Janette has a bigger mission than her cancer....

This story began on January 28, 2021 when I was waved down while on the main road close to the community where we live. Wilgens, a moto taxi driver, asked if it were possible to pray with his wife Janette who was having some ongoing health problems. I knew Jean Rubert, the MH mobility cart chaplain, was the one to accompany me for this this encounter of prayer because he SO believes in the power of healing through prayer. I mean, ya know, we believe it can happen but Jean Rubert expects it!

On February 3, 2021 we met Janette, learned of her health issues and began supporting her with prayer. 

At this time, several American prayer warriors were commissioned to support Janette in prayer across the ocean. Our God is THIS big! that an ocean is nothing by way of a barrier.

On March 26, 2021 the MH Benevolence Committee met to discuss what MH might offer in the form of investigating what her medical needs were. Experiencing extreme pain, Janette started a two week stay at the hospital in Mirebalais on April 4, 2021. After tests, x-rays, and a biopsy, the doctor encouraged Janette on April 26 to keep a positive attitude. The next thing, the doctor asked,"Ou konn priye?" Basically asking, "Do you believe in prayer?"

This was the beginning of lots of waiting, requiring lots of patience, and practicing lots of prayer. There were follow up appointments made for May 31 and July 15. 

Janette's diagnosis was breast cancer that had spread to her lungs, her bones, and most likely her spinal column. Chemotherapy is available at the Mirebalais hospital and after much prayer and consideration by Janette and her husband and with the assistance of MH, treatments were scheduled for every 21 days in Mirebalais. 

God had already begun to use Janette and her story, even through her pain, to be a balm to others. This along with her the testimony of her unwavering faith was making its IMPACT on many lives. 

For us in the US, we often need the reminder that our circumstance shouldn't be an excuse to be a witness to others. God can use YOU and ME! Also we sometimes forget what real suffering looks like. 

Janette and Wilgens at their house on July 15, 2021

After a trip back to the US in October for us to visit family, several of Janette's US prayer partners sent back cards or a small gift to help her remember she was being covered in prayer. Here is Janette on Nov 8, 2021. During this journey so far, Janette, as well as her husband Wilgens, have shown their testimony through their courage, their faith, their absolute belief that there is NOTHING that GOD cannot do. 

As prayer partners would periodically receive WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger updates, the requests for prayers for Janette would come back to bless the ones praying. These are some of the responses from those that continue to pray for Janette:  "Many could never imagine the way they have to suffer on this earth..."  "...so encouraging yet so hard with physical pain... emotional pain..."   "All I can say is WOW!  Love to see God showing off for HIS glory."  "Prayer: OH Jesus, You know the needs of Janette and her husband. Surround them during this very difficult time. We pray you will give her a miracle to be a testimony of your glory through all of this. We love you and worship you! in Jesus name, AMEN."   "Lord please answer Janette's pleas for a miracle in your perfect will and timing. Hold her tight. She trusts you. You are a Good God."   "So many thoughts and emotions..."    "Being reminded of the reality of their circumstances..."

March 2022 brought Janette back to the hospital for a longer stay to drain fluid from her lungs, a LONG and painful process. Janette knew all along the blessing of her new friends praying for her but in this very challenging time she said directly that she knew, when she DIDN'T have the strength to pray, there were prayer warriors holding her steadfastly in their prayers. 

April 2, 2022. This is Nounou, the friend that is staying at the hospital with Janette and Janette's husband Wilgens on the right. 

During the one-month stay at the Mirebalais hospital, Janette had another opportunity to be a witness. A young woman named Cherline from a communty called Gressier. She had been in an accident that left her with burns so deep that she nearly had no skin to cover the bone of her left leg. Cherline was in the bed right next to Janette. Cherline would CRY in agony non-stop. Cherline's mother was there to care for her daughter. The mother had confided in Janette that Cherline had a daughter that died since they had been in the hospital but the news would be too hard for Cherline to take so she did not yet know. Cherline and her mother are not Christians with the hope and belief of eternal life. 

Janette was able to be strong for Cherline and her mother, encouraging them to understand the saving grace of the shed blood of Jesus Christ. 

On the map above you can see the "hand" (literally!) center near the top...That is Pignon. MH, Janette, Wilgens, Jean Rubert, etc. The RED CROSS pin in the center area gets you to the Mirebalais Hospital. Then the "hand" on the lower left is Gressier where Cherline is from.

MORE from the faithful friends that have been on this journey with Janette....    "I pray that God uses Janette and Wilgens among the people he places in their lives, that people can see HOPE and want to know why?"    " ...for Cherline, God wants to use Janette and Wilgens THERE. Janette's HOPE, despite her circumstances is the kind of hope people like Cherline desperately need."   "Lean on the Lord and He will continue to renew her strength."    "Praying against discouragement."   "God is working and will bring Beauty from the ashes!"   "Janette's perseverance is remarkable... and now God has placed another patient near her who she can be a witness to."    "Yea though I walk through the valley I will not fear THOU art with me, YOU comfort me."    "God's plan is unfolding according to HIS timing. He alone is sovereign. He is GOD."   "I will continue to pray for peace in Janette's heart and a miracle cure in the mighty name of Jesus."   "I am blown away by their faith and gratitude. What a different world we would live in if everyone had just a small piece of that. What a true inspiration she is."    "That hurts my heart so much about the little girl and her mother not knowing. How can things be so bad? I think Janette has a bigger mission than her cancer. God is using her and her faith in a much bigger way than can ever be imagined."     "Oh MY! how these people endure the pain of this life."     "Isn't it amazing how someone so sick can be used by God to do great things when we are the ones that should be doing things for her and her family."      "Holy Smoke, That would try even the most patient person but I'm sure you found a lesson in it. She has a strong soul and spirit and I am sure God is using her illness in ways she can't even imagine."

I hope you are encouraged by this story to be strong for the Lord in whatever circumstances appear on your journey.

Prayer time with Janette on Easter Sunday April, 2022.

Currently, Janette's chemotherapy treatments have been changed so that she will have a treatment once a week rather than every 21 days. I keep reminding Janette and Wilgens that they have a choice in this. We will keep communicating before and after these hospital visits. Still praying for a miracle of healing.

Through all this, several of the 'praying warriors' have indicated their own family members have health issues of cancer. I have been able to share these challenges with Janette. Know that SHE is praying for others as well. And be reminded, Janette, and each of us, has a mission BIGGER than the troubles we face.

We are staying in touch with Cherline. She is back home in Gressier. She is at great risk not having money to get to the hospital there to have proper bandaging of her burns. Janette continues to pray for Cherline. I feel the main thing is to pray for people to continue come to Cherline with the GOOD NEWS of JESUS CHRIST, that she and her mother can come to know the confidence of eternal life with Jesus.