"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,
who have been called according to his purpose."
First, Sandy and I want to thank each of you who have emailed and called us with such encouraging and strengthening words from your hearts, and from our God's eternal Word. Words of faith, hope, love, and healing in Jesus Christ our Lord. We are printing out and keeping each of your messages which we consider messages from the Lord's servants, indeed from our Lord Himself, for Christ lives in each of you. To hear from you is to hear from our Lord. And we deeply thank you for each and every one of your prayers which we are so evidently seeing being answered. Details follow below.
As our Lord puts us upon your hearts please do send Sandy or me a few words of encouragement. sandy@injesusname.org court@injesusname.org We know the next several months will be a great challenge and throughout this journey of faith it is our hope and prayer that we will be an increasing witness of our Lord's great faithfulness to us all, in every circumstance.
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| Court proclaiming the Lord Jesus Christ on a crowded street in India. The meeting was arranged by Pastor P. Sanjeeva Rao. He now has a beautiful church and home because of the love and help of his American brethren. We must continue to partnership with our brethren in proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am planning to return to India in November next year. |
I apologize for not responding to each one of you personally. With the many tests and doctors' appointments, there has not been much time to write and correspond. We cherish each of your words of encouragement in Jesus Christ, and they build our faith and confidence in the Lord greatly. I hope by God's grace, in time to respond to each of you.
How grateful we are for God's Word assuring us that He will never leave or forsake us, in sickness, or in health for God is with us, His Name is Emmanuel. His Words are certain and unchanging.
Sandy and I continue to feel "peace that passes understanding" since I was diagnosed with esophageal cancer on November 16. In my earlier email to you on Thanksgiving, I shared the wonderful Christian doctors that God has providentially arranged for us to have in making the first endoscopic exams, and the good report from the CT scan.
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| Court with Pastor P. Sanjeeva Rao and his godly deacon the first day we met in India. Though severely physically handicapped these two men tirelessly work in winning souls. They are such an example in Christ to all of us. They have been greatly strengthened and helped by their American brethren. We must continue. |
On December 1, Sandy and I met with my oncologist for the first time. When he came into the room I asked if he would mind if we prayed before discussing my condition. He immediately acknowledged that he also was a Christian and reached out his hands to pray with us. We bowed our heads together as we prayed, thanking our gracious God for providing such wonderful doctors to care for us in our needs. This wonderful brother then spent 1 ½ hours with us discussing the treatment to clear my esophagus of cancer. We were so encouraged again to be under the guidance of a godly and caring doctor.
On December 6, I had a PET scan to thoroughly exam my body for any traces of cancer. In answer to the prayers of God's people, the test showed no cancer except in the lower part of my esophagus. While I was waiting for the actual PET scan I was supposed to be very still, but I could not keep myself from joyfully sharing the Lord with the technicians and nurses. I could not help it! I felt so overwhelmed by the love of God. I was so grateful for the wonderful care I was receiving. "Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." As I continued waiting for the PET scan, the assistant to the director of the hospital (who has helped our ministry to the saints for several years) stopped by with her precious daughter to encourage me!!! Five minutes later, a precious sister, the director for volunteers at the hospital, poked her head inside my door and said: "Are you Mr. Wood? Could I sing a song for you?" She had a portable CD player with her, and came into the room and sang so beautifully the worship song "For What Earthly Reason." I felt like I was being visited by an angel, and most certainly a precious daughter of the King. Also, the director of Radiology, and another Radiologist came to hear her sing, and to express to me their long desire and hope to one day go on a mission trip overseas. What a joy it is to be able to encourage these dear people in Jesus Christ, and to be encouraged by them!!!!! I will never forget that wonderful day. This is the grace of God and in answer to our prayers.
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| Sandy with a young Christian woman in India. Because of the influence of the Gospel, and needed help from their American Christian brethren, these wondeful young people are finally able to get an education and escaping the slavery endured by their parents and forfathers. For over 3,000 years their parents have been considered "untouchables" and have been ecomomic slaves under the caste system of Hindism. We must continue to help our brethren who have embraced "the truth which is in Jesus." "This is my command: love one another." |
That night, another Christian doctor who attends our church home group here in Bristol, emailed me with the good report of the PET scan. This advance information to the PET scan results was another answer to our prayers, for that same evening of December 6, late at night the Lord prompted me to contact by email Dr. Benjamin Kozower, MD, MPH, Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of Virginia, asking his consideration of me as his patient for the surgical aspect of my treatment, which will take place in about three months. I sent him a PDF file with my request written on the letterhead of our ministry, sharing our efforts to help and be a voice for the persecuted church. I wanted him to know what we (you our partners) are doing to help the Body of Christ. I also gave him a complete history of my treatment to date, my doctors names, the diagnosis, and the test results to date. The surgery for this condition is quite extensive, and we have been praying for the best surgeon possible. To my surprise the very next morning at 8AM I had an email from Dr. Kozower himself stating: "I would be happy to take care of you and it sounds like the overall plan is a good one. I would prefer to see you before therapy begins! You have already had an EGD, an endoscopic ultrasound and a PET scan which is an excellent staging workup. Please call my office and speak with Judy Phelan. We can schedule an appointment." Another answer to your prayers!!!!!!!!!!!
The very next day, last Thursday, we left our house in Bristol, VA at 7AM and drove the 4 ½ hours to Charlottesville to meet with Dr. Kozower. It was so encouraging. We found him to be a caring, and brilliant Jewish surgeon. Another answer to your prayers!!!!!!!
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| Court with Pastor Joshua Atieno (Kenya) and Pastor George Pulidindi (India). We were in Kenya together proclaiming our Lord Jesus Christ with one voice and one heart. "May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me." Our Lord Jesus Christ, Johns Gospel. |
Oh how the world has been blessed by the Jewish people. And yet they have been so despised and have suffered so much. I was thinking this morning how evil our world is. Think about it!!! Adolf Hitler, one of the most evil men to have ever lived, wanted to create a "super race" and in his twisted reasoning he sought to do so by eliminating and putting to death the only race of people that can truly claim that they are gifted above all people, the Jewish people. Yet you will not see the Jewish people boasting about themselves. They have quietly gone about serving mankind, even until this day. Any form of anti-Semitism is from the pit of hell. And horrifyingly, much of the sufferings of the Jewish people for the past 1600 years has been at the hands of religious hypocrisy disguising itself as "Christianity." This was true under the tyranny of Catholicism and later anti-Semitism practiced by some of the reformers such as Luther. Even today in liberal churches, and in churches teaching "replacement theology," there is no love taught for the Jewish people, and no support for the nation of Israel. In fact in many of the liberal churches today, support is given to the "Palestinians" who teach their grade school children that Jews are pigs and should be put to death. I am very thankful that I want no part of "religion" but will only follow the "Lamb of God," "the Good Shepherd," "a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief." May God help us all to stand with the Jewish people and the nation of Israel in these final days of history as we await the Day of the Lord. We are not true Christians if we do not love the Jewish people, who are so hated by Satan because Jesus was born a Jew.
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Experiencing the joy of the Lord together with the poorest of the poor in the Southern Philippines. They need our love and help.
So many are coming to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. |
When we were visiting with Dr. Kozower, he was in full agreement with the suggested plan of treatment of our oncologist, and with our gastroenterologist. Since I will be needing a feeding tube at times during my radiation treatment, chemotherapy, and surgery, Dr. Kozower asked if he could also do this procedure himself so he could be sure "it was done right." I had been worried about this necessary aspect of my treatment, so having this outstanding surgeon also perform this preliminary surgery was another answer to your prayers!!!! Sandy and I will be driving back to Charlottesville this Thursday, Friday I will have a port for chemotherapy and the feeding tube positioned by Dr. Kozower, and I will spend one or two nights in the hospital. On Sunday we will return home. On the next day, Monday, I will be admitted to the hospital for 4 days of in hospital chemotherapy, and also begin 5-6 weeks of radiation therapy. This will be followed by 8-10 weeks rest, and then I will have surgery performed by Dr. Kozower to repair the esophagus.
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| Sandy praying for widows in India |
Our surgeon, oncologists, and gastroenterologists all are encouraging us that we have every reason to expect good results from the treatment. They said that this is because of the limits of the tumor to the esophagus, my otherwise excellent health, and also Sandy's and my cheerful and positive attitude. We know the peace and confidence we have is only possible through the kindness and love or our Lord Jesus Christ, and because of the love and prayers of God's people for these unworthy servants!!!!
Sandy and I know that the next few months will include some very difficult days for both of us, but we know many of you will be praying for us, and we know that the Lord will be alongside of us, through the Holy Spirit, the promises of His Word, and through our Lord's healing touch upon our hearts, souls, minds, and bodies.
Please pray that Sandy and I will be faithful witnesses to all the medical personnel that we will be encountering, and to other patients that will be around me. Pray that our faith will not waver, but rather grow stronger through this "trial of our faith." Pray that we will be strong and courageous. Our confidence and trust in the Lord is what is most important to pray for.
Please also pray for the Lord to continue to impart continued physical strength and healing to my body, both by His merciful and healing touch, and through the prayerful and skillful care of His servants, the doctors and nurses that will attend to me. I have already been experiencing wonderful strengthening in my body, heart, and soul. This is the grace of God, in answer to the prayers of God's people.
Going through this trial of physical affliction, I am reminded so often of the great sufferings of our fellow Christians who live in countries such as India and the continent of Africa. How grateful we should all be that we live in America, where medical care is so accessible. If I were a Christian living in India, Africa, and many other countries, I could not afford medical care. How can we not continue to help our brethren, for Christ lives in them. They have believed in, and loved our Lord Jesus Christ. And these are our brethren, indeed they are the brethren of the Lord. We must continue to "lay down our lives for our brethren."
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| With my dear brother Pastor E. Samuel in India |
Please be assured that the ministry and work of In Jesus' Name Ministries will not slow down or cease at all. Sandy and I are counting on all of you to stand with us as never before. I will continue to work throughout my treatment and although there will be some days when I cannot get to my desk, especially following surgery in a few months, I will be at my desk each day working every moment that I can. And when I cannot work at my desk, then I will be praying for you, and for our brethren. Will you believe with us that 2012 will be the best year to date for our helping our brethren living "behind the gates of hell" in the Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, and Communist nations!!! I am committed. Will you join with Sandy and me in that commitment this next year, and the next, for us to re-double our efforts to help our brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ scattered throughout the world!!!! If we are able to help our brethren even more than before, than surly this "light and momentary affliction." will "work together for our good," and for the good of the Body of Christ. When we "carry each other's burdens, ....in this way you (we) fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2 We are worshiping our Lord both "in spirit and in truth." We are loving our brethren "not with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth." 1John 3:16-19
Your gift will mean so much to a congregation of believers somewhere in our world, and your love for our brethren will also so greatly strengthen Sandy and me in our faith and resolve.
link to help our brethren
We pray you have a wonderful Christmas.
So gratefully slaves of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Court and Sandy Wood
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."Romans 8:28-39
Link to In Jesus' Name Ministries Website
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| "Though the LORD is on high, he looks upon the lowly, but the proud he knows from afar. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand you save me. The LORD will fulfill [his purpose] for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever-- do not abandon the works of your hands." Psalm 138:5-8
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