"Oh, Everyone who Thirsts, Come to the Waters"

I was suffering from occasional bouts of severe stomach pain for the last several years. In 1976, it was diagnosed as the beginning of an ulcer. As mine was a transferable job,over the years, I was transferred to different states in India and also aboard. In all these places. I consulted doctors and continued medical treatment. In 1992, I underwent a medical check up at Apollo Hospital, Madras and it was then confirmed that I was suffering from duodenal ulcer. The treatment continued without much success. Even a slight change in my diet would cause pain and problems to me.

In March 1996, I attended an Inner Healing retreat at Potta. During the retreat God gave me grace to forgive and I could forgive and seek forgiveness from a number of persons who had offended me and who had been offended by me. When I realized how much God loved me, all my anger and hatred against others gave way in the form of tears. The more I cried, the more happy I became inwardly. On the penultimate day of the retreat, I could experience God's healing touch on me. Father Mathew Eluvunkal announced that some body's ulcer had been healed.

Although I was sure that it was mine, I hesitated. Then suddenly I could hear his command, "Come on, it is you, get up." Then nothing could stop me from jumping to my feet and praising God!.

Thereafter, till this time I have never been troubled by that nagging ulcer pain. Praise the Lord. God has been showering millions of blessings on me and my family members. Today I serve as a counselor at the Divine Retreat Centre at Muringoor. In addition, I do whatever I can to spread the message of God.

Praise the Lord!

Raphael C Konikkara
"Prabhat" IX/181/1
Mission Quarters, Trichur-680001.