Dana's Christian Journey

musings of a thankful cancer survivor

Author: Dana

  • play

    —

    Dana

    Five words hung in our gathering place in Nicaragua as we worked with Amigos for Christ the week of Thanksgiving. Each word was designed to be the theme of a day. Throughout the week I realized the unifying power of doing things together.

    photoThe first word was ‘play,’ which is interesting since we don’t often associate ‘play’ with ‘kingdom’ activity. The focus was the importance of coming together as followers of Jesus to be a witness to the communities we would serve. The ‘play’ was actually a quite challenging task of climbing Cerro Negro, one of the many volcanoes in Nicaragua.

    “We are all going to meet at the top of the volcano!” shouted John Bland, the founder of Amigos for Christ. “If you have to stop and rest, don’t worry… we have no time limit. Even if some of us need to be carried up the mountain, we’re all going to celebrate our accomplishment up there!” John pointed to the top of a solid black mountain. This was our day of play.

    John started Amigos for Christ fifteen years ago as he and his family moved from Atlanta to Chinandega. He is a humble guy and a Christ-like leader. When he said we were going to meet at the top of a volcano, none of us argued. We assumed he knew what he was talking about, so we all started climbing… all one hundred twenty of us.

    Our team of eighteen from Atlanta joined another seventy from various places in the States. Thirty Nicaraguans also joined the group, the strongest of which stayed at the rear to assist those who struggled on the climb. The temperature approached ninety degrees at the beginning, but thankfully dropped as afternoon clouds moved in. While the fastest made the climb in forty minutes, it took three and a half hours for John’s prediction to come true… one hundred twenty people cheered at the top of Cerro Negro.

    photo 4We experienced what many of us already knew to be true: ‘play’ can produce ‘teamwork’ and ‘teamwork’ can build ‘family.’ We don’t know how Jesus and the apostles played. But we know they climbed some mountains together; we know they lived in community; and we know they understood unity.

    Perhaps Jesus intends such experience for all His followers. Let’s not hesitate to play together in His Name. And let’s join His prayer for God’s children to be one.

    “I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You. May they also be in Us so that the world may believe that You have sent Me.” John 17:20-21

  • attitude

    —

    Dana

    As we begin a new year it is good to find joy in the goodness of God. I was asked recently to summarize fourteen years of dealing with cancer for a group of doctors and researchers in San Francisco. My conclusion was to give thanks… to God and to people.

    One of the doctors I thanked was the oncologist who diagnosed my multiple myeloma in 2000. I had not seen him in over two years, so I decided to visit him after returning from the conference. Upon arrival at his office, the receptionist at the desk screamed my name and started a big commotion. A nurse I knew well came into the waiting room and gave me a big hug. And, of course, Dr. Saker was very excited to see me healthy and strong. Gratitude tends to be contagious.

    On a winter day in 2001, I remember a young man getting a similar reception as I sat at this same doctor’s office receiving chemotherapy with a dozen other patients. He walked into the room wearing shorts, flip flops, and a Hawaiian shirt. He was carrying a large tray of sand and a vase of flowers. After giving each nurse a flower and a hug, he sat in the chemo chair, stuck his feet in the sand, and with a big smile exclaimed, “OK, let’s get started!” Looking around at the rest of us, he said, “I’ll tell you guys, attitude is everything when you’re going through the fight.”

    I was forty-one years old at the time and this patient looked at least ten years younger than me. A nurse told me he had endured three or four different bouts with cancer since he was a teenager and one of the diseases had returned. As the nurses prepared him, he told us that present treatments are a lot easier than they were when he was younger and that we would all be OK if we just took one day at a time. I think most of us thought this guy was a little crazy, but he encouraged everyone with a joyful attitude.

    Of course, no one smiles through all the pain or laughs at every hardship, but this man’s determination to think positively while encouraging others left a mark on me. I heard later that he did not survive the new cancer he faced, but that did not change his influence and it made me ask myself a question: “Live or die, what will be my influence?”

    If you’ve read these writings over the years, you may have noticed their conclusion that Jesus is the One who has the greatest power to influence. Unless we’re alive when He returns, we’re all going to die some day, so why not look to the One who holds life eternal? He tells us that if we believe in Him, death has no hold on us and we need not fear it. And since He faced greater trials than any of us ever will, He understands exactly what we feel. Jesus embraced suffering with eyes fixed on the joy to come and He invites us to do the same.

    Happy New Year!

    “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:2-3

  • waiting

    —

    Dana

    ‘Tis the season of waiting… Students are waiting to take the last exam of the semester. Teachers and kids are waiting for the last bell to ring before the holidays. Children and parents are waiting for the arrival of Christmas morning. And much of the world remembers the ancient story of a virgin mother and her husband waiting for a miracle child to be born in Israel.

    There was a man in Jerusalem who was waiting for a prophecy to be fulfilled. He was a righteous and devout man and his name was Simeon. We don’t know too much about Simeon, but we can conclude that he was very close to God. In fact, the Holy Spirit had told him that he would not die until he saw the promised Messiah.

    One day Simeon was led to go to the Temple, the most holy place in Jerusalem. While walking through the courts, the Holy Spirit revealed that a little baby with a young couple was the One he had been waiting to see.

    “Simeon took Him in his arms and praised God, saying: ‘Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, You now dismiss Your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to Your people Israel.’ The Child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about Him.” Luke 2:28-33

    Did anyone else hear these words Simeon declared? Mary and Joseph took them to heart, but I’m not sure anyone else believed. “What’s that old man saying? Does he actually think a little baby is going to save all of Israel? And what is he saying about the Gentiles? Strange, strange…”

    Today, lovers of the Savior are still waiting. We’re waiting for the kingdom to come, for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. We’re waiting for justice to rule the nations and for suffering to cease. We’re waiting for the return of the King.

    Merry Christmas!!

    “Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.” Luke 2:25-26

  • ASH

    —

    Dana

    Over 26,000 people gathered in San Francisco this past week for the American Society of Hematology Conference, where doctors and researchers shared progress being made in the fight against blood cancers. I was invited to speak to a group committed to find a cure for multiple myeloma.

    Susan and I flew to the West coast Friday and walked around Fisherman’s Wharf, taking in the view of the Golden Gate Bridge and other beautiful sights. We rode the famous cable cars up and down the steep streets of the city and ate seafood on the bay. We had a great day.

    On Saturday, we made new friends at a nice dinner given to survivors and support group leaders. Three other patients joined me at a reception where we shared our experiences and expressed appreciation to those who work to help those dealing with cancer. We were with doctors and researchers from Japan, Italy, Australia, India, and the US.

    Brian Durie, one of the world’s leading multiple myeloma doctors, introduced each patient before we stood to speak. Susan and I flew to Los Angeles in 2001 and met with Dr. Durie to ask advice about six months after I was diagnosed. I don’t think he remembered us, but I was able to thank him, my doctors in Atlanta, nurses, and researchers for their contributions to my health.

    I also thanked Susan in front of a crowd well aware of the role care givers have in the life of a cancer patient. The Person I thanked above all was Jesus, who has walked with me and given us all peace through the years. I told about people who prayed for us and of incredible answers God has given. Though I don’t consider myself a polished orator, several thanked me for speaking from my heart.

    If our hearts are full of God’s love, maybe that’s what Jesus wants us to do. “Go and tell how much the Lord has done for you, and how He has had mercy on you,” Jesus told the man who had been delivered from a legion of evil spirits. That’s what I want to do too.

    “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…” I Peter 3:15

  • amigos

    —

    Dana

    Karlyn and I had a great week in Nicaragua. Thanks for your prayers! Our team of eighteen joined about fifty other Americans who came to work along side our Nicaraguan friends in a small village called La Chuscada.

    John Bland founded Amigos For Christ after he visited Nicaragua in 1999 in the aftermath of a devastating hurricane. Soon after that trip, he and his family moved to the city of Chinandega and began serving communities in practical ways.

    “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus sometimes asked people when they came to Him. If Jesus asked outlying villages of Nicaragua this question, the answer might be, “We need clean water to drink,” or “We would like our children to have the chance to get a good education.”

    The goal of Amigos For Christ is ‘to make Christ more visible.’ La Chuscada received running water in their community last Thanksgiving, and this year we worked with the citizens of the village to build a school. What a sight it was to see two hundred people working together every day to dig foundations, pour concrete, and erect the framing of an eight-room school building!

    Until now, school was held in the dirt under the trees. When it rained, plastic was draped above the desks. Two dedicated teachers did the best they could in difficult circumstances, but now they are so excited about the future.

    Once again, I feel blessed to witness the Body of Christ loving the way God loves. Even as we do seemingly simple things, Jesus becomes more visible and God is honored.

    “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

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