Here is an update to the God on the Move Story, Come and Rest!
"Enrique's (Ellie's husband) Petscan showed no hint of cancer! The doctor said it was one of the best cases of his career because it was so ugly and aggressive but responded so well to the treatment. He correctly told us the only thing we have to do now is celebrate!!!!! Thank you for your love and support and prayers!"
Original Article:
Monday, March 22, 2021
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
“To be honest,” Enrique told the congregation, “I’m tired! I’ve been sick for six months with nasopharyngeal cancer. I’ve had thirty-five radiation treatments, still getting chemotherapy, and I’m so tired!”
He was preaching at La Misión, the church on the grounds of the orphanage where we had met and been married. It was one of the largest churches in the valley and hosted many visiting pastors from the U.S., Canada, and different parts of Mexico. Enrique had long dreamed of preaching there since he’d arrived to the Bible School in 2007. Finally, he’d been invited by Mario Cordoba, our friend and the church’s current pastor.
“How many of you have felt weary or discouraged? By life, a disease, no work, too much work? We all need a refuge, somewhere to run to. My cancer treatment was very strong. I couldn’t eat and had to be hospitalized for five weeks. Because of the damage caused by the radiation, they told me I’d never sing again – but I just sang!”
Mario Cordoba has a forty-two-year-old daughter, Sandra, who has severe Cerebral Palsy. Her talking and singing are so garbled, few people can understand her even though she has a brilliant mind. She and Enrique had just sung two worship songs together. Not everyone appreciated the miracle of Enrique’s being able to sing but no one could miss the passion and harmony of the duo.
“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
(v. 29-30)
“When the discouragement gets too heavy, I climb into the yoke with Jesus and my burden becomes light!” he continued. “I can rejoice because I know God is working in me. Throughout the trial, He blessed me and I learned from Him. He carried me through each day!”
I was both – weary and burdened. Already tired of the voyage through Enrique’s cancer and treatment, I’d just found a soft mass in one axilla and had been suffering from migraines. The day before I had not taken Christ’s yoke upon me. Instead, I’d wallowed in self-pity, discouragement, and spiritual apathy, not a pretty place to be!
But Sunday, my own husband, also struggling, reminded me of our refuge. He preached similar messages in the morning as at night and it took root.
I wanted nothing more than to be side by side with Jesus – I worshipped and prayed and leaned completely into Him - and voila! My burden became light and my soul rested! You can’t make this stuff up; it is rock solid Truth!
“He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.”
(Isaiah 40:29)
Submitted by Ellie Goolkasian
