Nikola Novakovic

It started in August 2017 when I was 34 years old. I began experiencing pain in the abdomen, blood in my stool, and other symptoms. I went to my doctor every week for 3 months. Finally, a colonoscopy was ordered, which I had on November 10th, 2017.

The doctor told me I had a metastatic bowel tumor that must be operated on immediately. At 34 years old, I was told I have bowel cancer. It hit me hard. I am married, and I have four children, the youngest being 5 at the time. All that was going through my mind was that my family would see me wither away and die from bowel cancer, something I personally couldn’t stomach.

It was devastating news for my young family. As a Christian, I knew I had to turn to God; if I was to have any hope of survival, I had to turn to God, I had to have a talk with God, my creator… So the first thing that came to my mind was to go to the nearest mountain and pray. For me, mountains are holy, from Moses on Mount Sinai, Elijah on Mount Carmel and Mount Hermon, to Jesus on the Mount of Olives or the Ark resting on Mount Ararat.

On November 10th, the night after my colonoscopy, I decided to drive to a mountain near me at midnight. I drove near the top, parked my car, and walked the rest of the way. I didn’t have a torch; it was pitch black, and the very top was only 300 meters from my car.

When I got to the top, I was very emotional and got down on my knees and poured out my heart to God. I asked God to save me. In my heart, I knew that God is good and can do no wrong and that no evil exists in Him whatsoever. So, knowing that, I asked God to save me, knowing that whatever happens, whether I live or die, that decision will be in God’s hands. I knew that if I died, then ultimately something good would come from it, and if I survived, the same thing would happen. It will all ultimately be for good.

I prayed for about half an hour. I asked for another 10 years to be with my family, as I couldn’t bear the thought of losing them or having them see me deteriorate into nothing. I made it very clear to God that I trusted Him, as He is good, and that whatever decision He makes will ultimately be a good one, because it is His will, not mine. I decided to fully put my life in God’s hands.

I had no control over my life at this point. Whatever happened, I will always love my God till the day I die. I finished my prayer and was hoping to hear God’s voice after pouring out my heart, but I heard nothing. I saw nothing; there was nothing. But I knew deep down that He heard me, and that’s all that mattered.

I left the top of the mountain and started walking back to my car. After about five minutes of walking down the mountain, I realised I was going the wrong way. It was dark, and I had no light at all, so I decided that before I got lost on the mountain, I must go back to the top, which I did. I saw another path, which led me to my car, and I went home to sleep.

That night was restless for me; I couldn’t really sleep at all. The next morning, I decided to go back to the mountain where I had prayed the night before. I was curious as to where I was and what it looked like up there during the day, as I had never been on that peak before.

So, I went and parked my car in the same spot, I walked up the same path, and reached the exact spot where I prayed. I noticed that I wasn’t at the top - the top of the mountain was actually 200 meters away, and the top was only slightly taller than the spot where I was standing. When I looked across at the top of the mountain from my position, I could see a tree at the very top, and that tree was in the exact shape of a cross. I could see it as clear as day.

There was a literal cross of Jesus Christ, so I took a photo from about 200 meters away. Straight away, a peace came upon me, a peace that I cannot describe, a peace beyond all understanding. I had never felt such peace in my life. I knew God heard me, and that he wanted to show me that he heard me.

God answered me in my desperation in less than 24 hours and in a way I never expected. I knew that instant that everything was going to be ok. I prayed again, putting full faith in God, full trust that He has it all under control.

I had surgery on November 27th, 2017, to remove the tumour. However, before the surgery, my surgeon told me that he was going to remove my entire length of bowel, which would leave me on medication for the remainder of my life. This was something I didn’t want. So against the wishes of two surgeons, I rejected having all my bowel removed. I just wanted the tumour removed from the bowel.

My wishes were respected, and my surgeon cut 15cm of large bowel, leaving me with the remaining 85cm, give or take. My surgeon gave me the results 5 days after surgery as to whether the tumour had released cancer cells into my lymphatic system, but the results came back perfect. No cancer in my lymphatic system, and they were confident that they had removed the bowel tumor completely.

After seeing the Bible next to my bed, my surgeon said, "I can only do so much as a surgeon. I believe God saved you." Today, 8 years later, I never had chemotherapy, I’m not on any medications, and I am cancer-free thanks to the grace and mercy of our Father in heaven.

All glory to Jesus Christ for allowing me to come to the Father. God is real, Jesus is alive, and they hear your prayers.

I didn’t see Muhammad on top of the mountain, or a Hindu God, or any God, but I saw a sign of the one true God, and it gave peace beyond all understanding. I hope this testimony encourages you, because God is there and He listens, even when you don’t think He hears you. Let me assure you, He hears every word. He is completely holy and good, and no evil can ever be found in Him. He will hold you in His hands no matter what you are going through. He will be there right beside you.

Stay strong in faith, do not give an inch away, soldiers of Christ. The photo provided is what I saw the night after I prayed. All glory to God forever and ever.