MIRACLE HEALING TESTIMONY
by:  Alex Hudson

"He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him and with His stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5)

I RECEIVED A HEALING MIRACLE FROM JESUS CHRIST

THE MIRACLE AT LEAF RIVER

Alex Hudson is what you'd call, 'A Man's Man'.  At six feet three inches tall, with a muscular frame, with long arms and big hands, he strikes you as a man who has things to do, places to go and people to see.  And at 71 years of age, he moves about like a man twenty years his junior.

His ruggedly handsome looks, ready smile and friendly approach endears him to his family, friends and neighbors in the progressive little northern Manitoba village of Poplar River, where he has lived for more than four decades.

This Canadian Cree Indian has doubled as a commercial fisherman and Pentecostal pastor for 40 years, working long hours on the water catching fish and longer hours ministering to the sinful, discouraged, sick and dying of his community and other villages, both near and far away.

DORIS HEARD THE GOSPEL AT FISH CAMP

Although he learned about hard work from his father and grandfather, this wavy haired, blue-eyed grandson of a Scotsman was taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ by his lovely wife, Doris who heard the GOOD NEWS at a Fish Camp where she worked one summer.

It wasn’t long before Alex and Doris were spreading the Gospel everywhere with great results, as people were delivered from alcoholism, witchcraft, sickness and demon powers. They traveled by boat and visited the poor and needy bringing them both natural and spiritual food.

The Hudson's were untiring in sharing the GOOD NEWS of God's love through Jesus Christ to the people of Norway House, Manitoba and were instrumental in building the first Pentecostal Church there! They have a story to tell - yea, many stories! In this column, I will attempt to tell one of those true stories: 'THE MIRACLE OF LEAF RIVER!'. Rejoice with me, as I take you to northern Manitoba to get a glimpse of God's Miracle Working Power in action.

It was August, 1979 and the Hudson family were returning home from Winnipeg, where they had been attending a summer camp meeting. They traveled by road to Jackfish and after transferring gear and supplies to their boat, they struck out across the waters heading for Poplar River, under normal conditions a three hour journey.

Their 115 H.P. Motor and little boat were no match for the boisterous wind and monstrous waves which met them head-on. With their clothes and blankets soaked and danger staring them in the face, Alex was forced to 'put-in' on a little wilderness island to wait out the storm.

TRAGEDY STRIKES IN TRAPPER’S CABIN

In the late afternoon, the little party of seven - Mom and Dad (Doris & Alex) and five children from the ages of 8 to 15 decided to make the journey home. Once more they ran into severe weather and were forced to turn back and steered the little boat into the calmer waters of Leaf River.

By now it was dark, being about 9 PM. They thanked God for an old trappers cabin standing there. They would get dried out and get a good night's rest! Alex started a fire in the stove and nearly everyone stood around the stove for warmth. Alex Jr. - 8 years old - stood beside his Daddy as usual, not wanting to miss anything.

Alex took down the gas lantern and proceeded to light it, when suddenly it exploded in his hands sending a spray of gas and fire in all directions. He turned toward the door to throw the lantern outside and as he did, gas & fire sprayed all over his young son. The entire cabin was on instantly on fire and Alex stumbled out the door, as did all the children except little Alex and their Mother, Doris.

Doris froze momentarily, when the accident happened. She was surrounded by flames. As she ran toward what she thought was the door, she saw a figure jumping up and down in the fire. It was Little Alex! She threw her arms around him and pulled him toward the door. Falling, she grabbed him by the legs and dragged him out with the help of the others, who by this time had put out the fire on their clothes.

He was severely burned - his chest, around the waist and his back - and Doris' fingers were also burned. They all gathered in a circle and thanked God that they were all alive! Alex' hands and wrists were seriously burned. Large bags of fluid had filled the blisters. With all the strength she could muster - even though her fingers were burned - Doris managed to paddle across the narrow river, where they tied up for the night.

SUPERNATURAL LIGHT HANGS OVER BOAT

Doris and Jean (13) agreed to stay awake while the others slept, lest someone would wake up in the night and fall overboard. After a few hours, however, they also fell asleep and were both awakened by a bright light which hung over the boat like a huge canopy. Although it was still pitch black everywhere else in the area, God's glorious light hung over and around them, even lighting up the trees that were nearby. After seeing this phenomenon for several minutes, they both fell fast asleep again. And when it was light at about 6:AM, the entire group awakened and were refreshed.

They decided to go to the “Mouth of the River” and Alex, with some help from Gloria (15), got the motor started and steered to that point. Utilizing some old, discarded tee-pee poles, they made a lean-to by using their tarps and blankets. And because it was still blowing hard they stayed in their make-shift sanctuary all day. Doris made some food, but no-one was hungry because every one was hurting badly.

A LIGHT AIRPLANE ARRIVES

Toward evening, they heard an airplane and every one ran outside, waving. The light plane landed on the river directly across from the burned-out trapper's cabin. A man got out, unloaded some wares and the plane immediately took off! The man on the bank waved to them saying: "Come over here. Come over here"! And after about 30 minutes on the oars, Doris brought the boat in.

When he saw Alex' hands, he exclaimed, "I’ve got to get you out of here. You've got to get to a hospital."

He quickly loaded his wares & got the motor started. Then he headed toward the rough waters where they met a large 22 foot Yawl, which took them on a three hour trip to Berens River! The Nursing station phoned for a ‘medi vac’ to take Alex and his son to the Burn Unit in Winnipeg! Even though it was a stormy night, the plane arrived and ferried them safely to the city.

WHAT WAS THE OUTCOME OF THIS TERRIBLE TRAGEDY? First, the surgeons were preparing to do a major amputation. The doctor asked Alex: "What is your occupation?" He answered, "A Commercial Fisherman". Then he said, "You'll have to get a new profession. We're going to have to amputate your right hand and three fingers on your left hand."

Alex and his family and others prayed for a miracle. The next morning, the doctor was amazed. Something was happening! He said, "Bandage them up again. We'll wait with the operation one more day". The following morning when he examined Alex's hands, he was even more excited. THERE WAS LIFE IN THE DEAD FLESH. His hands were rapidly healing. He said, "Nurse, bandage them up again and we'll see what they look like tomorrow". On the following morning, when the doctor removed the bandages, he was ecstatic. God had healed the dead flesh and Alex' hands were recovering nicely.

THERE WAS NO NEED OF ANY AMPUTATIONS! HALLELUJAH

The doctor believed however, that he would need a skin graft on one finger of his left hand. The operation was scheduled for the next morning. Again Alex and his wife prayed and the following morning, lo and behold, new skin had grown overnight.

What a miracle! Both his hands and all his fingers were healed without surgery or skin grafts. And he went home within 3 weeks with NO scars.

The doctors, however, told Alex that his days of ‘Commercial Fishing’ were over, since he would not be able to tolerate the cold. Well, he has continued to fish right up until today.

Secondly, Alex Jr. needed skin grafts but was released after six weeks instead of the expected six months, with no ill after effects.

And finally, like Paul Harvey would say, "Here is the rest of the story": The man who was brought directly to the Hudson Family in their dire need and who ferried them to safety, undoubtedly saving Alex Jr.'s life and his Dad's hands, was none other than a bootlegger, making an unscheduled diversion in order to escape from an POLICE dragnet.

GOD UTILIZED A BOOTLEGGER TO HELP HIS PREACHER-MAN

You see, the bootlegger had hired an airplane to fly him with his stash of 'illegal booze' to a certain village. Police surveillance had him pegged, but before he arrived, someone tipped off the pilot and plan B was agreed upon -"Meet me with the Yawl at the trapper's cabin at  Leaf River!"

God in His mercy made the diversion possible by having someone tip-off the police and someone else tip-off the pilot, and arrange for the bootlegger to be dropped off directly at the spot where his beloved missionary/pastor family were stranded in an evolving life and death situation.

Now, you know the wonderful story of 'THE MIRACLE AT LEAF RIVER', to the glory of God. Remember, that our Lord is no respecter of persons and He will hear your cry for help as He heard those of the Alex Hudson Family.

BIBLE VERSE CAN CURE 
SICKNESS & DISEASE
by:  Pastor Max Solbekken, D.D.

GOD'S HEALING COVENANT

"And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I AM the LORD that healeth thee." (Exodus 15:26)

NONE OF THESE DISEASES

One of the most helpful books in print today is the classic, 'None of These Diseases' by Dr. S.I. McMillan.

The author, Dr. S.I. McMillan, a prominent medical doctor uses humor, common sense and a biblical perspective, in dealing with the causes and cures of today's diseases.

"It is lamentable that peace does not come in capsules", he utters in failure as he remembers the thousands of patients who left his office with "nothing but a prescription for a bottle of pills that would only relieve the symptoms of their illness but not attack the diseases.

The good doctor laments that he now wishes he had rather prescribed his book, 'None of These Diseases', so that a permanent cure could have been affected!  According to Medical Science, between 60 and 100% of all diseases are caused by nervous tension, emotional stress and strain.

Dr. McMillan states that emotions such as fear, sorrow, envy, resentment and hatred are responsible for the majority of our sicknesses and diseases.  And that emotional stress can cause high blood pressure, toxic goiter, arthritis, migraine headaches, apoplexy, heart trouble, gastro-intestinal ulcers and other serious illnesses and diseases.

And recently (about 1996) the American Medical Association released the findings of a nation-wide survey of tens of thousands of their medics. One of the questions dealt with their success ratio in treating patients.  The answer is shocking - Only 10% of patients had received any lasting help through their medical procedures.

MEDICAL SCIENCE HISTORY RESTS ON SHAKY FOUNDATION

Having any problems with falling hair?  What do you do to cover up that bald spot and receding hairline?

Probably the only solution is to massage your head, comb your hair forward, get a toupee or just simply let it fall.

CRAZY CURES FOR DISEASES 3500 YEARS AGO

If you had lived about 3500 years ago you would have gotten very different advice - not from a therapist but from your physician.

He would have quoted from the famous medical authority of that day, Papyrus Ebers.

"When it falls out, one remedy is to apply a mixture of six fats, namely those of the horse, the hippopotamus, the crocodile, the cat, the snake and the ibex. To strengthen it, anoint with the tooth of a donkey crushed in honey."

THE PAPYRUS EBERS - AN ANCIENT MEDICAL WORLD GUIDE - REMEDIES FOR DISEASES 1552 BC

The Papyrus Ebers was published about 1552 BC and occupied a dominant position in the ancient medical world and was one of the leading guides for practicing physicians for a long time.

There are literally hundreds of remedies for diseases in this book, such as lizard's blood, swine's teeth, putrid meat, stinking fat, moisture from pig's ears, milk goose grease, asses hooves, animal fat from various sources, excrete from animals, including human beings, donkeys, antelopes, dogs, cats and even flies.

THROUGH MOSES, GOD MADE HIS HEALING COVENANT WITH THE JEWISH NATION

Moses was born about the time the 'Papyrus Ebers' was written in Egypt.  He was educated in their highest schools of learning - scholars think he was also a physician - as the son of Pharaoh's daughter.

But when God called Moses to lead His people out of Egyptian bondage, he did not borrow from the "occultist clap-trap" in their medical books of disease remedies.  He rejected the highest, most respected medical authority of that day.

Moses' directive was "Heed the voice of God, do right, obey His commandments, keep His statutes and I will heal you".

God did not borrow medical advice from the 'Papyrus Ebers'. His advice to Moses was contrary to the most highly respected medical thought of that day.

THE CHURCH WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN STOPPING THE BLACK DEATH DISEASE

Millions of Europeans died of the disease Leprosy for hundreds of years.  Some physicians thought the cause of the disease Leprosy was eating hot food or the meat of diseased hogs.  Others blamed the disease Leprosy on malign conjunction of the planets.

Approximately 60 million people died from the BLACK DEATH disease in the 14th century.  Dr. George Rosen of Columbia University writes: "Leadership was taken by the Church, as the physicians had nothing to offer.  The Church took as its guiding principal the concept of contagion as embodied in the Old Testament.

DISEASE OF LEPROSY - PEOPLE AFFLICTED WITH THIS DISEASE WERE QUARANTINE

"Once the condition of leprosy has been established, the patient was to be segregated and excluded from the community...it accomplished the first great feat...in methodical eradication of disease."

Possibly, the Church needs to investigate measures to insure that the AIDS epidemic does not leap from high risk groups to the general population, since governmental and medical bodes are again "doing nothing".

For centuries in Europe, multitudes perished from deadly diseases because of improper hygiene, sanitation and sloppy hospitals.  In many villages, human excrement and waste was dumped into the streets, bringing deadly diseases, creating epidemics of typhoid, cholera and dysentery.

GOD HAD GIVEN INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE BURYING OF WASTES 3500 YEARS AGO

The solution to the problem that was causing these deadly diseases, the burying of wastes, had been given by God 3500 years before (in Deuteronomy 23:12-13).

HYGIENE CUT MORTALITY RATE - GOOD HYGIENE STOPPED DISEASES FROM SPREADING

Vienna in the 1840s was famous as a medical center.  One of the most famous teaching hospitals of that  day was Allegemeine Krakenhus.  In its maternity ward, one out of six women died.

Dr. Ignaz Semmelveis discovered that if doctors washed their hands well, after doing autopsies and before examining expectant mothers, the mortality rate dropped drastically.

Dr. Semmelveis was not applauded by the Medical Profession.  However, he was ridiculed by his peers, discredited, lost his position and eventually succumbed to the pressure, dying in a mental hospital.

Moses had given the same advice many centuries before (in Numbers 19).  If wasn't until 1878 that the method of cleaning hands and instruments was introduced by men like John Tyendall, Louis Pasteur and Sir Joseph Lister that the mortality rate began to drop.

The New York State Department of Health, in 1960, issued a book describing a method of washing the hands very similar to that found the BIBLE - Numbers Chapter 19.

JOHN WESLEY, FOUNDER OF THE METHODIST CHURCH DECLARED IT WAS GOD'S WILL FOR MIRACLES TO BE IN THE CHURCH, BUT THE MIRACLES HAD BEEN LOST DUE TO UNBELIEF

It's interesting to note that John Wesley - founder of the Methodist Church declared that it is God's will for miracles to be in the Church, for the entire Church age, but have been lost to the church because of UNBELIEF.

He further stated, "The only method of physics employed by the Early Church for the first 400 years, was the prayer of faith."

Medical science has come a long way since Papyrus Ebers was published in 1552, BC and even since the 1840's in Vienna, but I still think that when your family physician advises you to get a second or third opinion about an operation, its a good idea.

Now if anyone wants to try the remedy for falling hair, don't let me discourage you. But then where would you find a hippopotamus these days?

As for me and my house, we will Trust the Lord and serve Him only!

WHAT IS THE KEY
 to receiving healing, miracles and answers to Prayer?
By: Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.

SEEKING GOD IN PRAYER, PRAISE, WORSHIP AND EXPECTANT FAITH

The key to receiving miracles and answers to prayers in found in seeking God in prayer, praise, worship and having expectant faith. Unfailing faith that God will answer your prayers and expect a miracle.  I believe that a major key to  miraculous healing miracles can be found in the steadfast faith, steadfast godly lifestyle and exemplary Christian testimony.

A DOCTOR ANSWERS QUESTIONS ON FAITH HEALING
By: Dr. A. Wagenaar of Hilversum, Holland

Questions: Dr. Wagenaar, will you tell us what your position is in the field of science?

Answers: "I have been medical superintendent in the Orchidee Hospital, Hilversum, for the last six years. Before that I was a family doctor for 23 years in Dordrecht."

Questions:  Do you believe in miracles of healing?

Answers: "Of course! In my practice as a family doctor I have seen many miracles take place."

Questions: When is healing a miracle?

Answers: "When it is not the result of medical treatment."

Questions: Can a miracle not be explained away psychologically?

Answers: "No, that is not to be thought of. Just as you cannot explain away the miracles of the New Testament.

"Every physician knows that spontaneous miracles do occur. You will be interested to know that spontaneous hearings have even been reported in patients who suffer from cancer. This has been publicized several times in medical journals. Medical science has admitted that miracles do occur after the prayer of faith."

Questions: You said that you have seen miracles occur in your practice. Could you give us an example?

Answers: "Yes, in Dordrecht I had a very busy practice. A family doctor in the course of his practice meets many people who are in urgent need of medical help and he does all he can to help them.

"I will tell you about one patient. He used to play music in bars and was inclined to treat life lightly. He needed an operation and I gave him a card for the hospital. But before he was to be operated on I asked him to go with me to one of Ev. Johan Maasbach's big meetings. He agreed and, during the meeting, concentrated on God. When he went later to check in for the operation the surgeon said, You can go home, we are not going to operate on you, you are totally healed!"

Questions: Have you advised other people too to go to Johan Maasbach's meetings?

Answers: "Yes, many! Generally after an introductory talk and often after I have spoken to one of the elders of the church; I asked the elder to visit my patient and, so to speak, break the ice. I know that Br. Maasbach sends the patient on to the Heavenly Doctor who can do more than all the branches of science combined.

"Over and above those I have mentioned I have sent many others to Br. Maasbach after they had been to consult me. I have seen them saved in the meeting and healed as well. I am so glad that in this time when one church after another is being broken down there are still people who let their voices be heard more than ever. We urgently need more men like Johan Maasbach.

He is a man who has preached for many years that sickness usually comes from within - from the heart of man - and is often the result of hate, envy, grudges and bitterness. Now medical science too admits that many diseases are a result of inner tensions!"

Questions: You believe then that Br. Maasbach is not being medically irresponsible in what he preaches?

Answers: "No indeed! He preaches that people who come forward for healing must bring not only their sins but also their cares and all their inner problems to God. That is a healing truth. That is biblical truth."

Questions: How did you yourself come to faith in Christ?

Answers: "I will tell you! When I was a young man of 23 1 almost drowned. I was trying to save a woman who had fallen into the water and it nearly resulted in my own death. However, after fighting for my life and finally reaching dry land, I was a new man. I knew that I had reached a spiritual turning point. God had let me live!"

Questions: What do you think about certain doctors who have seen miracles with their own eyes and still refuse to believe?

Answers: "I have met people who have had their healing confirmed by many people and who afterwards went to various doctors to demonstrate their hea5;ng only to be rejected. I must assume that these doctors are totally blind to God's existence..

This is not however a problem peculiar to medical science; you know as well as I do that many ministers, preachers and priests; are just as blind to the message of divine heating."

Questions: Doctor, do you often speak to your patients about faith in Jesus Christ?

Answers: "I always do so when I feel so guided. When you know that, medically speaking, there is no cure possible then - at least this is how it is for me - you can only speak a positive word, the Word of God.

"I have personally led several people who were ill to the through inner tensions to the Lord. Only He, Jesus Christ, can give that desperately needed rest."

Questions: Do you think that later a medical cure may be found for certain illnesses which can now only be cured by a miracle?

Answers: "If I think of cancer, I know that man is hard at work to find a cure. This is the prediction and hope of everyone working in that field. However they have not yet found a cure. And should a medical cure be found there will still be other incurable illnesses…"

Questions: Finally doctor, do you consider that personal faith in Jesus Christ is of importance to science?

Answers: "Very important!! You know that science has gone out on a limb in believing that man is descended from apes. Science is still trying to find the missing link!! The friction between faith and science is that when man comes to faith he can no longer accept such theories as that of evolution.

"Faith in Jesus Christ is of the utmost importance for all, including those engaged in the pursuit of scientific knowledge."

"... and with His stripes we were healed." Isaiah 53:5