Testimony from Jeffrey Tan

JEFFREY TAN’S TESTIMONY

I would like to share a personal experience of our Lord’s love for me with regard to the cataract surgery I had on 5 Jan 2021 at the National Eye Centre (SNEC). Before I go into the details, please allow me to share the background of my eyesight problem.

I was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) on both eyes in 1970. In 1990, I developed cataract on both eyes. I had cataract surgery on my left eye but it was not successful. Then the vision of my right eye deteriorated over the years. Fearing failure, I did not go for cataract surgery on my right eye. Over the years, the condition of my right eye worsened until I was left with only about 5% of vision as of last year.

Now, I will share the blessings God bestowed upon me. As SNEC was closed to new admittance during the Covid-19 period, I was referred to Ng Teng Fong Hospital. The eye surgeon who saw me at NTFH diagnosed that besides RP and cataract, the ligaments that held my lens were wobbly and this might further complicate the surgery. Due to the advanced stage of cataract over my right eye, he could not clearly diagnose the condition of RP and thus, he was not in favour of surgery. However, at my insistence, he finally relented and an appointment for surgery was made.

When I came home I prayed to the Lord for affirmation regarding the surgery, by asking that He let me see a set of figures: ‘1 1 (2 X)’ if He was agreeable, and the words ‘no’ if not agreeable. I waited but did not hear anything from Him. My son-in-law called and asked why I chose NTFH and not SNEC. On his cue, my wife called SNEC the following day to enquire. The staff replied that they had resumed acceptance of new patients starting on that very day! I quickly requested NTFH to refer my case to SNEC.

I started consultation at SNEC and surgery was scheduled for 5 Jan 2021. The surgeon pointed out that while she could remove the dense cataract, she could not promise vision recovery because of the underlying RP. I had asked for the Lord’s anointing and empowerment on the team of doctors for successful surgery. Two nights later I had a dream in which I was told to take bus services 139 and 122. I was not sure if that was the Lord’s affirmation for me, as there was a set of ‘1s’ in both numbers. Two days later, I woke up at about 5 am suddenly and saw a vision of the numbers ‘319 146’. I immediately woke my wife to write the numbers down somewhere so I might not forget. Then I believe our Lord had given me the go-ahead for the surgery. I felt calm and peaceful on the day of surgery although my wife said the surgery took more than 2 hours. Thanks be to God that after the surgery, I regained about 60% of vision on my right eye.

I am thankful for the Lord’s promises to me. I always recite Proverb 3: 5-6 in my daily prayer: “Trust the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight”.

I pray my testimony will encourage all of you.