My health issues began with a grapefruit-sized lump detected when I was two months old. Multiple surgeries throughout my life left me with only one inch of my small intestine, causing me to cry out to God for help.
Three years ago, He answered my prayer. I attended my dad’s baptism, and there I met Pastor Brian Beavers. I told him my story, and he asked if I was willing to try a place he knew of that he believed could help me. “Yes!” I answered. I was desperate for help.
Because of Beavers’ recommendation, I spent 16 days at Black Hills Health & Education Center in South Dakota. They personalized a lifestyle program for my needs and taught me about God’s simple remedies.
I learned proper nutrition, exercise, rest, temperance, hydration, hydrotherapy and how to trust God for my health needs. I spent time outside in the fresh air soaking in the sunshine and learned about treatments I can do at home. With the help of BHHEC, I was able to cut down from 24 medications to eight in the 16 days I was there.
I have since lost 30 pounds and returned to eating solid foods rather than liquids. My pancreas is functioning again, my diabetes is under control, my neuropathy has receded and I can feel my feet again. Even my mom has improved her arthritis by following the recommendations I learned. She takes less medication, has lost 32 pounds and feels better.
A new purpose and mission
Because of the transformation in my health, I decided to do Bible studies with Beavers. We studied for a year, and I drew closer to my Savior. After earning my Bible study certificate, I was baptized at the Winona Church.
After baptism, I have become more involved in my church. I began discipleship classes, which teach how to study the Bible and give Bible studies. I participate in church outreach programs like Christmas Behind Bars and door-to-door witnessing. I even share my testimony at cooking schools, health fairs and with jail inmates.
For discipleship class, my homework was to choose three people to study the Bible with. I asked my mom, my older sister (pictured above with their certificates) and my roommate. While giving the Bible studies, I noticed the Bible becoming more familiar and God giving me the right words. As a result, my family has even expressed interest in baptism.
Between sharing my faith in the marketplace and assisting at church, God has given me purpose and a mission.
I encourage you to take up the medical missionary work. It’s this work that brought supernatural results into my life and changed me forever.
Ellen G. White tells us, “We have come to a time when every member of the church should take hold of medical missionary work. The world is a lazar house filled with victims of both physical and spiritual disease. Everywhere people are perishing for lack of a knowledge of the truths that have been committed to us. The members of the church are in need of an awakening, that they may realize their responsibility to impart these truths” (Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 7, p. 62).
Shelly Rasmussen is a member of the Winona Church.
