No Plan to Deal with Trials

No Plan to Deal with Trials

By Aubrey Beauchamp RN
Special to ASSIST News Service

SAN CLEMENTE, CA (ANS) -- David Pagani was a successful businessman, well-travelled and fluent in several languages. He had it all. But then his wife Norma was diagnosed with cancer in the hard palate of her mouth. Doctors insisted that with without radical surgery she would die. Surgery included removal of half her jaw as well as the roof of her mouth. Her face would be disfigured and her speech unclear and slurry. At the same time Dave's business was sliding downhill towards life support.

David and Norma Pagani

For the first time in his life this self-made man didn't know what to do. He had no plan to deal with these trials. He felt helpless, not in control, and angry that he could not change or fix his circumstances.

To make matters worse, his wife had become a Christian. She talked about a God Who loved her and was confident He was going to heal her. She also began to read a Bible. All this only fueled Dave's anger. He felt refusing surgery was an irresponsible decision on his wife's part, based on lack of judgment. But Norma didn't budge and Dave's frustration grew.

Eventually, they drifted apart and within a few months were separated. A divorce followed. For two years they had no contact with each other.

Then something happened - Norma was healed! The doctors could not find a trace of cancer and discharged her. Norma was not surprised but Dave was dumfounded. They began to see each other again. Dave realized that Norma had truly put her trust in Jesus. She had peace. He learned that for two years she had prayed they would get together again and God would restore their marriage. That prayer was answered and, eventually, Dave and Norma remarried.

Even though Dave was impressed by the changes he saw in his wife, he still maintained a strong handle on his own life. Maybe Jesus was good for her, but he was his own boss. His god was his work.

However, after four years of this, Norma had enough, and left him for a second time.

Alone in his office, Dave sat forlorn, miserable and defeated. He pondered what had gone wrong and why he was, again, in such a hopeless situation. A phone call interrupted his thoughts. A friend he had worked with on a project in the past was on the other line. After some small talk, Dave admitted he was miserable. The friend boldly told Dave that Jesus could help him, but only if he'd let Him.

"Do you see yourself as a sinner?" she asked.

Dave said he did.

She explained who Jesus was and why He had come to earth, died, and was resurrected. As she spoke, and invited Dave to believe and turn his life over to God, Dave suddenly felt a heavy weight lift off his shoulders. Much to his own surprise, he prayed with her on the phone and turned his life over to God. He was now no longer in control, had moved over to the passenger seat and had a new Pilot. He finally knew the peace Norma had felt eight years earlier.

Dave and Norma went through counseling and were remarried once again. God opened up a tenderness for nursing homes in Dave's heart. Today he is a hospital chaplain and spends much of his time ministering to nursing home residents. His gentle spirit has endeared him to the lonely and forgotten. His ministry is every widening and his innovative ideas to minister spiritual life to his grateful audience is astounding. To learn more about this amazing ministry, see http://www.backyardmissions.net and see some of their videos at. http://www.backyardmissions.net/VIDEOS.html 

Dave and Norma Pagani will be sharing their remarkable story at a Conference, "Hope for a Hurting World" sponsored by Hospital Christian Fellowship, October 22-24, at Forest Home in Southern California. Doctors, nurses and other caregivers will be on the program as well. This conference is open to everyone and accredited for continuing education through the California Board of Registered Nurses. For more information visit www.HCFUSA.com or call Hospital Christian Fellowship at 949 496-7655. E-mail: HCFUSA@gmail.com.