This painting is a representation of my conversion to Christianity, Easter morning, 2023.
Here, in brief, is my testimony.
I entered the hospital on Wednesday April 5, 2023 to undergo an operation for stage 4 Stomach Cancer. The operation was a success, but as a result of complications, the pain I experienced over 3 nights was so severe it drove me to pray for my own death. The pain medications administered did almost nothing during this time. As a practicing Buddhist of 51 years, I continually prayed to the Buddha for relief but relief didn’t come.
In this Catholic hospital a Crucifix was hanging on the wall facing my bed. In my terrible pain I finally, and somewhat reluctantly, turned to Jesus on that third night, praying that he would help me die. I thought my only escape from this nightmare was death. I wanted to die. I had gone to the absolute darkest place a person can go. At about 4 in the morning I called my wife Pamela and asked her to come to the hospital. I told her I couldn’t do it anymore. I had given up - please come. She came and held my hand and prayed. I gripped the bed with tears streaming from my eyes. After hours of torment - 3 nights of intolerable pain - relief came that morning. It was Sunday morning, Easter morning. The pain had lifted. The next night I slept soundly for 7 hours, the first real sleep I had since the operation on Wednesday.
I left the hospital the next day. I had been traumatized by the terrible suffering I experienced in the hospital. I felt damaged. Once home, Pam suggested I speak to her Priest, Father Paul, at her church, which I did. He and I had a good talk and without pushing me one way or the other, he made suggestions. He said maybe I wasn’t damaged but shaken and that perhaps I had been sent a letter. Violently shaken, I thought, and that was definitely an unexpected letter! I had a lot to process.
Over the next few days I quietly turned to Christianity and to Jesus. I told my wife I was going to be a poor Christian. She said it didn’t matter. She said we are all poor Christians. I smiled.
I thank God for His Grace and for all the prayers I received.
This painting is a representation of my conversion to Christianity, Easter morning, 2023.
Here, in brief, is my testimony.
I entered the hospital on Wednesday April 5, 2023 to undergo an operation for stage 4 Stomach Cancer. The operation was a success, but as a result of complications, the pain I experienced over 3 nights was so severe it drove me to pray for my own death. The pain medications administered did almost nothing during this time. As a practicing Buddhist of 51 years, I continually prayed to the Buddha for relief but relief didn’t come.
In this Catholic hospital a Crucifix was hanging on the wall facing my bed. In my terrible pain I finally, and somewhat reluctantly, turned to Jesus on that third night, praying that he would help me die. I thought my only escape from this nightmare was death. I wanted to die. I had gone to the absolute darkest place a person can go. At about 4 in the morning I called my wife Pamela and asked her to come to the hospital. I told her I couldn’t do it anymore. I had given up - please come. She came and held my hand and prayed. I gripped the bed with tears streaming from my eyes. After hours of torment - 3 nights of intolerable pain - relief came that morning. It was Sunday morning, Easter morning. The pain had lifted. The next night I slept soundly for 7 hours, the first real sleep I had since the operation on Wednesday.
I left the hospital the next day. I had been traumatized by the terrible suffering I experienced in the hospital. I felt damaged. Once home, Pam suggested I speak to her Priest, Father Paul, at her church, which I did. He and I had a good talk and without pushing me one way or the other, he made suggestions. He said maybe I wasn’t damaged but shaken and that perhaps I had been sent a letter. Violently shaken, I thought, and that was definitely an unexpected letter! I had a lot to process.
Over the next few days I quietly turned to Christianity and to Jesus. I told my wife I was going to be a poor Christian. She said it didn’t matter. She said we are all poor Christians. I smiled.
I thank God for His Grace and for all the prayers I received.
Tommy Hunt