Dave Matos, 30, knows what it is like to be faced with a life threatening illness. He has experienced it, and he sees it every day. He is a chaplain in the city of Lakewood. Every day he sees people with cardiac problems, chronic depression, insomnia, and other sicknesses. Many of them have given up all hope of ever getting better. That's when Dave comes in, because he knows that there is a way. He knows the healing power of Jesus.

Dave has been a missionary to many countries. He has traveled to Guatemala, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, The Honduras, and Mexico. On one particular trip to Mexico, despite the precautions that were taken, Dave got a parasite from the bathing water. The parasite began to eat away at his liver. He lost 80 lbs. in just one year. Because parasites are not a common occurrence in the United States, doctors were unable to help him. Dave didn't know what to do. One night, an evangelist talked to Dave and told him that the parasites would leave his liver in three
days. Three days later he was free of his yearlong condition.

As if that wasn't enough, a more serious problem developed. Dave began experiencing bad earaches, and migraine headaches. At the time, he was attending Bible College, but the pain often interfered with his studies. He went to the doctor where he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. For two years he suffered from severe pain. Once again, however, while at an evangelist meeting, he was miraculously healed.

While at Bible College, Dave met his future wife, Dana. Dana was no stranger to sickness. At age 16, she had cancer. Not even cancer was too big for God, and through prayers, she was healed. While in the hospital, however, she was accidentally given an overdose of Codeine. None of the doctors expected her to survive, but Jesus healed her. One of her doctors was an atheist, but after seeing the miracle that God had done, he accepted Jesus into his heart.

The Matos' were about to have their second child. Three months into the pregnancy, however, her water broke prematurely. Doctors said that Dana would have a miscarriage. The doctors told her it would come out, and that it would be dead. Instead of accepting the loss of their child, they prayed. Doctors were amazed when they found that the water had miraculously resealed. The baby was fine.

"When the enemy tries to come against us with sickness and illnesses, and trials and tribulations, God can turn it around for his glory," says Dave.

As a chaplain, Dave is in a unique position to minister to those that are hurting. His life experiences have given him compassion for the suffering. When Dave prays for people it is not just a series of motions that he goes through. When he prays for people, he means it, and he expects Jesus to come through. The Bible says in James 5:14-15, "Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven." Just a tiny bit of faith is all that is required to see miracles happen. Dave has seen miracle after miracle happen in his life and the life of many others. He truly believes in the power of God, and through his faith, others have been healed.

When all seemed lost, and they were in dire need, the Matos' turned to Jesus. He died for our sins, and was beaten so that we might be healed. Satan is out to destroy our lives, but there is a higher power than satan. That power is Jesus. When doctors say there is no hope, we should get a second opinion. We should ask Jesus because he will set us free.