The Hope of Easter in the Midst of Loss
On Easter we celebrated Jesus’ resurrection. Because of his life, death, resurrection, and glorification we can truly find hope in the face of great loss that we might experience here on earth.
In early March 2016, I heard a testimony about this from two individuals, David VanderLeest and Lonna Heideman, at the Iowa Dunamis #4, “The Healing Ministry of Jesus Christ”.
Grief and Comfort
David and Sally VanderLeest have been Dunamis Project participants in both South Dakota and Iowa. The following is David’s testimony to the tangible presence of Jesus Christ following Sally’s unexpected death.
A Vacation Cut Short
“During the night of May 26, 2015 I encountered a spiritual battle that was overwhelming. While on vacation enjoying the breath-taking mountain vistas in Jasper, Alberta, Canada, Sally (my wife of 42 years) had an accident.
“I Can’t Breathe”
She tripped, fell, and hit her forehead very hard on the concrete. At first she was dazed but seemed fine. While in an ambulance on the way to the hospital for x-rays and an examination, she lost consciousness. Her last words to the EMTs were “I can’t breathe.”
A Shocking Tragedy
She was pronounced dead about an hour later. She never regained consciousness; I was not able to say “good-bye” to her. While in shock in the ER in Jasper, I managed to answer all the questions, made the necessary phone calls, and then returned to our motor home to try to sleep.
Alone in the Darkness
The shock started to wear off as I lay in the bed that I had shared the previous night with Sally. I was all alone in Canada. I didn’t know anyone. The darkness started to swirl around me; it felt like I was being pulled down into a dark pit with a voice repeating, repeating: “YOU ARE ALL ALONE! YOU ARE ALL ALONE! YOU ARE ALL ALONE!”
Worship in the Face of Despair
I felt cold, like the life was being sucked out of me. I had a vague sense of “this is spiritual warfare” but didn’t know how to resist it. I struggled to my feet and hit the play button on the CD player; Michael W. Smith’s WORSHIP CD started playing.
Spiritual Warfare
Another voice began talking as the worship songs played. Back and forth a battle was going on as the two voices alternated saying: “GOD IS HERE, you are NOT ALONE!” “YOU ARE ALL ALONE!” “GOD IS HERE, you are NOT ALONE!” “YOU ARE ALL ALONE!”…
Calling on Jesus
In that swirling darkness, as I felt I was being pulled down into the pit, I prayed “Come Lord Jesus.” Immediately, Jesus showed up. His light–His brightness–dispelled the darkness and the battle was over. The “DARKNESS” was gone. I was filled with PEACE and the JOY of his presence overwhelmed me.
Never Alone
I was able to sleep peacefully that night. I was NOT ALONE! As I continue in the grieving process, adjusting to being a “single man,” at times overwhelmed by Sally’s absence, Jesus continues to “show up.” His “Peace and Joy” continue to fill me up.”
I (Jeanne) was stunned by the testimony of another participant at this Dunamis.
Lonna Heideman took part in the Dunamis Project in Iowa last year. She, too, has experienced hope–even in the face of losing a child.
The Loss of a Child
“I have been married to my husband for almost 27 years. I have four children, three living. Two years ago, we lost our 10 year old daughter, Perri, in a farm fire in bales of hay. Our marriage was not good and since Perri had been my world, I felt alone.
Paralyzed by Grief
I would wake up in the morning wondering how I was going to get through the day without her, or I just would not want to get out of bed at all. I had given up on having a happy life. Then I went to Dunamis.
Ask and You Will Receive
I didn’t know anything about Dunamis or the Holy Spirit. I was hesitant to go up and receive prayer on Saturday night, when we could ask for empowerment and the gifts. I didn’t know what gift I wanted so I just asked to be filled with the Spirit. Little did I know that I was in for the ride of my life and that I was on the fast track to Jesus.
Touched by the Master
After Dunamis, I started to feel the change in me. I talked with a friend about what had happened and as she explained everything to me, she said, “You have been touched by the Master”. That literally took my breath away!
Joy, Hope, Peace, and Love
The thought that Jesus had TOUCHED me, that He had touched MY heart–I can’t comprehend that completely. I started feeling the joy, hope, peace, and love of Jesus. I think about Jesus 24/7! Jesus is my world now. I miss Perri every second of every day but I know where she is and who she is with. I can’t wait to join her in the arms of Jesus.”
Gratitude and Prayer
Praise the Lord for the work of healing that the Holy Spirit continues to accomplish through the ministry of PRMI! We hope that you will join us in prayer for this Dunamis Project as it continues to reach lives and hearts with the healing love of Jesus Christ.
Opportunities to Minister Through Healing
If you are feeling called to grow in healing ministry and want more training, please contact the PRMI office so that we can direct you to a Dunamis Project. Or, for those who want to go deeper in healing ministry, we offer the Advanced Course on Healing and Deliverance.
Click here for more information.
