Behind The Gate

Terminal cancer.
Homelessness.
Hiding from imprisonment.
We had no idea what was waiting for us behind the gate.

Our ministry in the 10/40 window led us to encounter Greg, a watchman over the property that our fellow missionaries are looking to purchase for the expansion of their work. He was waiting for us behind the gate of the property to give us a tour. In a country where 98% of the population is Islamic and there is persecution of Christians, we were surprised to find out that he was a Christian.

The details of his personal story were astounding- growing up in a Soviet satellite nation, fleeing his position in the army after being tasked with an assassination that he refused to complete, alienated from his family for 20 years. Now granted political asylum in this current country, he was homeless with a body merely a shell of what it had once been due to brain cancer. Migraines, bouts of blacking out into unconsciousness, high blood pressure and so very much pain accompanied his terminal condition. Unable to retain employment due to both his "blackouts" and not being a Muslim, he could no longer pay his medical bills; he was now a man targeted for imprisonment, hiding from the authorities. The property owner allowed him to live on the vacant land as the watchman, so long as he would look after it. Two mangy dogs and a small stove were his only companions- no running water, no electricity. The well-spoken gentleman, who knew 5 languages, had an air of dignity about him that didn't fit his circumstances; yet, he quietly asked us to excuse his smell, as he had not been able to shower in 4 days.

Before inviting him back with us to shower and have his clothes washed, we prayed with our destitute brother. Javen had a word from the Lord for him- "I can see the fear in your eyes. I can see that you are afraid of dying. The devil has a plan for your death, but I hear the Lord saying not to focus on the plan the enemy has for you, because He still has a plan for the life before you. I believe that this was an ordained moment, not simply for seeing this property, but God knew you were going to be behind this gate today, and He wants to touch you. I believe He brought us here for your healing, and I believe that today you have received that healing."

The day before we left the country, we received a phone call from a weeping man on the other end. Upon our team members covering his medical debt, he had returned to the doctor. Astonished physicians found no trace of the tumor that had taken up residency in his brain nor the high blood pressure that had accompanied it- even the other conditions associated with his cancer had disappeared. The tumor had vanished completely. The surprised doctors didn't know what to do or where to go from there, so they said, "Come back if you have any relapses or major problems, but if nothing arises, just return for a regular check up in 2 years!"

Greg had no clue that a face to face appointment with Jesus was waiting for him; yet, as he opened the door to our team, an encounter with a living Savior was ushered in. May we never abandon our faith in the One who never forgets us. Even when we feel that we are in our last moments of being able to stand up under our circumstances, He is there. We never know what is waiting for us just "behind the gate" of our lives.

"But my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." -Philippians 4:19

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you." - Deuteronomy 31:6


*All in less than 3 weeks time, Greg is now reunited with his daughter, whom he had been separated from for 20 years. They now live in her home country of residence. Oh, what a Savior we have!