February 2004 Monthly Letter

Dear Partner In Ministry,

I'm in Santa Paula, California, at a downtown church in a bilingual community.

Pastor Mark walked into my office with a woman and said, "This is Melissa. She's from Ventura and asked to be anointed with oil for the healing of something from the past."

She poured out this story: On March 25, 1985, she was married in this church's sanctuary. She was unaware at the time that her husband to be was having an affair with her best friend (her maid of honor) and that her older brother (one of the groom's men) knew all about the situation!

Upon discovering this incredible shocking deception a few months after the wedding, she was distraught, devastated, became distrustful of all men and women friends, and divorced her "despicable" husband. For years she had totally immersed herself in a horse ranch business to deaden the pain. Recently, she accepted Jesus as her personal Savior.

On February 21, 2004, a relative will be married in this same sanctuary. Melissa wanted to attend but began to struggle with her past horrendous memories. She sought counseling, was told to go back to the sanctuary, deal with the pain, seek healing, and forgive those who had deceived and betrayed her. Wow! What an assignment!

The Sunday prior to her coming to the church office, I had preached on "The Freedom That Comes From Forgiveness!" One of the sermon's points was to outwardly express to God the reality of the pain, then intentionally release it to Him, and finally unconditionally forgive the offenders.

All of these are modeled by Jesus on the cross when He cried out, "My God, my God, why have You forsaken me", "Into Your hands I commit my spirit", and "Father, forgive them for they know not what they are doing"-and "It is finished."

As we ventured toward the now infamous sanctuary, Mark and I looked for some kind of oil to use for the anointing. None was found. Upon scouring the kitchen, a spray can of "Vegetal Puro para Ollas"---pure vegtable oil--- was discovered. Perfecto!

It was difficult for Melissa to enter the sanctuary. Once inside, she vocally began rehearsing her wedding, recalling coming up the aisle, reciting where everyone stood, and recanting the vows. Mark and I watched and listened to this 19-year-old dramatic replay!

Finally, she took a deep breath and said, "I'm ready to be anointed, prayed for, and healed." We all knelt before the communion table. After reading several appropriate Bible passages, I led Melissa in the sermon's point outlined above, suggesting she consider using some of the same words Jesus spoke from the cross. She did so with this exception: "Father, forgive them (naming each) even though they DID KNOW what they were doing…and after a long pause and a deep sigh she continued with, "and I also forgive each of them through the power of Jesus Christ!"

We anointed her with the oil and asked God to heal her mind, emotions, and spirit. He did!

The Holy Spirit then led me to pray that the meaning of her name (Melissa ="honey") would become a new reality and that the 'sweetness of God's healing' would forever replace all the bitterness!" She shouted, "Praise God! He knew long ago why I was Christened Melissa!"

Thank you for your faithful support. It helps turn malignancies into Melissas! .

Ron

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