Bernie and Cathy Gillott are modern-day heroes of the faith. They are missionaries with Global Teen Challenge, an organization designed to help young adults get back on track. They travel extensively to other nations sharing the good news of God’s plan of redemption for all mankind through Jesus Christ. The journey has been rewarding but not without challenges.
The Gillott’s celebrate the good that God has done and the power He has shown in the work they are doing in the following testimony provided by their ministry. If you would like to contact, pray or donate to Bernie or Cathy Gillott, their email is [email protected]. We pray that you are blessed by their witness of the power and grace of our God.
The following testimony provided by Cathy Gillott:
Ten years ago today, on July 23, 2007, my cell phone rang in Gloucester. It was Bernie. He called with the horrifying news that he was in the intensive care unit in New York City. The doctor had just told him, “I am sorry Mr. Gillott, you have six inoperable pulmonary emboli in your lungs. You will not survive the night.”
Bernie said, “I love you,” and there was silence. In that moment his words sank in. His extensive traveling schedule had caused deep vein blood clots to form, moving from his leg to his lungs. Now testing revealed six “giant” pulmonary embolisms that threatened to take his life. BUT GOD!
When I received the news, there was a moment of fear, which was quickly replaced by anger that the enemy was going to try to take my husband, followed by a fierce determination that God would have the last word. Of course, Bernie only remembers me saying, “Don’t you dare die till I get there!”
Bern’s pulse ox was under 60, he was on pure oxygen and still unable to get his breath. The tissue in his lungs was damaged and the right side of his heart was about to burst.
Even though the doctor’s prognosis was, “No hope,” we prayed, along with many of you. Despite the doctor’s dire prediction, God gave us a promise in Psalm 118:17. “You will not die, you will live, and declare my glory to the nations.” God, in His faithfulness, raised Bernie from that hospital bed. I am still SO GRATEFUL for all of you that joined us in prayer as we watched God do the MIRACLE!
He left the hospital, on oxygen, in a wheelchair. The doctors warned us that survival would demand a total lifestyle change. The specialist shared, “Because of the damage to your heart and lungs, you will not be a missionary again. Perhaps you could pastor a small church? If you share sitting down, you may have a few years.”
The doctor warned me, “If he boards a plane again, when the aircraft reaches altitude, his heart will burst”. He reminded us that we really did not have much time. “In 80% of cases, following a right side systolic pressure over 60 — survival rate is less than three years.
With his warning ringing in our ears, we still went home believing God. Within six weeks, diagnostic tests began to confirm that God was doing a miracle. On September 6, 2007, Bernie returned to Cuba on a critical mission. Our God is AWESOME! . Through four air flights, Norfolk to Miami to Havana and home to Virginia, God kept him. That was just the beginning.
I am not sure what report you have been given, not sure what you have been told, not sure what THEY said, but we know this –God has the last word. The name of Jesus is the final authority.
To be honest, I do not know what you are facing today, but I DO know that you DO NOT face it alone. We have traveled over a million miles since July 2007 and just returned from Madagascar where we (along with the Mission SOS team) ministered to over 157,000 people and over 30,000 committed their lives to Christ. God is still not done with us.
God is faithful and His promise is true. “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10.
Not just 10 years ago, but over and over and over, God has been so LOVING and so FAITHFUL! And we are so GRATEFUL! Whose report will you believe? We will believe the report of the Lord. To God be the glory, great things He has done!
Article Written By: Debbie Harper, Ph.D.
