Good day! I am Lesley from Dance Ministry. I want to share the goodness of the Lord in my life.
it was during December 2011 when I suddenly felt numbness in my legs and feet during my OJT in Manila. Back then, I thought it was due to standing for long period of time or the usual muscle soreness experienced from rehearsals. But the pain progressed until eventually, my whole body got swollen and I was bedridden for months. Muscles around my body, from my shoulders down to my feet, were burning in pain; joints were very stiff and heavy, making movements very difficult and painful. I was pain-sensitive that even the slightest touch to my body caused me great pain. I was in severe physical pain which lasted from morning until night EVERY day. I would literally cry in pain every waking hour of my day.
June 2012, I was confined in the hospital and the doctor diagnosed me with Rheumatic Fever. They checked my heart for the fear that it might lead to Rheumatic Heart Disease. Praise God, my heart was normal. I had to undergo series of laboratory tests to figure out what caused the inflammation of my body – everything was in good condition except for my blood. My Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) was higher than the normal. The normal is 0-29 mm/hr. for women; mine has reached 800 mm/hr. The doctor could not locate where the infection came from, as symptoms were still progressing. They gave me antibiotics, oral steroids and strong pain relievers.
February 2012 when Excel service was pioneering, I wanted to attend but sadly I was still bedridden. It was my family, Church of God Jabez family and the Christian community who prayed for me and attended the service on my behalf. Subsequently, I went for a second opinion, and was diagnosed with Adult-onset Still Disease. The doctor told me that I would have to take an oral chemotherapeutic drug as LIFETIME treatment for my illness. Then I told God that I refuse to take this medicine. Nevertheless, I continued for a third opinion. The third doctor declared my sickness is due to an infection I got from eating uncooked chicken and eggs. Then, he said that I should continue my treatment, gradually lowering the dosage until I can stand without it.
In August 2013, I became completely drug free! I was still undergoing physical therapy to recover from muscle atrophy to walk again.
In November 2013, I went back to study and graduated in March 2014. Then, I received a teaching job offered by Kerusso – another way to thank and serve the Lord. I passed the licensure exam of teaching in 2015 and the licensure exam for my psychology degree the following year.
In 2015, I was able to study ballet— which is undeniably one of the hardest forms of dance. Using that skill, I became one of the trainers in 2017 that taught dancing to those who joined the Dance Ministry.
I appeal to those people who know someone that has sickness or maybe you who is experiencing pain to not stop praying to the Lord as you wait for the healing to arrive. Engage in worship as God subsides all pain, which I felt during that time. This is one of God’s Words that have spoken and prayerfully ministered to me. 1 Peter 5:10 says, “And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and made you strong firm and steadfast.”
Thank you and all glory belongs to God.
