Tara's Testimony

     Following a diagnosis of lung fibrosis in early 2008, I had to undergo a surgical lung biopsy to determine the extent of the damage so that my pulmonologist could decide upon a course of treatment. The surgeon found widespread damage and said I had interstitial lung disease which was causing the tissues of my lungs to become scarred and fibrotic. Much to my shock, he stated that I would have only 2½ years to live! My pulmonologist immediately started treating me with a high dose of prednisone. According to him, I would require a lung transplant because the damage was irreversible and no cure exists for this disease. After a year of treatment, he advised me to see a specialist in interstitial lung disease at Weill Cornell hospital.

     Despite this dire doctor’s report, I was not scared or discouraged because I knew that Jesus took all my infirmities and healed all my diseases. I started trusting Him more and more. Though I was prayed for on several occasions and felt better at times, I got progressively weaker until I was unable to do anything at home. In order to preserve my energy and continue to work, my husband had to take over everything that I would ordinarily be doing around the house. My boss and co-workers could not understand how I was able to work but I knew that it was only by the grace of God. 

     I then developed rhinitis which triggered an ongoing cough. The constant coughing caused ulceration in my larynx, so now I had to take additional medication which caused even more side effects. I was feeling worse and worse to the point that I had to leave my job and go on disability in October of 2010. The specialist at Weill Cornell did not discuss a lung transplant but wanted to start me on another medication. When I refused this, he increased the other medications I was taking at the time.

     On June 10, 2011, I attended a special healing service at my church, Pillars of Faith Tabernacle, where I was prayed for and healed. During the service, I received a confirmation of my healing from the Lord: “Arise, go your way, your faith has made you well” (Luke 17:19). The next day I got up early in the morning and was able to do things that I hadn't been able to do for a very long time: I did some work in the kitchen and went grocery shopping. After returning home, I did some cooking for almost three hours without a break yet still felt full of energy. That same night I went to a concert at church and still felt energetic when I arrived home at 11 p.m.At my doctor’s appointment the following week, he decreased the medication because he saw that my lung function had improved. Every day I continue to feel stronger and I'm able to do more and more with each passing day. All glory and honor to the Lord my healer!

A Letter from Sri Lanka...

Dear Pastor Vincent,

 I was so happy to get a reply from you. I have never for a moment forgotten Pillars of Faith. I still consider it my home church. I break into tears thinking about you guys. You'll were so close to me in spirit. When God put me there, I was a broken,bitter,rebellious,angry person within me. When He spoke to me every Sunday, Wednesday, Friday through the meetings we had in church the love of God that came with it was simply amazing. Since I was hurting at the time, I did not return that love back to God or to you guys. What I saw for the glory of God was real leadership even during hard times. I saw the Word in action through the leadership and I am most grateful to God my Father for that. The foundation I received there is a firm one. I have great respect for your parents and you for building me up in the faith. I have spoken about Pillars at my fellowship meetings here in our local church. I am a U.S citizen and a proud one too. The fact that it's a christian nation and the enormous good it is doing in spreading the gospel around the world is the reason. I hope to return to the U.S if God permits me. For now He wants me here. I will be in touch, that's for sure. God bless.

-Prasad