by Rev Leslie Lim, Pastor of International Christian Fellowship, Vietnam.
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4 (ESV)
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 (ESV)
This is truly a new year for me. On 23 January 2025, I underwent an angiogram and angioplasty performed by Prof Tan Huay Cheem. I am now recuperating at home—hence, a quiet Chinese New Year for me. No feasting! At 61, I am now officially part of the stent club, with two stents in my heart.
A Divine Intervention
My case was a divine intervention. One of my ICF members, Dr Linh, a local Vietnamese cardiologist, had recurring dreams in which God told her to look after her pastor’s heart. Dr Linh is a shy person, but the dreams kept coming, and she felt compelled to act. On 8 December 2024, after the Sunday service, she courageously approached me and said, “God told me to take care of my pastor’s heart.”
I tried to schedule an appointment at her hospital and managed to secure one three weeks later for a comprehensive health check, including a CT angiogram. She was relieved that she had obeyed the Lord because the results revealed two blockages in my main arteries—one at approximately 95% and the other at 80%.
She urgently arranged for a procedure at one of the top hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City, to be performed by a renowned cardiologist, her friend. She warned me, “If you don’t get this done as soon as possible, the next time you see me, you won’t be seeing me—you’ll be seeing Jesus.” She was very serious. Thank God for her connections; I could have had the procedure done in Vietnam before Chinese New Year. However, Linda strongly felt that I should undergo the procedure in Singapore in case of complications.
But securing a slot for such a procedure in Singapore on such short notice seemed nearly impossible. We took it as a sign from God: If I managed to get a slot in Singapore, I would go. That evening, although we didn’t personally know any cardiologists, we remembered that we knew a professor in A&E at NUH (a member of Fairfield Methodist Church). Linda called Prof S. Ooi in Singapore to explain my situation. Praise the Lord—she knew a cardiologist, Prof Tan, and said she would see what could be done.
God’s Perfect Timing
Long story short, I flew back on 20 January, consulted Prof Tan on the afternoon of 21 January, and underwent the procedure on the morning of 23 January. In the operating room, Prof Tan told me that one of my blockages was actually 98%! The other was not as severe. God had provided me with one of the best cardiologists in Singapore to care for me. The rest is history.
Looking Back
I realise I could have collapsed at any time during Christmas (or even earlier) or during Chinese New Year. I had no symptoms—no breathlessness. I also took a huge risk flying back to Singapore with a 90%-plus blockage. I could have collapsed mid-flight. Christmas 2024 could have been my last celebration on earth.
God Was Speaking to Me
One more thing: In the last quarter of 2024, the Lord kept impressing upon me the words of Psalm 51—“Create in me a clean heart.” I had been meditating on this passage during my time with Him. God was clearly speaking to me, but I wasn’t sharp enough to get the message. So, He used another of His children—Dr Linh, who isn’t someone particularly familiar with spiritual gifts or Pentecostal teachings—to reach me. Now, my heart is “strangely warmed”—by two stents!
May I continue to live life to the fullest and serve the Lord for many more years. Glory to the Lord! No regrets. I am ready to meet our Master and King. Let’s live a purposeful life for God and His Kingdom. What a wonderful and faithful God we serve.
May the Lord bless you and keep you. Shalom.
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Dear Ps Leslie, Thank you for sharing your testimony. I believe that God is doing a special work in protecting and preparing you for a greater mission ahead. Glad all went well, good to see you back in action in such a relatively short period of medical treatment. Take care. The joy of the Lord be your strength always. Shalom.