~ Sonoko Kumagai (Ida Manmin Church, Japan)

One day in July 2005, a pair of pants that had fit me pretty well in the past felt unusually tight. I realized my stomach had swollen and looked like I was ready to give birth. I was in pain from head to toe and was unable to eat. After losing 6 kilograms (more than 13 pounds) in a week, I went to see a doctor on August 5 and was stunned when I heard the diagnosis.
"It's ovarian cancer. The cancer is over 5,000; it's really high."

Repenting of the past

I took a leave of absence from work and underwent an operation. Cancer had spread throughout the peritoneum that it was not removable and the doctor said his only recommendation was chemotherapy. Without too much to gain, I left the hospital in a few days.
While I was staying at home, I began reading the Bible from Genesis and examining myself to see why I became subject to such trials and what sins I had still remaining in me.
Although I'd been a Christian since childhood, God reminded me of how I had lived a self-centered life and how I'd been unable to be at peace with my husband as I had to juggle among working, raising children, and doing house chores. When I repented of each sin, God filled me with love and peace.

Receiving prayer from Rev. Dr. Jaerock Lee

I had been familiar with Ida Manmin Church and its Pastor Rev. Seung-gil Ryu. I had also been given Rev. Dr. Jaerock Lee's testimonial memoir and received God's grace through his crusades, upon hearing about my cancer, Rev. Ryu advised me to receive prayer from Rev. Dr. Lee. So I decided to visit Manmin Joong-ang Church in Korea in October 2005 and ask Rev. Dr. Lee for his prayer.
My family, who had no faith, was concerned. Yet, I had the faith by which I believed I could be healed and after preparing an offering and with prayer the way General Naaman had done, I boarded the plane for Korea.

Dramatic drop in the cancer level

When I arrived at the Church for the Friday All-night Service on October 7, 2005, the sights of the massive sanctuary and the Spirit-filled faces of brothers and sisters made me feel like I was in heaven. When I met with Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. Jaerock Lee for his prayer alongside the rest of the group from Japan, I received teeming grace from his gentleness and humble heart.
"…scorch the ovarian cancer from its root. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ"
The moment Rev. Dr. Lee prayed for me, I felt my stomach beginning to heat up and became certain that I had just received God's healing. I felt better day after day and the rest of my visit to Korea was very enjoyable. When I returned to Japan, I went to the hospital for another exam and the cancer that had been over 5,000 had incredibly dropped below 100.
After experiencing God's grace firsthand, I joined and started attending Ida Manmin Church. One day, I felt my body heat up twice and I could feel in my heart that Rev. Dr. Jaerock Lee was praying for me at those moments.

"Everything's normal now."

As I was faithful to my God-given duties at the church and marched onward in Christ, my heart was always at peace and overflowing with joy. My condition also improved; about six months later, I regained all the weight I had lost. I strove to recompense for God's grace as I served in the choir and in serving meals on Sundays.
When I went back to the hospital for a regular physical on March 2, 2006, I learned that everything was "normal." Hallelujah!
On top of this, God has blessed the faith of my 15-year-old daughter and her grandfather to grow while I serve Him today as assistant mission leader of the 1 Women's Mission. Whenever I hear the Senior Pastor's message of life, in gratitude I begin shedding tears. I am going to do everything I can to spread the news of the Living God and the works of His power.
I give thank and glory to God who has healed me and I also thank Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. Jaerock Lee, Rev. Seung-gil Ryu, and fellow brothers and sisters in Christ at Ida Manmin.

Exams



1. Before receiving prayer: CA 125 cancer: 5420 (8/12/05)
2. After receiving prayer: CA 8.9cancer (normal range) (3/2/06)