Our God is a mighty fortress – God tests family through the cancer diagnosis of two of their children

Podcast: Download (Duration: 12:34 — 8.7MB)

Does our faith break down in difficult times – or does it strengthen precisely then? What happens when not only is a child born with a congenital disability, but two other children also develop cancer?

A married couple recounts how they experienced such an exceptional situation.

Two diagnoses and immediate treatment measures

Our son Julian was a lively boy – full of life and energy. In 2017, he started school at the age of seven. After the first week of school, he suddenly developed a severe cough. Since there was no improvement, the pediatrician referred us to the hospital to have Julian's lungs x-rayed. During the preliminary examination, the doctors noticed that he wasn't getting enough air. An ultrasound was performed immediately.

A seven-centimeter tumor was discovered between the lung and heart. It was pressing on the left lung, causing fluid to accumulate in the chest. Julian was immediately transferred by ambulance to the intensive care unit in Chemnitz.

That evening, the head physician informed us that acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) had also been diagnosed. The number of certain cells in the blood was extremely elevated and continued to rise rapidly. Immediate surgery was necessary to remove the fluid from the breast. Chemotherapy was started at the same time.

The next day, Julian was placed in an induced coma – otherwise, he wouldn't have survived the necessary procedures. Now the fight for his life began. The doctors gave him 48 hours. If he survived that long, he would be out of the woods.

There lay Julian – unrecognizable. Swollen like a balloon, connected to countless tubes, and unresponsive. We cried out to our Lord and prayed at his bedside. Often we were at a loss for words. But then Julian's favorite hymn came to mind: "Praise the Lord, my soul, praise the Lord, my soul."

As we sang this song, tears streamed down my face as a father. The third verse says: "For He redeems you from destruction, crowns you with His mercy."

After ten days, Julian was brought out of his coma. We waited anxiously to finally be able to look into his eyes again. He opened them, but seemed very apathetic. His blood had thickened so much due to the illness that parts of his brain were no longer receiving sufficient blood flow. The result: permanent damage. He couldn't speak, seemed unable to perceive anything with his eyes, and showed no reaction whatsoever – apart from his smile.

First answered prayers

One evening, as we were getting Julian ready for bed, we took him on our lap and sang his favorite song, as usual. During the fourth verse, Julian suddenly joined in softly. Our hearts filled with gratitude and praise for our Lord.

The treatment lasted over 13 months. During this time, my wife Larissa was mostly alone at home – with eight other children. But even then, we were able to experience God's wonderful blessing. Every evening, when it seemed as if her worries would overwhelm her, she brought them before the Lord in prayer, tears streaming down her face. And each time, she was able to experience anew His love, His comfort, and the fullness of the Holy Spirit.

Several brothers came to the hospital to pray for Julian with the anointing of oil. We remember one prayer particularly well: Some brothers who were passing through spontaneously visited us to pray for Julian with us. The next morning, we started taking him to walk again, as usual. And to everyone's amazement, his legs no longer buckled—they remained firm. He took his first steps and walked all the way to the nurses' station, where everyone joyfully welcomed him.

After eight months of chemotherapy, the treatment reached a critical point. A fungus had formed in the tumor, and the left lung had already collapsed. Chemotherapy could no longer be continued. After much deliberation, despite the high risk, the decision was made to operate, and the procedure was performed at the University Hospital in Dresden in early May 2018.

The tumor and about two-thirds of the left lung were to be removed. Despite the severity of the procedure, Julian was able to return to the oncology ward in Chemnitz after just nine days.

Incredibly, he walked up the stairs to the second floor all by himself – without any help. He proudly showed the nurses and doctors his lung exercises. We were filled with new hope. Just two more rounds of chemotherapy – then the treatment should be finished.

Re-diagnosis and further answered prayers

After a few days, a senior physician brought us the results of the tumor tissue examination. Tuberculosis was detected. The doctors were baffled and initially didn't know how to proceed with the treatment. Since no one entered the room on the acute ward without a valid reason, we were able to pray undisturbed. I was amazed at how the Holy Spirit praised the Lord within me and comforted us—right in the middle of a situation that was almost unbearable.

Despite the strong medication Julian was given, he was doing very well, much to the doctors' surprise. After two weeks, the treatment was finally discontinued, as several tests showed no further evidence of tuberculosis. The Lord revealed His gracious hand in this as well.

We were allowed to learn to trust Him even in the most difficult times – and to recognize in faith that His ways are good. “Many will be sifted, purified, and cleaned; but the wicked will remain wicked, and no wicked person will understand, but those who are wise will understand” (Dan 12:10).

Through God's grace, we were able to overcome this difficult time as a family and experience His love and care anew. In September 2018, the treatment was successfully completed – and our faith and trust in the Lord were richly strengthened by this cleansing trial.

The Lord is testing us for the second time

But the Lord revealed that He would test our faith once more. This time, my wife had to take our son Levi to the hospital – and I stayed home with the other eleven children.

In 2021, our twelfth child, Levi—then eight months old—was diagnosed with a large tumor on his neck. Once again, we were faced with the same doctors and nurses who had cared for Julian years before. The diagnosis came as a shock. Since Levi was still being breastfed, I, Larissa, stayed with him in the hospital. This time was very difficult for me. I worried about my husband, the children—and everything that lay ahead.

Even before the diagnosis, we had prayed for Levi with anointing with oil. In one moment of prayer, the Lord spoke to me through prophecy and said I had no faith. At first, I couldn't understand this—because I knew that our Lord could heal. But when I humbled myself and placed myself under God's care, I heard a voice that spoke to me in essence: "My child, don't you believe that I can find someone who can support your family and care for Joshua (our son with Down syndrome)?"

I understood – and answered: “Yes, Lord, I know You can find someone to support us. Yes, I believe You will send someone to care for us during the time I cannot be there.” At that moment, I felt the Lord lift me up. I could breathe freely again.

The Lord gave me a vision: I saw a light-filled path that made two bends. And I heard a voice say, “Go—and I will be with you.” Great joy filled me—and it was the last evening I cried because of Levi’s illness. From that moment on, we were able to witness the Lord accomplishing His work in our family.

God provides for us

Shortly thereafter, the Lord sent us an unrepentant woman whom we took in for a few days in her time of need. Through God's grace, she came to realize that she needed Jesus – and to everyone's great joy, she surrendered her life to Him. During this challenging time, this woman became like a mother to me: lovingly and attentively, she cared for our children.

But that's not all—the Lord also brought a young girl into our house. With great devotion and warmth, she cared for our Joshua. And many more people came to us whom the Lord used to accomplish His work in us. Our God is great—and He faithfully and well cares for His children.

God hears this time too.

The doctors allowed us to take a few days off. So my husband and I went to the youth retreat. While Levi slept, I thoroughly enjoyed the time we spent praying with the youth. Another prayer with anointing of Levi was said. In a vision, the Lord showed:

"Water is set in motion – Bethesda!"

How much I was strengthened and edified by this vision! I rejoiced with all my heart that the Lord visited us—and wanted to bring healing. Yes, I was overjoyed and deeply grateful.

After the second round of chemotherapy, we watched as the tumor gradually shrank. The doctors said, "We're stopping the chemotherapy and giving the child three months." And indeed, after three months, most of the tumor had disappeared.

Through all these trials, God has strengthened our family. He has guided us wonderfully – and for that we are eternally grateful to Him. Through His grace, we were able to recognize His hand in the midst of the most difficult times – and to become a witness to many people.

Today, two pictures hang in the pediatric oncology ward: one of Julian and one of Levi. The first bears Psalm 23 – the second the words of encouragement: “Your hand has carried me.”

Willi & Larissa Schöck

Municipality of Chemnitz