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La asombrosa gracia de Dios: aún a través del cáncer
Por Lisa Hansler
(Fotos por Annie Marek-Barta)
«¿Está sentada?», fue la pregunta que escuché por teléfono del médico que me había hecho la biopsia. Las palabras a continuación fueron las que nunca esperé escuchar: «Tiene cáncer de mama y se ha propagado al menos a uno de sus ganglios linfáticos». En ese momento comprendí que mi vida cambiaría para siempre y perdería mi cabello.
Menos de una hora antes de recibir esta llamada que me cambió la vida, me despedí de mi madre que después de su batalla contra el liposarcoma, un tipo de cáncer no común, se fue a estar con el Señor. Nuestra casa estaba toda empacada ya que se suponía que ese día sería nuestro cierre de venta. Sin embargo, poco después de la llamada de mi médico, recibimos una llamada de nuestro agente de bienes raíces diciendo que nuestros compradores cometieron un error y que el cierre de la venta de la casa no se realizaría hasta dentro de diez días. Hasta ahora, usted podría decir que probablemente este fue el peor día de mi vida. Oh, ¿mencioné que este era nuestro treinta y tres aniversario de boda? El 28 de diciembre de 2018 quedará grabado para siempre en mi mente.
Honestamente, no quería unirme al grupo de «cáncer de mama». Muchas querían animarme con sus propias experiencias, pero yo no estaba lista para aceptar que yo era una de ellas y ahora odiaba el color rosa. Estaba decidida a someterme a un tratamiento con extraños que no tenían siquiera idea que tenía cáncer.
Luego, antes de que comenzara con mi tratamiento, mi gammagrafía ósea y la tomografía computarizada mostraron algo preocupante. Era posible que el cáncer se hubiera propagado a mis huesos, por lo que se ordenó un escáner TEP (Tomografía por emisión de positrones). Este fue el fin de semana más largo de mi vida. Si el cáncer de mama se hubiera propagado a mis huesos, significaría que estaría en tratamiento de cáncer por el resto de mi vida. Derramé muchas lágrimas ese fin de semana.
Ese domingo supe que tenía que ir a la iglesia a la que asistía mi amiga y mentora Kit Hackett. Sabía que ella oraría por mí. Esto resultaría ser un punto crucial en mi fe. Kit oró contra «los dardos de fuego que el enemigo me había lanzado». Mientras ella alejaba su mano de mi espalda, ¡realmente sentí que algo salía!
Su pastor, Mike Majack, también oró por mí. Luego dijo: «Estamos contigo y creyendo que la sanidad es para ti. . . a menos que tú creas que Dios ha terminado contigo».
El pastor Mike no tenía idea de que estaba cuestionando el valor de mi vida para Dios, pensé que Él ya había terminado conmigo. Salí de esa iglesia como una persona diferente y no derramé ni una lágrima hasta el viernes siguiente cuando recibí la llamada de que la tomografía por emisión de positrones (TEP), había salido limpia. ¡Eran lágrimas de alegría!
Ese domingo por la mañana Dios hizo algo en mí. De repente me di cuenta del amor, la gracia y la misericordia de Dios como nunca antes. Me recordó de quién era yo. En mí nació una nueva fe que me ayudaría a superar la batalla más dura de mi vida. Por la gracia de Dios, pude pasar por cuatro meses de quimioterapia sin sentir peores efectos nocivos que los que sentiría alguien con náuseas matutinas. Pude seguir corriendo y haciendo la mayoría de mis actividades físicas habituales. Hacia el final estaba un poco más lenta, mi frecuencia cardíaca era alta y tenía que caminar un poco en mis carreras. (De hecho, para mi último tratamiento de quimioterapia yo caminaba más que corría). Pero estaba feliz de poder correr. Dios me llevó a través de mis cirugías, incluyendo una mastectomía bilateral, disección de ganglios linfáticos auxiliares y, recientemente, la primera de mis cirugías de reconstrucción y treinta tratamientos de radiación. Mi oración era que de alguna manera yo tocara vidas, incluso las de aquellos que me ayudaron con mis tratamientos.
A principios de este año, una compañera sobreviviente de cáncer de mama me preguntó si me enojé con Dios cuando recibí mi diagnóstico.
«No», le dije. Sentí que el diagnóstico me salvó. Yo ya estaba enojada. Los diez años previos a mi diagnóstico de cáncer habían sido años extremadamente difíciles. Satanás nos había arrojado varios dardos. Habíamos pasado por algo doloroso en nuestra familia, y seamos honestos, el ministerio no siempre es un jardín de rosas. Los cristianos pueden ser tan crueles. (Lo sé porque soy una, una cristiana imperfecta). Mi ira se había convertido en amargura. La amargura se cuela tan sutilmente y actúa como un veneno.
Aunque Dios no me dio el cáncer, usó lo que el enemigo había pretendido para el mal para despertarme. En Su asombrosa gracia, me ayudó a superar esta batalla, enseñándome muchas lecciones en el camino, todas enfatizando la fidelidad de Dios. Él estaba allí, inclusive cuando me encontré acurrucada en la bañera sollozando justo antes de afeitarme el resto del pelo. Escribí muchas de las lecciones que aprendí en mi blog [enlace a https://lhansler.tumblr.com/ ] porque no quiero olvidar nunca todo lo que Dios ha hecho y sigue haciendo por mí. Una de las Escrituras que Dios me dio a lo largo de mi travesía fue el Salmo 103: 2-5 (NTV):
Que todo lo que soy alabe al SEÑOR; que nunca olvide todas las cosas buenas que hace por mí. Él perdona todos mis pecados y sana todas mis enfermedades. Me redime de la muerte y me corona de amor y tiernas misericordias. Colma mi vida de cosas buenas; ¡mi juventud se renueva como la del águila!
Cuando miro en el espejo, no lamento la pérdida de lo que alguna vez fue, sino que veo un recordatorio de lo mucho que Dios me ama. Yo era, en cierto sentido, como una de esas ovejas errantes que se atascaron y mi Buen Pastor vino a rescatarme. Me lleva a aguas de reposo y conforta mi alma.
Puede ver una entrevista en video entre Lisa y la editora de mensajes, Andrea Johnson, en: https://vimeo.com/473133077/177b57c21d
Sobre la autora
Lisa Hansler creció en la Biblia Abierta y ha servido durante treinta y cinco años junto a su esposo, Chris, en el ministerio de jóvenes, como plantadores de iglesias, pastores principales y, más recientemente, como Directores Ejecutivos de la Región del Pacífico. Lisa también es madre de tres hijos adultos y trabaja como controladora/contable para “Tacoma Plumbing and Heating”. A Lisa le fascina contar su experiencia de cómo Dios ha usado su batalla contra el cáncer de mama para continuar renovando su fe en Él. Puede leer el blog en inglés de Lisa en https://lhansler.tumblr.com/
Living and serving in a foreign land involves adjusting to new cultures, languages, and realities. Over my thirty years as a missionary, I’ve faced these challenges in multiple countries and languages. Yet, none of my experiences could have prepared me for the realities of war—its impact on life, ministry, and faith.
I had lived in Ukraine full time for thirteen years when the initial invasion occurred in 2014. The conflict was terrifying but distant from me; over time, I learned to navigate the stress of the threat of violence and the uncertainty that seemed to linger everywhere. But everything changed on February 23, 2022, with the full-scale invasion. Ukraine entered a dark chapter with an unknowable future, and so did I.
… everything changed on February 23, 2022, with the full-scale invasion. Ukraine entered a dark chapter with an unknowable future, and so did I
I spent the first few months of war in the United States. While physically “safe,” my heart remained with Ukraine. I wanted to be with the INSTE community, neighbors, and other loved ones who had become my family, not just because of my love and concern for them but because there is power in presence; there is a powerful ministry of simply being with others in their suffering. Just as God promises in Psalm 91:15 (NIV), “I will be with him in trouble,” I felt compelled to personify that presence for Ukrainians.
Returning to Ukraine in October 2022 meant facing new unsettling realities. Air raid sirens, missile strikes, and weaponized drones are part of daily life. Psalm 91:5 promises, “You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,” yet living this truth is challenging. In 2024, attack drones or missiles filled Ukrainian skies every single day and night. Fear is a natural response to danger, yet courage is trusting God despite fear. For me, each step forward, even with a lump in my throat, is an act of faith.
Psalm 91’s promise that God is “with us in trouble” anchors me, helping reconcile the tension between “not fearing” and “doing things afraid.” Fear doesn’t disqualify us from obedience; it’s often the very place where we find God’s will and experience His presence in profound ways.
My main ministry has always been equipping leaders through INSTE Global Bible College, but my focus has shifted during the war. In this season the Lord has allowed me to minister to humanitarian needs of Ukrainians with the help of Open Bible sponsors and a wide network of friends and ministry partners. For independent teen orphans, we’ve provided power banks and lamps for long nights without electricity.
Other times, we’ve purchased medicine for sick neighbors and helped seniors pay for medical procedures. For those along the frontlines, we’ve sent financial aid, clothing, and prayers. We have also translated, printed, and distributed thousands of booklets that teach how to deal with PTSD.
While others deliver large-scale humanitarian aid, my role is one of smaller, personal acts of kindness. In the market, I look for “Holy Spirit nudges” and find struggling grandmothers to bless with money for food, blessing them and reminding them that God sees their need. Each of these actions, though small, serves as a tangible reminder of God’s love and light in dark times.
The human cost of war is staggering. Food insecurity, disrupted education systems, and loss of electricity are all daily problems. Families have been displaced and torn apart, some with children attending school in other countries, others with family members on the frontlines, missing in action, prisoners of war, or buried in a grave. Communities have been shattered and the trajectory of so many lives forever altered. Over the years we have had thousands of INSTE students throughout Ukraine; many of their lives have been dramatically changed by this war.
I witness incredible resilience in the defenders who are outnumbered and outgunned on the front lines, the mothers holding families together, and the children navigating unimaginable loss
Despite this, I witness incredible resilience in the defenders who are outnumbered and outgunned on the front lines, the mothers holding families together, and the children navigating unimaginable loss, including a normal childhood. Their resilience reflects the truth that God has not abandoned them. In their stories, I see glimmers of hope – reminders that even in the darkest times, Light shines. Their resilience inspires me.
It has been difficult to deal with the capture of my godson, Max, a nineteen-year-old soldier, by enemy forces. The pain of not knowing his fate is immense. We pray for his soul. Every Ukrainian has their “Max,” someone whose unknown future brings unbearable heartache.
As I reflect on these years of war, I’m reminded of how deeply it has reshaped my life, my understanding of compassion, and my faith. War has tested me in ways I never expected, but it has also deepened my faith.
Psalm 91 continues to be a comfort: not a promise of an easy way, but of God’s presence. It is in His refuge that I find strength to minister and to believe for His promises. And it is there, even in wartime, that I have found God’s refuge.
About the Author
Tammy Swailes
Tammy Swailes is passionate about cross-cultural Christian education, so working with INSTE Bible College to disciple and equip leaders throughout Europe and beyond is a great fit! Tammy has lived in Europe since 1999 – first in Hungary and now Ukraine. Before that, she was in Japan, as well as Spokane, Washington. She now serves as INSTE regional director in Europe, assisting INSTE programs in five languages. Tammy has her undergraduate degrees in both Missions and Christian Education, and a MA in Intercultural Studies. Photography, good coffee, multi-cultural experiences, and the family’s Yorkie are some of Tammy’s favorite things.
The diaspora of the Tai Dam refugees in 1975 to Des Moines, Iowa, fueled a first generation of Tai Dam Americans adapting to new ways of life, blending language, culture, and embracing the numerous opportunities in the US. I was part of that first generation. Three years after my parents’ settlement in Iowa, I was born and became the first in my family to acquire an American education and step into a church. We were blessed to have Christian sponsors who helped us transition from our homeland to America.
Every Sunday, our sponsors would take me, my sister, and several of my cousins to church service at the First Church of the Open Bible. Naomi Young was one of the many people who was significant in my life; she gave me my first Bible. Through the faithfulness of Naomi and others at the church, seeds of faith were planted as I was told about a man named Jesus who died on the cross for me. I was curious, but I did not understand and did not accept Him into my life at that time. Attending church was short-lived, coming to a halt when I was eight years old. The seed that was planted in me could not grow because it was never nourished with Truth at home. My parents and grandmother believed and practiced animism and ancestral worship, which is the veneration and honoring of the dead. Confusion infiltrated my mind, and my desire to attend church ceased. While I abandoned everything that was taught to me in Sunday school, I always kept my Bible in a special place underneath my pillow because something in my heart could not throw it away.
The seed that was planted in me could not grow because it was never nourished with Truth at home.
When I was twenty-two years old, my cousin took me to a Buddhist temple to have my fortune read. There, sitting in front of me, were three monks. One monk opened his notebook, wrote in it, then read to me my childhood, present life, and future life story up to the time I would turn thirty years old. He then shut his notebook and told me, “I am done.” When I asked him, “Why?” he told me only, “I cannot read you anymore.” That same week I went to a card reader and had my fortune read. Again, he read my childhood, present life, and up to the age I would be thirty, then stopped. I told him, “You are the second person that could not read me past thirty; tell me – do I die?” He quickly gathered his cards, saying only, “I cannot tell you.”
Throughout my adult life in my twenties, I was in an unhealthy, abusive relationship, which led to an alcohol addiction. When I was twenty-six, I became pregnant and had my daughter, Kaylee, on January 31, 2005. God was already working in my life, and I did not know it; He was molding me and reminding me of who He was through the darkest moments of my life. Around that time, I came upon a childhood friend who worked as a cashier at Hy-Vee; she would tell me, “Soukham, God is so good.” Though I resisted, the words she spoke over me resonated in my heart. Not long after, I found myself attending her funeral. Worship and praise were included in the Christian service. I was confused, but a part of me had the desire to know more about the God they said was so good and how through Him there would be no more pain and suffering. When I left the funeral, the Lord continued to reveal Himself to me through divine encounters. In July of 2008, I took a position at Nationwide Insurance where I reconnected with an old high school friend. She invited me to a Thanksgiving potluck at her church, and my walk with the Lord began soon after.
From the Tai Dam little girl who was born in America and met Jesus in an Iowan church, to the woman who is now taking the hope of Christ back to Southeast Asia, His hand has been in every chapter of my story.
I was thirty years old when I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. The verse that will remain with me forever is 2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (NIV).
Now I understand why the monk and card reader could not read my life past the age of thirty. At that age, I became a new creation because of Jesus Christ, and the enemy no longer had a hold on me! Jesus continued to bless me and my daughter. Amid my pain and struggles, God brought a man into my life, my husband Othone (Pong), who became a father to Kaylee. We got married on September 15, 2010. Together the Lord blessed us with two more children, Isaac and Silas. In 2017, the Lord called us to serve in Iowa at Kingdom Life Church (now Kingdom City Church).
In November 2021, the Lord instilled in Pong’s heart a dream to build a charitable foundation to address needs in the vulnerable communities of Southeast Asia. The foundation would have a Christ-centered vision: to make and equip future disciples, providing them with sustainable resources and empowering them to advance beyond their current situation. Through continuous prayer and the Lord’s guidance, the foundation was born in April 2023 and officially named Nations in Need (NIN). Recently in 2023 and 2024, the Lord took Pong, Kaylee, and three of our brothers, Ap, Peng, and Bay, on trips to Southeast Asia where they built relationships, served the communities, ministered to the people, and spread the good news about Jesus Christ. Today, NIN has branched into multiple communities in Southeast Asia. Through the work of a future center in Southeast Asia, we will expand NIN’s mission and go wherever the Lord leads.
Throughout my whole life God has carried me, even when I didn’t know it. From the Tai Dam little girl who was born in America and met Jesus in an Iowan church, to the woman who is now taking the hope of Christ back to Southeast Asia, His hand has been in every chapter of my story. Whether the next chapter is in America, Southeast Asia, or somewhere else, I will follow Christ, forever His new creation.
About the Author
Soukham Khanthavixay
Soukham Khanthavixay and her husband, Pong, are active members of Kingdom City Church in Des Moines, Iowa. They reside in Pleasant Hill, Iowa, with their three children and two dogs. Soukham is a registered nurse at a local county hospital and also works for Nations in Need (NIN), the ministry her husband founded. Her family and ministry team work together to expand the mission of NIN and spread the gospel. To learn more about Nations in Need, follow them on Facebook or Instagram: @nationsinneed.
Spirit and Truth Church began as a dream amidst the stormy backdrop of January 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the challenges that the world faced, we found ourselves thriving, anchored by the belief that God’s plans always prevail. As we say on our website, we are passionate about helping people “find freedom in the fullness” of both the Spirit and the Word. This foundational vision has carried us through times of uncertainty and propelled us forward.
Yet, for all our successes, we reached a point where we felt like we were on an island—thriving, yes, but lacking the covering, coaching, counsel, and care that every church needs to flourish long term. In 2022, at the first MOVEMENT conference, God spoke directly to my heart, telling me that Spirit and Truth Church was meant to be part of the Open Bible Church family. This call was a turning point for our ministry. In 2023, I was credentialed through Open Bible Churches, and in February of this year (2024), we became officially affiliated with Open Bible Churches’ Mountain Plains region. Since then, the blessings have been immense.
For all our successes, we reached a point where we felt like we were on an island.
Being part of Open Bible has been transformative for us. We have received so much investment, training, and support. Open Bible has helped us shore up essential aspects of our ministry: leadership, organization, staffing, budget, facilities, and more. Our growth has been remarkable—we’ve doubled in size, growing from 60 to 120 regular attendees in the past year. This growth, I believe, is a testament to both the godly covering of Open Bible and the Spirit-led outreaches we engage in. Our church has a culture of lifestyle evangelism and hospitality where all our members are witnesses and welcomers. In addition, we have forged strategic partnerships with other ministries.
One of the most exciting partnerships we have is with Every Heart Tours, a ministry led by fiery, Jesus-loving college students from Michigan. These students come to stay with us for a week at a time, engaging in outdoor worship outreaches and “prophetic treasure hunts.” If you’re unfamiliar with this term, a prophetic treasure hunt is an evangelistic practice where participants ask the Holy Spirit to reveal specific details about people they will meet, and then they go into the community to find these “treasures.” It’s a beautiful, Spirit-led adventure allowing us to partner with God and minister to people in our city in a unique way. We’ve seen so many lives touched and transformed through these treasure hunts.
What started as a small church plant in Northern Colorado has since grown into a vibrant community reflecting the heart of God for His people.
One of the most powerful testimonies from these outreaches happened this summer (2024). We had a team of prophetic ministers giving specific words to people as we worshipped in Fort Collins Old Town square. We preached the gospel boldly, and by the end of the night eleven people made the decision to be baptized! We walked down to the Poudre River and witnessed the supernatural power of God as they went under the water and came up renewed. It was a moment that felt like the early church, where “the Lord added to their number daily” (Acts 2:47 NIV).
Of course, ministry isn’t always easy. We’ve faced rejection and opposition. But we hold firm to the truth of Romans 1:16: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.” The harvest is plentiful, and we’ve seen this reality unfold before our eyes. As we continue to partner with ministries, step out in faith, and preach the gospel, we trust that God will continue to bring more people into His kingdom.
Our journey with Open Bible has been a testimony to God’s faithfulness. What started as a small church plant in Northern Colorado has since grown into a vibrant community reflecting the heart of God for His people. We remain committed to spreading the good news and making sure outreach and evangelism are at the heart of our ministry. The harvest is ready, Open Bible fam – let’s go bring it in!
About the Author
Rob Bray
Rob Bray is a marketplace and ministry leader with over a decade of experience in both business and church contexts. He is the founder and lead pastor of Spirit + Truth Church, an Open Bible Church in the Mountain Plains Region. Rob has catalyzed successful companies, grown healthy ministries, and spoken at influential conferences, workshops, and events. Rob’s expertise and passion have made him a trusted advisor and coach for leaders and entrepreneurs seeking breakthroughs in multiple areas including life, marriage, and business. Rob and his wife Bethany live on their homestead in Fort Collins, CO, with their six children: Nehemiah, Nora, Noelle, Neely, Nayla, and Nicholas. In their spare time, they enjoy hiking, paddle boarding, and snowboarding.
