Declaration about Truth- Grant Mettler's testimony

Rain was born at 8pm on the 14th of March 2012 by means of an emergency C-section. He weighed in at 2.8kg and measured 49cm.

Hello Rain!!

The events that led up to that proud and exciting moment was less than exhilarating, for it was much more terrifying and overwhelming than anything I ever had to go through.

On the eve of the 13th my wife, Alexis, started experiencing uncomfortable abdominal cramps which we thought was just normal Braxton and Hicks cramps until it just became too unbearable for her and we decided to call our midwife, Mariana, at 4am.

She was more than accommodating being the person that she is and told us to come see her immediately. We drove through and by the time we got to her surgery, the pain was intolerable and Lex could hardly move let alone get out of the car. We painstakingly made our way into her surgery where Lex laid down on the bed and Mariana examined her to see if she was in pre-term labour as she was only 34 weeks. She was confounded as everything, in terms of the pregnancy, was still as it should be yet the excruciating pain remained and the cause was still unknown. Mariana then proceeded to call her gynaecologist friend, Dr. Carolisen, who was on call at Medi-City Paarl for a more in depth look at what the problem could be. We met the doctor at 8am and after scrutinizing Lex he deduced that because of Alexis’ very tender abdomen that she might have some kind of abdominal infection. He referred us to Paarl hospital for further examination.

Who?

Upon arrival at the hospital at 9am the pain Lex had was so severe that I had to push her in a wheelchair all the way from the parking area to the maternity ward on the second floor. It was a while before we saw any doctors and to see my wife in such agony was unbearable to say the least. After more time ticked away Dr. Fourie came and examined Alexis on direction from Dr. Carolisen. Her prognosis was appendicitis. From there numerous doctors came and examined Lex to more precisely determine the cause of her distress, which was a bit disconcerting, so I started to send out prayer requests to family and friends alike. I also prayed for healing and laid hands on Alexis but the pain did not diminish. I felt that this was a test to trust the Lord because I have prayed for healing for people before and God answered my prayers immediately.

As in the case of my eldest son, Joel, who dislocated his shoulder when he fell, as we were walking in Cape Gate mall. We became panic stricken when I stood him up and saw his arm just dangling at his side made worse by his uncontrollable crying. We rushed out to find the closest doctor who by that time was probably closed as it was after hours. Only option was Kuilsrivier Netcare. I was driving and Lex was in the backseat comforting Joel. We both started to pray and laid hands on Joel and petitioned that by Jesus’ stripes he was healed and thanked Him in advance for the miracle. We got out of the car; he was still in tremendous pain as we carried him to the emergency room. I put him down in front of the nurse so she could do a triage and that’s when he ran back to me with both arms stretched out for fear that the nurse was going to touch him.   He was completely healed. All we could do was praise Jesus as we walked out with the nurse standing and looking all flabbergasted probably thinking we were just overzealous paranoid parents. We knew better….

Face palm....

It was about 3pm when Dr. Fourie confirmed it to be appendicitis. This was a relief in the sense that ‘we’ meaning family and friends now knew what to pray for. For Jesus to heal her appendix, for that insufferable pain that Lex has been experiencing whole day to subside so that we could go home and rest. Nothing happened….. More Pain…

I told my mother that it seems like there is something amiss or that maybe God wants to show us something. We continued praying. Later Dr. Nole informed us that they will proceed to do surgery to remove her appendix but that the preparation for surgery and the team required could only be assembled for 7pm. Dr. Nole started off explaining the procedure simple enough but then his words took a turn, for me at least, when he stated that there’s a possibilty that Rain might have to be removed inter-operation, prematurely, meaning there’s a chance that his lungs might not be fully developed, AND also, in the worst case-scenario if anything should happen that they would choose to save Lex’s life over Rain’s.

His words were like a fist to my stomach that left me winded…. The gravity of the situation hit me. Tears just streamed down my face as I looked at Lex. I thought to myself that these things never happen to us… Was I dreaming? What’s the name of this movie?

Fear, Anguish, Panic and a whole host of weapons formed against us; I felt the attack as real and solid like a net flung over my body, pulling me down; like arrows hitting the mark, sinking deep into my heart. Lex suddenly had a panic attack and started pulling off the heart monitors, sensors and breathing tubes and I felt so helpless myself as I tried to subdue her. Yet as sudden as the panic attack came over her it left and I saw her eyes as clear and bright as crystal the likes of which I had not seen and she was looking at me as if to say; why do you fear?

I immediately prayed Isaiah 54:17 "No weapon formed against us shall prosper." and also Isaiah 41:10 "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness."

 I felt strength surging up in me when they wheeled Lex to the operating theatre, but nothing matched the fearlessness and peace on Lex’s face at that moment and she told me later that the peace she felt, you know, that peace that surpasses all understanding, came upon her as she muttered the verse Phil 4:6 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God”.

As the family gathered in the waiting room I was glad to see them and to see my eldest, Joel. I held him tightly in my arms. I was glad that the people I have surrounded myself with of late, those that were in the waiting room with me and those at home were praying people. Prayer warriors full of faith. I did not feel the wait. His grace is sufficient!

About an hour went by when I heard a baby cry. Being on the first floor now where the operating rooms are, it could only mean one thing. That was our Rain… that was our Abundant Blessings From Above.

Picking up weight...

It would be another hour or more before the surgeon came to speak to me wearing his scrubs. He told me that the operation was a success. Lex’s ruptured appendix had been removed and her bowels and abdomen were cleaned up from the puss that leaked. He proceeded to tell me that it was during this process, with all the intestines on the outside, that they discovered a black growth on the outside of Lex’s colon. They removed it decisively.

This, as I told my mother, was what God wanted to show us. The growth on Lex’s colon would not have been found if God answered our prayers to heal her appendix; to take away the pain. I dread to think what might have happened.

A few moments later Lex was wheeled back to the maternity ward and I was allowed to see her for a few and give her a kiss goodnight although she does not remember because she was still under the effects of the anaesthesia. Rain also only spent about an hour in the incubator since he was big and strong and healthy enough to lie next to his mommy.

Happy Chappies

Glory be to God for carrying us through that ordeal.

His infinite power, wisdom, loving kindness and omniscience is unfathomable. Just when you think He does not answer your prayers; He goes above and beyond what you can ask for or imagine, even when your trust wanes now and again, He will never leave you nor forsake you.

Not because of what you’ve done, but because of who He is and He is faithful….even when you are not.

This is our testimony; this is our song, praising my Saviour all the day long.