Silent Years
 

I have a vocal cord polyp and I have not been able to preach in my pulpit for one month now. Please pray for me! Thank you.

Praying that the Lord would teach you what He wants you to learn during this season of trial, and then when it fulfills its purpose, would heal you.

I too pray for healing and restoration of your voice. The Philippines needs to hear the gospel.

For now wait on the Lord while He renews your strength.

Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Love in Christ, Grace

I really appreciate for your response to the prayer request made. I used to preach and sing at the same time in open air meetings, and sometimes without a microphone in some remote areas in the Philippines. I am only 27 years old, oh, "how shall they hear?" Thank you very much for your prayers!

My prayers are with you. May God's will be done.

I pray the Lord will heal, and God's will be done.

i will pray
 

Greetings brother,

Being laid up and knocked out of ministry myself I understand some of what you are going through. We pray for your healing, but I do find that asking Him what He wants you to learn during this time and being cooperative to learn it is very important.

May God restore your voice by totally restoring good vocal health in the mighty Name of Jesus!!

bless ya

Mark

2 Corinthians 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Thanks for your prayers!

To all who prayed and are praying for me, THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

I still have hoarseness and discomfort in my voice, but I am back preaching since the third week of March, although I have to depend so much on the P.A. system. I may not be able to preach and sing out loud in on-the-spot, open-air preaching opportunities, but I can whisper to the microphone and preach to people outside. I gained more audience, due to being "soft spoken" now, rather than being "bombastic", as was before. My voice is beginning to regain a little volume. I still have to take long voice rest periods, but I need to be back to my pulpit as soon as possible. This week, we have revival nights for our church staff and volunteers at our church from Monday to Friday. I'm glad that God can use this infirmity to challenge my fellow laborers as well.

God knows who you are, and I want to let you know that God heard you. Once again, thank you for your prayers! 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Vacation Bible School is one of the most effective tool we use in "saturating" a barangay (village) with the gospel. Just this past week, we were able to cover a whole two barangays. I would like to thank you guys for praying for my voice. I am preaching more than often now (depending too much on the mic) but have to stop when the hoarseness comes in again. It just amazed me that most of the time, according to my fellow laborers, I sounded "normal" when I preach. Praise God!

As a result, our Sunday School attendance tripled, but using our jeepney ("bus ministry") for the first time. Next Sunday, I have to drive people and children to church, play the piano, preach, and then drive them back home. I will always need your prayer, but thank you all.

2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

To all you who were praying for me, I would like to thank you; the Lord is gradually answering your prayers. I can sing a bit now. I had not gone back to the doctor for checkup since January, since the only option was surgery. But it seems, it is no longer necessary!
I just finished preaching in a missions youth camp tonight, and I spoke for 2 hours and 10 minutes (8:00 - 10:10 pm). The Lord broke me in tears while browsing the site on Madagascar that Bible Senders posted, and the church where I spoke had the 10/40 window drawn on the stage. I believe God is giving me back my voice to preach in the regions beyond. Let me share an outline of my message tonight:
"FOR THIS CAUSE" (1 Tim. 1:12-17)
1. God enabled me.
2. God counted me faithful.
3. God put me into the ministry.
FOR THIS CAUSE:
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners

Hello my brother,

I pray you are much better now? Is all well with your throat? Do give us an update whenever ther is any improvement.

In Christ Love,
Renee

Hi, Renee! THANK YOU FOR PRAYING. I know you are one of the many out there who pray for me.

I just couldn't believe it! Vocal fold polyps don't just go away. The "S.O.P." according to throat specialist is to have it removed by surgery. My aunt and grandma recommended that I buy a certain kind of juice (which costs about $60, very expensive for me! $60 is the same cost for a laryngoscopy). So I preferred to buy it, although that keeps me "poor". I believe God used it in some way to help the recovery of my voice without surgery.

Last night, I sang again for the first time with our Bible during our Missions Night! I sang:

God wants to hear you sing, when the waves are crashing round you, when the fiery darts surround you, and despair is all you see. God wants to hear your voice when the wisest man has spoken and says your circumstance is as hopeless as can be; that's when God wants to hear you sing.

I still take a lot of voice rest periods and avoid loud talking. I can't use my voice as much as I wanted to, as was before. I know I still got the polyp inside my throat. But whether it's still there is is gradually going away, it doesn't matter anymore. The Lord has heard all your prayers. My voice is coming back - God wants me to PREACH, TEACH, and SING!

Hi Biblestudent, Glad to hear your throat is better, will be praying for you bro. I know what it is like to have probs. with your throat and voice when preaching. I was advised to use apple cider vinegar as a gargle, tastes yuck but does the trick. :)

Main thing is keep your throat and vocal cords lubricated, I noted on one of your posts you said when you were quieter you got more folks, reminded me of something I was told when I first started Street Preaching, 'If they can hear you a mile away, they will stay a mile away' ;)

It's a matter of balance I know, but does mean you can get up close and personal with folks.. :D

Take care brother and every blessing..:cool:

Thank you my brother,

I hope you do not mind that I address you as above, which is the way I address my flesh and blood brother. You are indeed my brother in Christ, my blood bought brother.

James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Thank Our God that He hears our prayers. Many a time in our life (mine and George) with each other and seven children, we have said,"But for the grace of God.)

God is always reliable and will do for us as He wills. Our problem is we are not always in His will.

God bless and keep you,
Renee

Thanks, for calling me "brother"!
(However, I am not personally so used to addressing others as "sister" due to the influence of Roman Catholic nuns in here.)
Although I do not use the term so often, I am so glad that you are a SISTER in the Lord indeed to me! :) You're prayers have been heard by our loving God.

chaplainles,
I remembered that time (when we preached at a cemetery in November 1) that I was not able to bring enough water, and I preached with really dry throat. :( Thanks for the reminder!

Biblestudent:
Are you able to accept PayPal payments? I would like to help out with your needs for the juice. Perhaps others will do the same?

Post your PayPal address here if you can.

Barry

Thank you for your desire to help with my needs. However, I don't think I have a paypal address. (I tried to have one before when I wanted to buy a booklet, but I didn't have credit card, and paypal seems to require it.):(

I Owe You This
 

To all who prayed for me here at A.V.1611.com/forums, I owe you a THANK YOU! Here's a favorite song for you:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CcOJLe3bas

I still have the polyp, but God has restored my voice. He heard you, so I can be heard again...singing!

Brother, THAT was a wonderful blessing. It is always glorifying to God for His children to praise Him!