haOr l’Olam Ministries
About John
On July 19, 2008, John breathed his last earthly
breath and went to sit at the feet of Yeshua (Jesus)
his Messiah. John was diagnosed in January with Mesothelioma,
a very rapid and incurable form of cancer, according to the medical community.
This cancer is believed to be caused by asbestos
exposure and John had very little if any exposure to asbestos.
The original site was the pleura lining of the right lung. The only effective
treatment is removal of the affected sight. But upon the reading of the pet scan and cat scan, it was determined by his surgeon that
it had already affected the diaphragm and the pericardium. On January 23 we
were told surgery was not an option. We were not defeated.
We know the Great Healer and stood on His promises that He had paid the price
and by His stripes, we are healed.
John had researched Mesothelioma and knew that
Radiation was not an option and Chemo was virtually ineffective, only running
it to other parts of the body. So we concentrated on standing on God's word and
build up the body's ability to fight off this dreaded disease and pain
management. John was never without pain but he wanted to remain mentally sharp
through this battle so he would only take Percocet at night in order to sleep.
He would alternate between Ibuprophen 800mg and Tramadol/Tylenol (a non narcotic pain reliever) during the
day, until the last two months. John kept all his appointments up through May
15, but the first of May he began developing fluid in the abdomen. On May 13 in
the ER, John was told by God that he was entering the valley. The doctor
returned with the report that the cancer had moved into the abdomen.
That week John started using oxygen at night and was on it 24/7 within two
weeks. He was unable to lay flat. We tried propping him up on pillows but he
had to move to a hospital bed on June 11. He was in the hospital May 30 through
June 2 and June 5 through the 10th and back in the hospital on the 15th. Two of
the stays were involving dehydration and two were removal of fluid from the
abdomen.
John performed his last seder
May 15 at the
John's last time to fill the pulpit at the Dukes Cumberland Presbyterian Church
was May 25, but he attended when he was able through July 13. Throughout this
battle John and Diann and their children all stood on
the promises of God's healing. There was never what if's. We believed, we
trusted, we stood. So, what happened? Like a dear friend, who moves in the
gifting of praying for healing said "when the valley gets too dark, most
people give up". John would never give up, but
the medicines dulled his senses and confusion came in.
The medical community tried him on Morphine (low
doses) and John did not do well. The last day he said "Diann,
just let me go, just let me go!" His fight was gone. He was in the
hospital, he had again dehydrated, yet had 3.5 liters of fluid drawn from his
abdomen. His feet and legs were extreme (4+) edema and from Friday afternoon to
Saturday afternoon, John had stopped breathing 5 times (all when the nurses
were moving him or working on him). The 6th and final time was at 9:47pm when
his children were telling him goodbye before they were to head home. John had
expected to cross over into glory land and return healed. So, we stood, prayed,
and believed for his return, but John did not return. All we can figure is when
John crossed over, there was no way he was going to come back to this mortal
world.
Many friends have said they can imagine John teaching, but I can see him at
Jesus' feet asking questions and discussing scripture. He still had so many
questions and now he is with the One that has all the answers.
The family is doing exceptionally well. The peace of God is truly undergirding
all of us. We know we have much to do to finish the job John started; getting
his book published, getting his sermons from tape form to CD and manuscript
form, plus working on getting his music out. John was anxious to get about this
work, and this desire now burns within his children. I do not understand how
anointing is passed on but we are believing for a
double portion for his children and grandchildren. We will soon list the sermon
titles that will be available, most of which are in series form. John may be
gone from us but his heart's desire still burns within us. haOr l'Olam will continue
as long as God has purpose for it.
Thank you for your loving encouragement. God is good all the time and all the
time God is good.
~Diann Phelps