I would like to introduce you to our good friend Raquel. We are in the same Growth Group in our church, Greenhills Christian Fellowship North (or GCF North). We have known Raquel for 25 years. When we were young CCC staff members doing campus ministry, she was a young college student involved in our ministry. She spent many years working with Philippine CCC herself, and later became a teacher. Now, she has almost finished her PhD in Clinical Psychology -- she'll be defending her dissertation next month.
About four years ago, Raquel discovered she had breast cancer, and went through months of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. She recovered very well, and so far, she's free of cancer. Around the same time, another couple in our church, Bong and Dory, went through a trying ordeal when they learned their daughter Polly had brain cancer. She too, recovered from the treatment and is cancer free so far. Here is a photo of Dory and Polly.
Other members in our church, on the other hand, died of cancer or watched their loved ones die of cancer. Raquel, Bong and Dory recognized that people caught up in the pain and confusion of dealing with cancer need help. They formed a support group called Rainbow Ministry. The group has been going for two years now, and has ministered to many, inside and outside our church, by walking alongside people who are dealing with cancer. A few months ago, Raquel had the idea of offering a session to the Rainbow Ministry group on what the Bible teaches about illness. Many people look at it as a punishment from God, and are confused about how Christians should respond. She asked James to develop a lecture on the topic, and we came up with the title, "Why Am I Sick, Lord?"
James provided a biblical overview of what the Bible teaches about sickness and healing. The audience really enjoyed looking at the topic together.
After the lecture we had small group discussions about how we could apply what we learned.
Finally, Raquel used her training as a counselor to teach the members how to provide a listening ear to those who are facing illness. The man on the right in this photo, who is doing the demonstration, is Bong, one of the Rainbow Ministry founders.
We always say that our ministry is full of variety! "Why Am I Sick?" was a good example of that.
About four years ago, Raquel discovered she had breast cancer, and went through months of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. She recovered very well, and so far, she's free of cancer. Around the same time, another couple in our church, Bong and Dory, went through a trying ordeal when they learned their daughter Polly had brain cancer. She too, recovered from the treatment and is cancer free so far. Here is a photo of Dory and Polly.
Other members in our church, on the other hand, died of cancer or watched their loved ones die of cancer. Raquel, Bong and Dory recognized that people caught up in the pain and confusion of dealing with cancer need help. They formed a support group called Rainbow Ministry. The group has been going for two years now, and has ministered to many, inside and outside our church, by walking alongside people who are dealing with cancer. A few months ago, Raquel had the idea of offering a session to the Rainbow Ministry group on what the Bible teaches about illness. Many people look at it as a punishment from God, and are confused about how Christians should respond. She asked James to develop a lecture on the topic, and we came up with the title, "Why Am I Sick, Lord?"
James provided a biblical overview of what the Bible teaches about sickness and healing. The audience really enjoyed looking at the topic together.
After the lecture we had small group discussions about how we could apply what we learned.
Finally, Raquel used her training as a counselor to teach the members how to provide a listening ear to those who are facing illness. The man on the right in this photo, who is doing the demonstration, is Bong, one of the Rainbow Ministry founders.
We always say that our ministry is full of variety! "Why Am I Sick?" was a good example of that.
1 comment:
What a neat ministry! Loved reading about it!!!
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