“I shouldn’t be able to walk, talk, or see,” says Nathan. Several years ago, a tumor the size of a grapefruit was taken out of his skull. Immediately after the surgery, he felt better. His sight and hearing improved. Five days later, he walked out of the hospital on his own recognizance. Some might say it was a miraculous recovery.

And yet it wouldn’t be the only miraculous recovery Nathan would experience. Lacking work and still experiencing side effects from the surgery, Nathan fell deep ‘into the bottle’. He fell in so deep he couldn’t get out by himself.

Some friends put him in contact with the mission. Nathan states, “The mission took me in with open arms. They fed me, clothed me, and gave me a bed.” Nathan continues, “I had no clue where I was going in life. I was following my own ways and leaning on my own understanding.” It was leading to destruction.

Nathan has now experienced his second miraculous recovery. His walk is strong. His hearing leads to understanding. His sight is far beyond what he could have ever imagined.

What happened? What was the key to his second miraculous recovery? Nathan says, “These past nine months I’ve learned the reality of what the Lord Jesus Christ has done and will do. I’ve learned the mysteries of God. He isn’t to be questioned, he is to be trusted. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.”

Straight paths are now in order for Nathan. He has graduated the program and is putting his 20 years of culinary artist training to work, in the mission kitchen as an intern. He is looking for catering jobs as well. Getting rooted in his church is a high priority, but the best thing about his miraculous recovery is his attitude toward what he calls his “known affliction.” Nathan boasts, “Drinking was the way things were, if I went back to it, it would end my life. If any spirit is going in me, it will be a Holy One.”

Thinking of mission donors, Nathan gets emotional; He is so grateful. Nathan says, “What they’ve done for me, words cannot express. Thank you!” Thanks for giving to the mission and being a part of miraculous recoveries.