We never know how our very own, personal testimonies impact the lives of others. Yet it is our own unique testimony that God has given us to be His witness of His work in our lives (Luke 24:48, Acts 1:8). We pray that this personal testimony, as told by SGA Storyteller Dominika, will be a great encouragement to many as an example of true reliance on God.

Today I want to share with you a story of young woman in her mid-30s—Marta. She is a member of [a church] led by SGA-supported Pastor Christopher. Marta is sharing a beautiful, touching, and so deeply encouraging story of how God led her through breast cancer. It’s a slightly longer story than usual, but I believe it will be a great encouragement to you, move you, and lead you to wonderful conclusions and worship of God. From Marta …

“I spent my 30th birthday surrounded by dear women in the garden behind our wooden cottage. Meanwhile, my husband took our three children to the lake. We talked, prayed, laughed, sang, ate and cried with emotion. It was absolutely enchanting. I felt wonderful in that circle, in this body, in this life. I felt that I could move mountains and that everything I had dreamed of—all those roles that God had prepared for me—were finally falling into place, and I was ready to embrace them. That day, besides those wonderful memories, I recalled a prayer given to me by a brother from the congregation. It was a prayer asking God to show me how much I depend on Him, and how much I must submit to and trust Him. I accepted it with a smile and gratitude, not yet understanding the cost I would have to bear for it to come true in my life.

“A few months later, as a married couple, we began to experience various financial upheavals. Sudden urgent needs arose, the car broke down, and we had to pay higher installments. Yet, even in all this, we saw God’s care and provision.

“Not long after, I discovered that I was pregnant. It was a great surprise to me, and at first, I was terrified. After a few days, my husband and I began to rejoice more and more about it. But after a month—before the baby’s heart had even begun to beat—I had a miscarriage. I cried, and it was hard for me to come to terms with it. It was my first experience with miscarriage.

“A month later, I discovered a lump in my breast. The diagnostics proceeded rapidly: ultrasound, mammogram, breast biopsy, lymph node biopsy, CT scan, MRI, and lung biopsy. And those needles —countless needles. We learned over the phone from an acquaintance working in a lab that it was definitely cancer. The doctor said it wasn’t ideal, but it could have been worse. He predicted a year of intensive treatment, but with a very good chance of full recovery. I remember hugging my husband tightly, then lying down on the sand and gazing up at the sky for a few minutes. Once again, a deep peace overwhelmed me. Is that strange? I wish I could say that this peace came from my own courage or unwavering faith, but I know that I am weaker than I realize. That makes me even more certain that this peace was a gift from God—a gift that allowed me to feel safe in Him. It reminded me that every breath I take is a grace and that I am completely dependent on Him. Nothing gave me such consolation then—and many times afterward—as the awareness of God’s sovereignty, His reign, His omniscience, His perfect will and His goodness.

“We are not capable of preparing for loss, suffering, or pain. However, if I were to point out something that might help one get through difficult times, it would be to take delight in God’s attributes; to come to know who and what He is. When everything else crumbles, He is the rock on which one can rely. The entire treatment process lasted from July 2023 to September 2024 and included chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery, and the administration of antibodies. I am still undergoing rehabilitation today. I spent time in many different wards and met people I would never have encountered otherwise. Sometimes I remained silent, lost in my own powerlessness and the frailty of my body, but many times I had the privilege of speaking about God, who is the Savior—about the assurance of eternity in heaven, regardless of when the earthly body dies. I miss those conversations and the courage that only situations where there is nothing left to lose can bring; the feeling of holding Jesus’ hand, ready to follow Him wherever He leads.

“The list of miracles I experienced because of the illness seems endless. In the perspective of eternity, mere health appears to be only a small part of a greater, more complete miracle. I remember one of the first conversations after my diagnosis, when I said that if I were ever to recover and remain the same, then this illness would have been in vain. A redefined concept of femininity, rediscovering the gift of friendship, a tangible experience of being part of the Church, a brush with the essence of transience, and a fuller realization of my own weakness and complete dependence on Jesus—all while feeling safe in His love… It is worth every needle, every tear, every scar.

“As we sing in the old hymn: There on the hill stood an old, rugged cross, an emblem of disgrace, suffering, and torment—on it died the One who had never done anything wrong. Innocent and willing to voluntarily give His life for those who would never be able to pay for their sins. He bore the full cost. He experienced suffering that none of us can comprehend. In this tragic image of death and abandonment, we see the greatest victory and hope for a lost world. The victory of Jesus in His death and resurrection is the greatest miracle and the only salvation.Every pain, loss, or tear of ours can bring us to Golgotha. It is precisely these most difficult moments that offer an extraordinary opportunity to feel His presence and help in the suffering that He experienced most fully. He conquered sin and death and promised that in eternity with Him there will be no more sorrow, pain, or tears. The certainty of being safe in His hand enables us to endure all adversities. He is. Yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Forever. Jesus.”

Please, join me in thanksgiving prayer for God’s work in Marta’s life!