Rio Diaz Conjuangco

I was browsing and found this article ... it warms my heart to read testimonies like this. I wonder where could I get the book "Streams in the Desert" ... at this point in my life I really need to go back to God .. start anew ..

Six months ago, my family was preparing for my
funeral, but I stand here before you today by God's
grace because He still has a purpose for my life.

Let me share with you my story..

In April, l99l, I began to host Eat Bulaga!, a
noontime show that brought me fame beyond my wildest
dreams. I earned good money while I made
people laugh. What a blessing!

October of l993, I met Charlie. Single and
good-looking, this guy has a terrific sense of humor,
a man with a big heart. "Kung sa beauty contestant,
beauty and brains." At a certain point in our
relationship, we both knew God brought us to be
together...for life.

In August, l994, we were married. After four wonderful
years of marriage, God blessed us with two children,
Claudia and Jaime. Thirteen years earlier, I was
blessed with a son, Ali, from a previous
relationship.

May of l998, Charlie became Congressman and I became
Vice Mayor of Pontevedra ( Negros Occidental).
November of the same year, during a routine check-up,
they discovered some abnormalities in my stomach area
which, the doctors said, could be solved by a minor
procedure.

A few days later, my supposedly one-hour surgery
turned out to be a six-hour-and- a-half surgery. I was
diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer..

Cancer?

No one had cancer in the family. My life flashed
before me. My world suddenly caved in. The doctors
were quite frank. They told us that I had only a
couple of months to live. Stage 4 cancer is like a
death sentence.

As my doctor was speaking, I didn't understand a word
he said because all I could think of was Charlie, my
children, my family, my in-laws, would whisper, Lord,
help me...help them, Lord!

They're all suffering. I don't know how to comfort
them. The day before my first chemotherapy, I said,
Lord, just tell me you're in control. Tell me that no
one made a mistake and I'll be fine no matter what,
Lord. Somebody gave me a devotional book entitled
Streams in the Desert which I read
at 3 o'clock in the morning. It said, this is my
doing.

Your weakness needs my strength and your safety lies
in letting me fight for you. You did not come to this
place by accident. You are exactly where I meant you
to be. You were so busy that I could not get your
attention and I wanted to teach you some of my
greatest truths. The pain will leave you as soon as
you learn to see me; in all things. These words became
the pillow on which I rested my weary head.

I surrendered to God all my fears, all my burdens and
my family as I began my journey of trials. I focused
on His promises as Jesus said, Surely I am
with you always.

By God's gracious mercy and beyond all medical
explanation, after six months of chemotherapy went on
remission. Eight months later, the cancer was back.
More surgery, more chemo. And then again, God allowed
healing for me. The best lesson I am learning from
this is how God allows us to enjoy life with His
moment by moment of grace. My third bout with cancer
entailed three different chemotherapies infused at the
same time. The Lord allowed me to learn to NEVER GIVE
UP, NEVER GIVE UP...PUT YOUR HOPE IN GOD.

Three times, I was at the threshold of death.
Medicines and state-of-the- art treatments were
notworking anymore. Not all the money in the world nor

the best doctors on earth can make us live if God
doesn't want us to. During those times, God comforted
my heart with these verses: Why are you downcast o my
soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in
God for I will yet praise Him my Savior and my Lord.

But let me tell you about my latest brush with death.
After spending Christmas with my family here in Manila
, I left for San Francisco in January of 2003 for my
check-up. I knew there was something terribly wrong
with my body. I had sleepless nights; I was steadily
losing weight; I couldn't eat
anything.

By the time I had completed all my tests, I was only
96 pounds. My doctor said, the cancer has spread. You
need to be confined in the hospital. Your food passage
is completely blocked by the cancer. I don't know how
much time you have. Not much. Maybe a month. But I
promise you will not feel the pain.I hugged Dr. Fisher
and thanked him. I told him, don't be sad. I
know God is in full control of my life.

I went home that night to make some arrangements and
my daughter was fast asleep. I knelt down by her
bedside and I cried, Mama loves you so much that it
hurts. Lord, you know how much I love my Ali, my
Claudia and my Jaime. You gave them to Charlie and me
and I thank you. I know in my heart that Charlie will
love them and watch over them. Lord, take care of my
husband because I love him very much. But much more
than this, it comforts me to know that I could never
love them as much as you love them. I thank you,
Father God.

Charlie remained by my bedside day and night,
caressing me, talking to me. It pains me to think how
much our husbands or wives suffer the fear of
losing us.How blessed I am to know how much my family
and friends love me.

The Lord allowed me to experience deep, deep, sleep.
I have never ever felt that kind of peace, peace that
surpasses all understanding. Dr. Fisher explained to
Charlie that my nourishment would come from a bag of
liquid attached to me, which has to be administered
on a daily basis for life. I would never be able to
eat
or drink again.

Surgery was ruled out, so was radiation. As a last
recourse, it was suggested that I do the mildest
chemo but if I so much as cough, he would remove it
and just keep me comfortable. I was in awe when I was
told how many people were praying for me. By God's
sovereign mercy, I never coughed.. One month later, my
cancer level went down by half. I am now only a few
points away from being on remission.

And as if this weren't enough, God's incredible bonus
is that I am back to my full d iet. I can eat and
drink
anything now! Once again, the doctors were amazed.
Yes, isn't our God amazing? God spared my life when
Stanford doctors had given up on me.

In my heart, I knew why. God allowed this miracle in
my life to show us how gracious He is and what a
powerful weapon prayer can be. And that God can
perform miracles in our lives, if you let Him. I will
never fully understand God's ways but I do know that
God has a purpose for each of us. When God calls you
to live for Him, He will invite you to be a part of
something much bigger than yourself, something that
requires the very best of you, something that
may outlive you. When God calls us to a powerful
vision, it may transcend safety and it may transcend
common sense because it is all about Jesus Christ.
Without Jesus, we will not make it!

Do we know, do you know, what God wants you to do
withyour life? If you are uncertain of God's will for
your life, surrender all your plans to Jesus because
God's plans for us are perfect.

The cancer in my body, I did not choose. But in God's
sovereignty, He allowed this affliction in my life.
But I ask you, what is the cancer in your life?

Is it the cancer of unforgiveness, jealousy, lust,
anger or bitterness that you are holding on to?
What are the wrong choices you continue to make
because they give you temporary pleasure but can
permanently destroy you -your husband or your wife or
your children or your circle of influence?

If you are going through a time of terrifying
darkness and despair, or are plagued by doubts that
are slowly eroding your hope that things can get
better, I urge you to surrender it all to God;
give Him full control of your life. It is the only
way to live.

Lord, forgive me for all my sins. Jesus, come into my
heart; be my Lord and my Savior. In Jesus' name, I
pray. Amen.