabetes complicates the healing process even though that her blood sugar was found at that time to be controlled.

After about one and a half-year of continued test and medication, a more intensive investigation followed until Dr. Estrada and his associates finally found a tumor growth close to her kidney that caused all the trouble. After further test and verification, Nanay and Tatay agreed to have her operated on immediately. On the day of her operation, Fr. Dodje arrived from Taiwan and saw her before she was brought to the operating room. Dodje laid hand on her and prayed for a couple of minutes while she was on the mobile stretcher-bed. Then, Dodje and I proceeded to the hospital chapel to continue to pray for Nanay. After less than an hour, we were surprised to see Nanay being wheeled out of the OR. The operation aborted as the surgeons could not find anymore the tumor upon check up with their special instrument prior to the knife. Thank you Lord God for the wonderful healing of Nanay. The next day, we happily checked out from the hospital without out any trace of tumor nor pus. Dr. Estrada just recommended a regular feminine wash for Nanay. Alleluia!

This is such a wonderful experience of what Jesus does for those who trust and persevere in Him in their suffering. He draws us to Himself and says that He will be with us in our suffering, in our pain, for nothing can separate us from His love (Rom. 8:39).

How often we pray for release, but no relief comes. The suffering persists, but we sense God's presence in our faithfulness to Him. He abides in our prayers, in His time, in His loving saving grace. What a miraculous healing of Nanay. Thank you, Jesus.

As I look back today, I can see how the Lord was with us, with Fr. Dodje, His dedicated co-worker, caring for us, meeting our deepest needs- joyfully, peacefully and in family. Thank you Holy Spirit for the gift of family.

There's so much similar stories to tell. The point is- no matter what painful situation we may face today, please remember that Jesus is holding us, in His loving embrace. Be joyful and faithful in any situation. For we know we can go through anything if we know Jesus is going with us. DSV