Dear Friends, Family, Brothers and Sisters in Christ
Since I was diagnosed with cancer approximately a week ago, we have been absolutely overwhelmed by the kindness of people. We have received knowledge of people all over the world that they are praying for the Lord to open a way for me to be healed so I can continue with the Lord's work.
Retha (my wife) and I would like to thank each and every one of you for your kindness, support and prayers-you have all been a great help in pulling us through the first stage of emotions and fears of this new journey. Please know that even though we can't answer all the emails, sms' and phone calls, we have people at the office that are assisting us to keep track of each person and their message. We also take every message with advice on how to beat this very seriously, and we are forwarding these emails onto the team that is treating me.
I will be away from my office for a period of time starting today, so I will not be able to receive emails. If you would like to keep in contact with us and receive any updates, please email all messages to info@edenlifeministries.co.za. The team at the office will be able to answer your queries, and they will also add you onto the list as and when there is any news. There will also be an update on my situation on the Eden Life website - please visit www.edenlifeministries.net or www.edenlifeministries.co.za or www.edenlewe.co.za and click on the Mark's support button.
On Wednesday morning at 10am we held an anointing service in our hometown, Ladismith, and an additional group also had special prayer on Thursday 10am. We could strongly feel the presence of the Lord, and it was a very reverend and emotional affair. Thousands all over the world joined us in praying to the Lord, requesting Him to physically heal me. Although His decision was not to do so instantly, I know without the shadow of a doubt that He was there and that He could have, had He wanted to. This means to me that the Lord is doing something greater with this illness than just a miracle healing-something that will cause His name to be glorified massively. When speaking about Lazarus, Jesus said: Joh 11:4 When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby. I truly believe that this is what is happening. Although we cannot see into the future, I know that the Lord is going to do something very exciting... what it is we will just have to wait and see.
Many people all over the world have asked us what they can do to assist, as they feel their hands are tied. There are a number of things I would like to ask of you:
- Pray more, corporately as groups - especially as a family
- Husbands, hold your wives more, and tell her you love her (and mean it)
- Parents, turn off the TV and spend more time with your children. Constantly tell them you love them.
- Go for more walks and spend less time behind your computer
People have also asked if they can assist financially, as our costs have naturally increased dramatically. The answer to this is two-fold:
- Firstly, we are grateful for your financial assistance for our family. We will be sending out an email with details about a new 'Mark Woodman Medical Fund', where your donations can be sent. This money will be used to cover medical and personal expenses, and excess will be channelled into treating people who need assistance but cannot afford it. If you wish to contribute to this, please contact Marius Odendaal at marius@edenlifeministries.co.za and he will forward you our personal bank details.
- Secondly, and I believe more importantly... Through this cancer, Satan has stopped me temporarily. He put a limit to the number of souls I can reach. You can change this by helping my lectures to be broadcast to thousands of people. The Lord has given us the opportunity to start the Eden Life Satellite TV Network. This is a 24 hour a day, 7 day a week, uncompromised 3 Angels Message preaching TV channel that will spread the message of Christ's soon return across the whole of Africa and Europe. Can you imagine the amazing impact this can have, if Walter Veith's DVD's, my DVD's and many other preachers are broadcast to 100 million souls?
We urgently need your assistance with this. If this TV channel is going to be switched on, then, we need R250 000 more in just over a week. We have well over R100 000 already, and we want to pay the rest across shortly. Please consider assisting us with this.
Imagine: all we need is 250 people giving R1000 each (about $100 USA). I am sure we can do this! What is a R1000 to reach a 100 million souls? What could possibly, in these times we live in, be more important than to utilize all our talents to spread the Lord's gospel? Please urgently consider assisting us to get this off the ground so we can fight even harder than before to reach souls for the Kingdom. If you are able to assist with this, then the details can be obtained on the Eden Life website.
Otherwise please urgently speak to Marius Odendaal on +27 (0)82 419 1710 or +27 (0)28 551 2384 or marius@edenlifeministries.co.za. - For more details on the Eden Life Satellite TV Network, please visit www.edenlifeministries.net or www.edenlewe.co.za and click on the TV Network button.
Due to the pressure on the brain, I have now lost about 80% vision in my right eye and also about 40% in my left eye. I pray this will improve as treatment starts. I am travelling out of town to go for treatments, so although I personally will be out of contact for the next period, I will be sending out updates to our situation whenever possible. Please continue to keep us in your prayers, as we enter the healing phase of this situation.
Thank you for your kindness and support. Thank you for allowing me to do the Lord's work, and thank you for showing the Lord your willingness to assist Him to spread the 3 Angel's Messages all over the world. Jos 1:9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Be strong, brother and sisters. Be strong and be of good courage. Pray more. Hug your family more. And spend more time doing something big for the Lord.
Your friend and brother in Christ.
Kind regards
Mark Woodman
(HomeBase Alliance of Biblcal Facts)
Eden Life Ministries