Play Wayne Wilson
Wayne Wilson’s Presentation at First Baptist Church Regina – March 10, 2013
It was one year this coming Friday that I went to the emergency at the General Hospital with what I thought was a bad chest cold. When I went into the emergency area I was very surprised to see that there were no other people in the area, no other patients being treated. It was 6 o’clock in the morning.
I was immediately taken to an examination room where I was met by five nurses and a doctor. 
Within the first two hours they started what was to be two blood transfusions, intravenous, and a chest X-ray.
A few minutes after the chest X-ray was taken, another doctor and three resident doctors returned. They showed me the chest X-ray, which might as well have been a map of downtown Beirut, because I had no idea what I was looking at.
He said that he had some very bad news — that the X-ray showed that I had advanced lung cancer.
During the next few minutes he asked me if I had any prior warning? No.
Did I have all my affairs in order? No.
Did I have a living will? I didn’t even know what that was.
I had a sense of Christ being very near. I was not frightened or upset. When the medical staff left I began to pray to God and ask him to give me strength for the remainder of the day and for the days ahead, and to keep me as calm as possible. I believe that God answered my prayer, as I immediately felt a sense of relief and peace.
A resident doctor returned to talk to me about getting my affairs in order. He seemed very nervous and was determined that I get my living will prepared, and who should be contacted in my family. He seemed very nervous and uncertain as to how he should proceed with our meeting.
It gave me a wonderful opportunity to share my faith. That seemed to make him even more confused.
I asked him if he could contact Rev. John Nelson at First Baptist Church, but that didn’t happen until the next morning when an agency from the hospital contacted John. Poor John had no idea why I wanted to see him at the emergency at the hospital. I think it was a bit of a shock when I told him what the doctors had discovered.
John and Erin Angus began immediately tracking down some friends who could then contact my family. Again I believe God was at work in my life as everyone who needed to be contacted was done so very quickly. I want to thank John and Erin for making these initial contacts contacts, and for their many visits during the three times I was in the hospital. It meant so much — it really did.
It wasn’t long before I began receiving cards and letters of encouragement from this congregation. I believe that God was at work helping me to see the true value and importance of a close congregation — and this is truly one.
During my third time in the hospital a fire occurred at my apartment block. Extensive water damage required that all my belongings be moved so that cleanup could occur.
Again, John Nelson and Erin Angus came to the rescue. They helped organize a wonderful group of people from this congregation to help my family with moving my belongings into storage. And thank you to all those wonderful people who helped with the move. It occurred during the hottest and most humid part of the summer.
But now I was homeless. Again I turned to God for guidance and direction.
Again God worked through John and Erin and others at First Baptist Church. They helped me secure an apartment at First Baptist Place where I now very happily live.
Many things have occurred over the last few months that I know God has been at work in my life. The chemotherapy which was supposed to eradicate the cancer, was not working. But I felt God’s presence and wonderful peace when the decision was made to stop all treatment.
Last week during a routine visit to my family doctor, he stated that my lungs were clear.
On Wednesday of this week the nurse from Medigas, my oxygen supplier, said that my lungs were clear and there was no evidence of any congestion. I was so thankful to God.
When I was in the hospital God worked through Mark and Joel. They always brought words of comfort and peace, especially when I asked God for these things if I was having a bad day or a bad week. Their visits were always perfect timing. Thank you.
Every Sunday morning your words of encouragement and support are very strong evidence of God’s love and understanding and his work through you.
Thank you all so much for your visits in the hospital, for those who prayed for me and continue to pray for me, and for those who brought food to my home, and for your words of encouragement and support each Sunday morning during the past year.
God is truly at work in the lives of this congregation. First Baptist Church is truly a place to belong.
God Bless you . . . and thank you.