Testimonies of St. Mary’s Church, Dubai, Outreach and Growth Retreat

I was really overwhelmed at the outreach in Dubai Prayer Meeting that I attended yesterday evening and what you spoke about on “Suffering” made me reflect a lot on our faith, and also bring back memories of my late wife Colleen Misquitta, details of which I would like to share with you.
I have attached in this email the testimony that Colleen sent out to everybody which is self-explanatory. When she was diagnosed with Cancer in October ’99 we were completely shattered, and the next day attended the prayer meeting that you conducted in Dubai with Fr. Fio. (Not sure if I got the name right) Colleen spoke to you then and your words to her was “Jesus has already taken on himself your suffering 2000 years ago so do not worry” Soon after we went home Colleen felt very calm and happy and accepted her cancer in a positive manner determined that she would continue with her life as she normally did and leave the rest in Gods hands.
On your following visit to Dubai Colleen talked briefly to you before the service and told you that she was completely cured. You even made the announcement at the service of her testimony of being cured. Colleen’s cancer came back in her lower back about 3 years later and this time things moved very fast. We want to Al-Tawam hospital on 26th April 2003 following her failure to pass urine. They decided to admit her and carried out various tests, to find out that urine was not passing from her kidneys to her bladder.
They decided to have emergency surgery at around midnight to insert tiny tubes from the kidneys to the bladder but the anesthesian said she was too weak to take general anesthesia. Being a fighter that she was having already endured so much pain, she authorized them to carry out surgery under local anesthesia going through the extreme pain conscious during surgery without complaining. The surgery was a success but after a few days there were other complications due to the spread of the cancer. Colleen finally passed away very gracefully on 15th May 2003. My younger daughter traveled from Canada and we both stayed with her in hospital during her last days till she died. Colleen received her last sacraments earlier from Fr. Mathew the Parish Priest in Al Ain.
On the day that Colleen passed away she woke up as usual and asked me about the test results of the scan that was done earlier, which I knew was bad. She asked me to tell the doctors that she would take the chemo in tablet form, as they were unable to give it to her intravenously. We were told the previous day that the cancer had spread too far and that it was only a matter of time before she would pass away, not realizing that it would be the very next day. Colleen went in to unconsciousness about 10 a.m. that morning and we all prayed around her bedside. We were advised that her sense of hearing could still be active till the end. Fr. Daniel the Parish Priest from Dubai also visited her that morning and spent time with her alone when she was unconscious. He gave her last sacraments and told us later that she gave him a sign that she could hear him. Colleen’s breathing than started to get heavy and my younger daughter in tears that afternoon, kept telling her “Mum do not hold on, go to Jesus” Colleen finally stopped breathing at about 4.45 p.m. after tears rolled down her eyes a sign that we thought was her last good-bye.

Brother Lewis I lost my wife at a time when I thought we had achieved everything in life for our family. We started at the bottom and through hard work made it to the top. After bringing up two wonderful children, we were making plans for us to slow down, take things easy, and enjoy life. But god had different plans and decided to take colleen away as she had accomplished her mission in full. Fr. Daniel actually said “Colleen has suffered enough and will go straight to Heaven.” He also made a statement in church “Even a shamal shall not take away the footprints that she has left in Dubaii.”

Throughout her treatment Colleen never ever complained about her pain or suffering giving us instead courage, keeping the family together and spirit at home lively and normal. My younger daughter told me after Colleen’s funeral that on her last night at the hospital whilst we were asleep she could hear Colleen in her pain and suffering praying not for herself, but for Debbie and me, saying “Jesus please take care of my Debbie and my Clement.” That same morning, she gave her blessings on the telephone, to my son-I-law (who she never saw) who called from the US knowing she was seriously ill, to ask for her permission to propose to my older daughter. We never thought Colleen would pass away the very next day. They got married on 2nd October 2004 and are happily settling down into married life in the US. My younger daughter graduated the following year and has now started her working career in Canada. I live alone in Dubai and spend time with my children and other family members whenever I can, taking life one day at a time. We know that Colleen is looking down on us from heaven and praying for us.
I shall be there this evening and on Wednesday and I bless praise and thank God for giving us someone so wonderful such as you to spread the faith. I hope and pray that we have many more like you who we so desperately need in this modern day world.
Brother Lewis thank you again from the bottom of my heart for the good words you had to share with Colleen and for all the wonderful work that you are doing for the Catholic faith which I truly believe is the one and only true faith.

May God Bless you now and always.

Praise and thank God.
The outreach programme by Br.Trevor Lewis was one of the best I have attended so far. Of course the other preachers were equally good, but I received a lot of new information, which I did not in the past. One of the most valuable thing is that I came to understand and value the ‘Fruit of the Holy Spirit’ to which I did not pay much attention to before besides, the value of private prayer in life and the knowledge of the Bible.
I thank the St.Marys English Charismatic group, Dubai for bringing br.Trevor to Dubai and wish for more sessions like this.

The outreach has been a very spiritually rewarding experience for me and my husband. Many of my friends attended and shared their inner and outer healing which they had not experienced before. We ourselves found that inner peace. The videos on the early Christians and the saints were very touching and brought tears to my eyes. We should have these programmes more often. The timings also were very convenient. Thank you.

I attended the outreach programme on the 1st 4 days of October and then 5th and 6th. It really nourished me spiritually and helped me to accept God’s plan in my life. How I need to strive more to enjoy eternal life. Must not grumble but accept my cross. It also helped me to know more about the gifts and fruit of the Holy Spirit, Gods love and personal prayer, Bible reading etc., how I need to repent and forgive my enemies to get more blessings from God. Many more things really touched me. All thanks to God. I sincerely thank and praise God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit from the bottom of my heart for each and every blessing bestowed upon me and my family and for making the way to attend this outreach programme even though transport was not easily available. All thanks to God. I feel that he (Br.Trevor) could not cover more things since the time provided was too less. If the audio or video of his talks are available, please announce in charismatic prayer, so that we can hear again. Such retreats / programmes really strengthen us and help us to lead our lives as Jesus led his life.

Praise the Lord! I have learnt a lot from this retreat e.g:

• the difference between the Catholic & Protestant / other churches
• true prophesy and false prophesy identification
• gifts of the Holy Spirit and fruit of the Holy Spirit
• the steps in prayer
• increased my faith and confidence in Catholic Church and God.

I have attended your outreach prayer for the 1st time, and it is truly wonderful and so enriching. You talks were for our soul. You have told so many things which I was not knowing about of our faith. But there are times when I am confronted by other faiths (muslim) people when they say that their faith (religion) is complete and not the Christian faith. I wish in your next visit (talk) you will help us as to how we can explain our Muslim brother that what they say is not true. I know that our Christian faith is the only true faith that will take us to heaven, but how do I counter the Muslims about their faith. I know that they believe in the same GOD THE FATHER. Please email me if you can. One point please slide the hymns upwards for the congregation to read the words, so that all can join in the singing. Br.Trevor, may the good Lord Bless and keep you. Yours in Jesus Christ.

I was feeling a severe shoulder pain. During the teaching my pain just left and I was feeling well again.
I am very happy and praise and thank the Lord for the St. Mary’s church for organizing this retreat. I was missing on my spiritual food all these 7 years. As I am one of the Jeevan Jal member, I had lost all the food (spiritual) for so long. I was drifting away from my prayer life, which I always mention to brother, when I meet him during my vacation visits in Bombay. This retreat was a real revival for my body, mind and soul. No doubt the teachings were short due to time constraint, but I received a lot all in a nut-shell. I praise and thank Lord for appointing such a wonderful leader, brother and a shepherd (Trevor) to guide God’s flock that goes astray sometimes. I would love joining the prayer meeting, but I live in Jebel Ali and I am committed to St.Francis the Assisi Church. Last but not the least, all praise and glory be given to God Almighty. Amen.

Brother Trevor, I really enjoy your preaching the Word of God, and I ask Almighty God to have more blessing on you and your family. Thank you for your kind words. And I ask Lord Jesus to change my life and my attitude towards others. Bless my friend and my family. Thank you Jesus

I, Mrs.Matilda Fernandes would like to give testimony on behalf of my husband, Mr.Joesph Fernandes. My husband’s both kidneys have failed as a result of which he has become weak. He undergoes dialysis twice every week., and we are now looking for some donor for his kidney transplantation. He couldn’t walk fast and used to feel tired, but after he has attended this retreat and the healing service, he finds himself more energetic and active physically and mentally than before. So he would like to thank and praise the Lord from the bottom of his heart.

Br.Trevor is a gift of God for all of us. I had been experiencing pain in my little fingers for several months. After attending Br.Trevor’s retreat in Dubai, I have been cured of the pain. Praise God. Thank you Jesus.

Thank you Jesus for touching me in this retreat. I was born again 12 years before. But there was something less in me. In this meeting, I received the power of forgiving others. Thank you Jesus. Thank you Lord. And I praise you Lord for sending Br.Trevor in this place. And I now know all the truths. I am only 6 std. Man. But Lord you have given me that power so that I can give the word of God to others who don’t know Jesus. Thank you Lord. Praise you Jesus. Yours sincere servant

Praise God, Brother Trevor
Brother, I must tell you the growth retreat, you conducted for all the parishioners in Dubai was awesome. It was an excellent learning for each one of us, especially God’s love, salvation, gift of the Holy Spirit, relationship with Lord Jesus. The fruit of the Holy Spirit and the Persecution, was an eye opener for me for the 1st time attending this kind of retreat. I have never had a learning of this extent in the past. I praise and thank God for this beautiful retreat and asking the Lord for this grace to put this into practice especially the relationship with God and fruit of the Holy Spirit. I would gladly appreciate if you would enter the information on the Fruit of the Holy Spirit on your web site. This has really enlightened my knowledge on God and the Holy Spirit and I would like to learn more about it. I praise and thank God for this opportunity. Your sister in Christ.

During the outreach talk on 30th October, I felt slight toothache. After going home, the pain intensified and affected the left upper jaw and shaken up the last tooth (grinder). The tooth had never given any trouble, although I have two tooth decayed. I spent a sleepless night and could not attend office. I went to the dentist who prescribed antibiotics/pain killers. The pharmacy was closed, as I did not want to miss the meeting on 1st Oct. Did not buy the medicine till today. I have no pain. Whatever the dentist explained, something the Lord revealed to me. ALL GLORY TO GOD. On 1st (Monday) during the healing service I claimed the healing for my sister Helen, who has been diagnosed with Lung Cancer. She attended the 3 days prayer meeting (Mumbai). After the prayer meeting, she went for a check up and the doctor aid she need no more treatment. During the healing service (Dubai) the Lord confirmed that she was healed. PRAISE THE LORD. I now feel I live in his presence day and night. I feel completely protected.

Br.Trevor’s teachings about the Gospel are an eye, heart, mind and soul opener. Although harsh at times, he reiterates the fact to keep away from wrong doings, and to strive to achieve the Fruit of the Holy Spirit. This teaching has made me a better and changed person, changed for the good of me, others and for the glory of God. There are many other facts and truths, which I was not aware of despite reading the Bible regularly: Br.Trevor made the scripture simple and understanding. He also pointed out several truths from the Bible as to why the Catholic Church is the only true Church.

Ps:22/25 “I will stand in the assembly of his people and tell the wonderful and beautiful things the Lord has done”. It was a great experience in this outreach retreat. I attended all the days of the retreat, and it was getting exciting as the days were passing. I could feel more of God’s love filling my heart and knowing deeper about worship. There was so much of power flowing in the midst of Gods children and mighty miracles taking place. The greatest experience was on the topic of suffering. It really touched me and to be honest throughout my life the explanation together with the clipping was deeper experience. How God gives the strength and power to go through suffering with death.

I thank God for revealing the sacred mysteries and hidden truth to his humble children and hiding them from the clever and learned people. Thank you Jesus. Praise you Jesus. Love you Jesus.

Feedback: This retreat has brought us so much closer to God and given us so much of faith. We pray that God listens to his children that we have this retreat twice or thrice a year. It will help us to renew our spiritual life and to learn more about our Lord Jesus, who loves us so much. Praise you Jesus always. Your praises will be continually on my lips

The meeting was good, but personally it enabled me to understand the stages involved in Christian growth. Not to remain where we are but to flow in the love and discipleship of our Lord. It takes courage determination and hard work to cross all barriers and to give our life to Jesus who loves us and gave his life for us. For us Jesus crucified and we crucified to the world. It is no longer we who live but rather Christ Jesus who lives in us. Especially in a place like Dubai where there are a lot of distractions, people tend to loose focus and even sometimes loose Jesus and again begin to search for him in retreats and churches and prayer meetings. Some messages and teachings are only having short lived memory in our lives, but teaching such of Br.Trevor Lewis will remain on our memory for ever and thus we begin to imitate Christ and the early disciples and early church which was more dedicated to God, and love for people was agape. Thanks

I have learnt a lot from this teaching. I have learnt how to surrender to the Lord, how to pray, how to do my personal prayer. I have tried my personal prayer, it’s a lot difficult at first, but I am sure my lord will help me.
The talk on Christian suffering has made us realize that our pains and problem are nothing at all. Thank you lord for showing us the way.
I want to pray and experience the Lords presence, I know the Holy Spirit will lead me to pray and fill me with his gifts, I have no doubts and will experience the Holy Spirit with in me soon.
Thank you Jesus, Praise you Jesus, Love you Jesus. Forgive me for the times I feel jealous, for the times I act lazy, for the times I lose my temper. I want to love you more and more.

There were 2 times in my entire life that I felt I was in heaven, once when I attended the retreat in Tabor ashram in Kalyan and from 28th Sep – 10th Oct. was one of my favorite because I learnt a lot of things related to Christianity and after 37 years of my life, I learnt from Bro. Trevor about “God” “Jesus” “Holy Spirit” and lots of more things, which opened my eyes wide, open specially suffering of “Jesus Christ”.

This retreat from 28th Sep. – 10th Oct. made me think about my own life and how much I have to change to make others happy and to be honest, I was going hay-wire all over my life and I was very much tensed but this retreat gave me peace, love and joy and I am thankful to Bro. Trevor and all his team for superbly taking care of all of us who attended the retreat and helped us to understand the true meaning of “Jesus”.

These types of retreat should be announced openly in the church and next time the arrangement should be in the main church or in the open compound and the hours must be extended so that what Bro. wants to preach to us must be completed. In the name of Jesus I thank once again Bro. Trevor and his team a very much success in future and request to pray for me more and more especially for my anger and my personal problem in the house as well in the office. Thank you.

The Outreach should be made mandatory for all catechists. It conformed the richness and treasures of our catholic church. It was excellent, simple, easy to follow, understand. The time allotted for each session was too short.

Thank you Jesus for loving my family and me. My dad, Mr.Jacinth Carvalho had a fall and had to undergo an operation. Doctor advised bed rest for 2 months and said he could not walk until much time,. I surrendered him to Abba the Author, the Creator of our life. Today when my dad spoke to me he said that he could walk. Thank you Jesus, also for opening my spiritual blindness to so many things you are my savior you alone the Way the Truth and Light.

Dear Lord Jesus,
I was healed of my legs of both my knees as the Lord has touched and now I can go the staircase up and down and also it was good that the Lord Jesus message is given to us so that we can keep him in our hearts. Thank you Jesus. Praise you Jesus. Alleluia

Since day one the outreach has been good for us it has bought the word of god alive. Specially now as there are so many who come to test your faith and to give reasons as to why our church is wrong. I pray that more of such retreat takes place in Dubai specially now as a lot of people are in the process of leaving our church.

Praise the Lord
The Outreach programme, was so nicely and superbly preached to the layman and the scriptures were understood by us. The topic on fruit of Holy Spirit was very well preached and made us understand that gift was important, but the fruit more important. And from now on we analyze and add it in our self with our day to day life which fruit we lack. It changed our living and the Holy Spirit daily convicts us when even we do something wrong in our day-to-day behavior and now we want to bear much more fruit.

We come from a Christian family who in times of trouble ONLY run to God. That is, I was a very casual Christian. What I meant by being a casual Christian is that we only used to pray when we needed something. But this outreach changed our lives. We know God is there, but we used to take him for granted. But here we are told God loves the sinner but hates sin, so I know now my God loves me and my family, he has given me his Holy Spirit whom we never gave so much of importance.

I really thank God for this outreach as it has brought us back very close to God. We hope to have some more outreaches like this so that we can come close to God