Koperkhairane Outreach - Testimonies

EASTER SUNDAY - JUST A STONE THROW AWAY

I always wondered why there is only 1 Easter Sunday in the year? Are the remaining days in the year all for suffering?  All of us go through suffering and I am suffering too. 

I am Alvito Carvalho and I am testifying how the “Word of God” has literally not only touched my life but also changed my perception of suffering. My wife has been, is and always will be guided by the Lord’s presence in her life. I am very grateful to have her as my ‘life-partner’. My infant son who was ailing from a life-threatening disease (viz.  ITP low platelets count in blood) was touched and miraculously healed by the Lord through Br. Trevor Lewis’ prayers in the Lent of 2006. As for me, I was always busy getting drowned in my ‘suffering’, both in my personal and official life. I could write a ‘thesis’ on my suffering, but my real ‘official’ suffering started in the Lent of 2007. Without getting into many details, I would say that though my ‘suffering’ increased, my faith in God started increasing too. I was already aware of our God’s tremendous power through the cure of my son, but in my suffering, my Lord was now speaking and guiding me through His messages from the Word of God. II Mac 8:18 told me to trust Him completely to endure against all odds of life, however big they may be. Rm 12:19 counselled me to refrain from avenging the physical and mental torture that I was experiencing. I prayed to the Holy Spirit to come upon me and guide and strengthen me as I struggled along with all my ‘sufferings’ as it is very difficult to literally practise what is preached in the ‘Word of God’. 

We were all very excited when we came to know that Br.Trevor Lewis was organizing an outreach in Koparkhairane, Navi Mumbai from 6th to 9th Dec. 2007 since we stay at Vashi. I attended the outreach at Christ Academy school compound. This was the first outreach of Br. Trevor that I attended. I could not attend the 1st day, but after attending the session on the 2nd day (the day when we received the Baptism in the Holy Spirit), my wife, who was aware of the ‘suffering’ that I was going through told me that the 3rd days’ preaching on ‘Christian suffering after receipt of the Holy Spirit’ was very necessary for me and I should not miss it.  

The preaching on Christian suffering Jn 15: 1 - 3 especially the verse “Every branch that bears fruit, He prunes to make it bear more fruit” gave me a totally new insight on suffering. When Br. Trevor quoted the words 1 Pet 3: 13-15, 17 from the Bible, my whole approach towards my suffering turned for the better. The sufferings of the disciples and saints as depicted in the video clippings were very difficult to see. Tears welled up in my eyes and I wondered aloud “My suffering is nothing when compared to the persecution / sufferings that they went through”. 

As I was praying in the chapel on Sunday morning, I dwelt on the words of 1 Pet 3:13-15, 17 “Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear and do not be intimidated, but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord”. “ For it is better to suffer for doing good , if suffering should be God’s will , than to suffer for doing evil”. 

I kept asking God “Am I suffering because I am doing what is right?” That very evening, Sunday 9th Dec 07 (the last day of the outreach), Lord Jesus answered me positively. Just as the teachings on the Catholic Church were in progress (approx. 8:30 p.m.), the prayer meet was disrupted as some unidentified noisy miscreants pelted stones and bricks on the gathering from over the compound wall in a very furious manner. They also smashed the windscreens of the cars parked outside. A couple of large stones landed nearby and instinctively I grabbed my son to protect him from harm. I was frightened, not for myself but for my son. Just as I turned to my right and bent to shield him, whack!!!  A big stone hit me straight on my head. I gathered myself, picked up my shattered spectacles, carried my son and ran to the school enclosure.  It was only when I put my son down and saw drops of my blood on his clothes that I realized that I was bleeding profusely from my head wound. Let me tell you friends, I felt no pain though I was injured and bleeding. Praise the Lord! Is 49:15 flashed in my mind. 

After the chaotic situation was brought under control, the preaching continued. I attended the remainder of the session (which ended with the ‘healing service’) as the message is more important.  The words as mentioned above of 1 Pet 3:13-15, 17 had come alive in my life not only theoretically but also practically. 

I have kept my broken, blood-stained spectacles as a remembrance of that Sunday evening where victory of spirit over flesh was proved. Also, there is no need now for me to get Jesus Christ tattooed on my body. Christ has tattooed Himself on my forehead and as I stand in front of the mirror and comb my hair every morning, Jesus tells me through the mark on my forehead “Live on; live on; in my love. Your ‘Easter Sunday’ is just a stone throw away”. Whenever doubts arise, I bring to mind Mt 24: 13.  

Thank you Jesus, Praise you Jesus. 

Mr. Alvito Carvalho  
Vashi, Navi Mumbai.

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Big lump on the neck since 10 -12 weeks, which was very painful and now it has gone.

Water retention in the right knee and swelling. Difficult to sit or move the knee, since 1 week. Today, I am healed completely. I can move my knee without pain and the water has gone from my knee.

Ms. Nisha Babhale
Vashi

Slip disc pain vanished. Could not sit on the floor earlier, but now can sit.

Ms. Theresa Pereira
Koperkhairane

I had pain in the neck for 2 years and stomach pain for 2 months. It has become less.

Ms. Rosy B Adangle
Koperkhairane

My throat is cleared and my body is feeling light. Head has become cool and calm. This problem I had from 6 months.

Ms. Viola D’souza
Koperkhairane

Suffering from arthritis. Now am feeling good.

Pain and burning sensation in the stomach has gone. Acidity is gone. I had this problem for 6 months.

Ms. Nancy D’souza
Vashi

I feel peaceful. God has actually healed me not only from my physical sickness, but also my emotions. I thank God for this.

Ms. Michelle
Koperkhairane

My head was paining very badly and now I am fine. Thank you Jesus.

Ms. Agnes
Koperkhairane

My neck was paining and after the prayer it has gone. Thank you Jesus. I love you.

Ms. Padmini R Pereira
Koperkhairane

Right knee pain gone.

Mr. Joaquim D’souza
Vashi

Clearing of vision. Felt peaceful.

Ms. Cheryl Ann Melo
Sanpada

Pain in the neck for 3 months, now reduced.

Mr. Francis D’souza
Vashi

My leg pain in healed. My son’s nose is healed.

Jesus has filled me with peace.

Feeling peaceful and swelling on the neck seems to have gone.

I felt all the sadness has gone from my life and now I am feeling happy.

I had leg pain for 4 years and now it is gone. Felt better after prayers.

Healing of dry skin around the eyes.

Received lot of blessings, peace and happiness in our life.

Fever which was there for one week has left me.

Mr. Russell Menezes
Vashi

I have been really touched in these 4 days.

Ms. Freeda Aloon
Vashi

I feel very good and nice, peace within me.

Mr. Ronald Sequeira
Umerkhadi

I received the Holy Spirit in these days and I felt good and happy.

Ms. Mary Raj
Koperkhairane

For 1 year I had pain in the right side and today God has healed me.

Continuous family tensions and anxieties.  Elder 2 sons are not going for Church. Anxious about them. But Jesus took away my anxiety, filled me with His calmness cause He says He will give them salvation.

When Br. Trevor was praying some sound came in the left ear where I had problems and the joint in both hands became less and the jerks in the heart are gone. Praise the Lord Jesus for hearing me. Thanks to God.

Mr. Jose Leo Rebello
Kalbadevi

I had stomach pain for one year and now it is gone.

Free from neck pain which was there for 2 weeks.

Mr. Paul B Adangle
Koperkhairane

I had pain in my waist which has gone.

Leg pain for many years, now healed.

I am suffering from arthritis and could not make a tight fist as my fingers were too painful. But after the healing prayer, I could close my fingers to make a tight fist. Thank you Jesus.

Emotional pain healed. Healed of anger, wrath, unforgiveness. Joint pain and stiffness healed. Felt more stronger in spirit.