ELPIZO – Imparting Love, Hope and Peace to Cancer Patients

18 April 2013 by Natasha Kim CM – 

 

Five Secrets of Life from those who've lived long:-
1) What are the most important lessons you have learned over your life? Life is short.
2) For Career? Do what you enjoy.
3) Healthy Living? Treat your body like you’re going to need it for 100 years.
4) Biggest Regret? Pointless worrying
5) Happiness? Don’t make your happiness contingent. Be happy in spite of bad times.

(SOURCE: 30 Lessons for Living: Tried and True Advice from the Wisest Americans.)

 

 

Elpizo is a Cancer Support Group for Cancer patients and their Caregivers. First of all, “Elpizo” is a Greek word that stands for “Hope in God” It was brought together by Shery Lim during her fight with fourth stage (final stage) cancer. Recently I wrote about Shery’s touching testimony in an article entitled “There is profound Hope in God” She won the battle with the help of God that sustained her. Now she helps many other cancer patients in their battle. Elpizo initially started off with around ten people and has now grown to about 50 people.

“When God impressed upon my heart to start the group, I could understand right away the need for comfort and hope that I could bring to alleviate the loneliness and hopelessness of cancer sufferers. I knew I had to share the comfort God has given me to bless others” shared Shery.

 

 

The group holds their meetings twice a month at SIBKL at the 4^th floor of Bangunan Yin.  I personally attended one of their meetings and was blessed by their sharing. As I entered the hospitality room of the floor where they held their meeting I was greeted with happy faces. A number of them who attended were patients undergoing treatment while there were others there who had already won their battle. My eyes were opened to the hope they were clinging to as they came to support each other. There was even a daughter who accompanied her mother to the meeting which genuinely touched my heart.

It began with praise and worship and was followed by a short sharing by Shery herself. She believes the medicine that helped her survive was character transformation and Bible scriptures. “God speaks to us on how to be a better person.

 

 

Many times we want the healing but we don’t want the healer, but we have to be holistic. The healer and the healing come together” she said. Now that she’s healed, she still continues to feed on the Word of God because she wants to stay healed.

John 6:63: ⁶³ The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.

“I was dying in 2006 but I think I had the tenacity of a bulldog” she said. This was because she believed and had faith. Though she strongly believes the Word can help you to pull through she doesn’t discourage anyone from going to chemotherapy. God sometimes works through others as well.

Then a number of people came up to share their testimony. What they had in common was the fact that they all had to go through chemotherapy and experienced the bad side effects of it. I could feel that some were so overwhelmed by the memory of it that they were almost in tears.

 

 

Another thing that they had in common was the fact that they held on tight to the Word of God. They attended the support group and had the support of many including pastors and so though sadness and concern overwhelmed each of them they were comforted.

Pastor Victor then went up to talk and moved everyone into groups each with an assigned Elpizo member to head a time of prayer and sharing. “One of the most precious things you have now in your life is called time” he said.

He then shared a few stories that he’s experienced with some patients, and talked about the topic of life after death. “For some of us, we will die but we are not afraid to die because Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:55, "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" he said. Jesus holds the key of life in His hands and He is standing at the door of our hearts knocking, waiting to enter so He can provide healing and eternal life. We know that the Lord makes everything beautiful in His time.

 

 

The meeting then ended with a time of fellowship and a good meal. If you need support or would just like to be blessed visit Elpizo. According to Shery, Elpizo is a place where the presence of God is felt strongly and many are healed spiritually, emotionally, and physically. The joy and peace they have experienced together in the support group is priceless.

 

Those who would like to purchase Shery’s book, “There is Hope” (new edition) can find it in all major including major Christian bookstores. She also has a DVD entitled “Hope through Faith” that comes with Chinese subtitles.

For more information about Elpizo e-mail Shery Lim at sherylim01@yahoo.com 

 

Dear Viewers in Christ, if you find this article edifying to you, please share with your friends or loved ones by using the social media plugs (Share, Email to this article). The Lord will surely bless you as you bless others. May the Lord’s peace and love be with you.