Before he went to the hospital, his skin was so scaly and thick that he said it looked like lizard's skin. It was so itchy that he would use candle wax to burn his skin for some relief. There were times he wished he had more hands to scratch his whole body. At one point, he thought of swallowing all his painkillers to end his life because he simply couldn't stand the anguish.

A week after his admission to the hospital the patient next to his bed died. Naturally, he became very depressed with thoughts that perhaps he wouldn't be able to make it home alive. That night, he prayed to God to end all his sufferings and to take him home. It was at this moment that the Lord comforted him.

The Lord gave him a dream. He saw a very beautiful place with a house and a myriad of beautiful yellow, white and pink flowers. There was no one around so he called out, “Is anybody here? Can I come in?”

A voice answered saying he may not enter because his time is not yet up, and when the time does come, someone will guide his return. He felt much consolation in knowing that one day the Holy Spirit would take him home to the beautiful heavenly kingdom. He was also glad that he did not succeed in committing suicide; otherwise, he won't get to come back to this beautiful place.

Bro. Tan’s body is very weak because of the complex combination of drugs that he has to take. He feels a persistent cold within him that even layers of blankets or sweaters cannot warm.

Just before dawn that same night of the dream, he felt someone came into his room and covered him with an extra blanket. Before he went to bed, he clearly remembered that he was covered with two blankets. When he got up the next morning, he expected to find three blankets on him but was surprised to see only two.

He dismissed his dreams, went to the toilet, and returned to his bed. It was when he wanted to cover himself again that he discovered that he did not feel cold anymore. He realized that the Lord Jesus must have come to cover him with the blanket and gave him the warmth that he needed. For the first time in over a week of hospital stay, he was warm enough to take a shower.

Bro. Tan prayed very hard for the Holy Spirit because he longed to return to the beautiful place in his dream. After he awakened from the dream, he prayed about fifty to sixty times for the Holy Spirit that night. His prayers were simple: “Hallelujah, Jesus, I know You love me. I love You, too. Please give me Your Holy Spirit.”

On the first of October, Bro. Tan was able to come to church for the first time since his admittance to the hospital. He had applied for a three-hour leave so he could observe Sabbath and partake of the Holy Communion.

After service, he told us that he received the Holy Spirit during the last prayer. He spoke in an unknown tongue, and for the first time in over twenty years tears rolled freely down his cheeks. He felt so joyful and sinful at the same time—something that he's never experienced before. He was still full of joy as he related his experience to his family.

The Lord Jesus is indeed a loving and merciful God, who has comforted and relieved Bro. Tan of his sufferings. Most importantly, He has given him the precious Holy Spirit.

These days, Bro. Tan looks healthy and joyful as he shares with others about how God has continued to heal him and given him peace. He breathes much better, he is able to walk, and his skin is no longer as itchy and scaly as before. He is full of praise for the almighty God who has shown him such great mercy and love.

Please remember Bro. Tan in your prayers—that his faith will be further strengthened and God's grace and love will continue to lift him.