“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4 ESV)

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10 ESV)

This is truly a new year for me. On January 23, 2025, I underwent an angiogram and angioplasty performed by Professor Tan Huay Cheem. I am now recuperating at home — hence, it was a quiet Chinese New Year for me. No feasting!

At 61, I am now officially part of the stent club, with two stents in my heart.

Divine intervention

Mine was a case of divine intervention. One of my International Christian Fellowship members, Dr Linh, a local cardiologist in Vietnam, had recurring dreams in which God told her to look after her pastor’s heart.

Dr Linh is a shy person, but the dreams kept coming, and she felt compelled to act. On December 8, 2024, after the Sunday service, she courageously approached me and said: “God told me to take care of my pastor’s heart.”

I tried to schedule an appointment at her hospital and managed to secure one three weeks later for a comprehensive health check, including a CT angiogram.

She was relieved that she had obeyed the Lord because the results revealed two blockages in my main arteries – one at approximately 95% and the other at 80%.

She urgently arranged for a procedure at one of the top hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City, to be performed by a renowned cardiologist, her friend.

She warned me: “If you don’t get this done as soon as possible, the next time you see me, you won’t be seeing me – you’ll be seeing Jesus.”

Thank God for her connections; I could have had the procedure done in Vietnam before Chinese New Year.

However, my family strongly felt that I should undergo the procedure in Singapore in case of complications.

But securing a slot for such a procedure in Singapore on such short notice seemed nearly impossible. We took it as a sign from God: If I managed to get a slot in Singapore, I would go.

God’s perfect timing

That evening, although we did not personally know any cardiologists, we remembered that we knew a professor in the National University Hospital (NUH) Accident & Emergency department (A&E) who was a member of Fairfield Methodist Church.

My wife called Prof S Ooi in Singapore to explain my situation. Praise the Lord, Prof Ooi knew a cardiologist, Prof Tan Huay Cheem, and said she would see what could be done.

Long story short, I flew back on January 20, consulted Prof Tan on the afternoon of January 21, and underwent the procedure on the morning of January 23.

In the operating room, Prof Tan told me that one of my blockages was actually 98%. The other was not as severe. God had provided me with one of the best cardiologists in Singapore to care for me. The rest is history.

I realise I could have collapsed at any time during Christmas (or even earlier) or during Chinese New Year. I had no symptoms, no breathlessness.

I also took a huge risk flying back to Singapore with a 90+% blockage. I could have collapsed mid-flight.

Christmas 2024 could have been my last celebration on earth.

God speaking to me

One more thing: In the last quarter of 2024, the Lord kept impressing upon me the words of Psalm 51:“Create in me a clean heart, O God.” (Psalm 51:10)

I had been meditating on this passage during my time with Him. God was clearly speaking to me, but I wasn’t sharp enough to get the message. So, He used another of His children – Dr Linh, who isn’t someone particularly familiar with spiritual gifts or Pentecostal teachings – to reach me.

Now my heart is “strangely warmed” – by two stents!

May I continue to live life to the fullest and serve the Lord for many more years. Glory to the Lord!

No regrets. I am ready to meet our Master and King.

But let’s live a purposeful life for God and His Kingdom. What a wonderful and faithful God we serve.

May the Lord bless you and keep you. Shalom.

This story was first published in the Methodist Missions Society website, Project Metamorphosis, which features a series of testimonies on the metamorphosis (transformation) of people through the power of God. It is republished with permission.

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