Louis & Debbie Noriega - "Sustained In Suffering"

In June of 2006, Louie and Debbie Noriega received the news that would forever change their lives. Louie was diagnosed with stage 4 terminal cancer and given 6 months to live. Facing the reality that he would not see Christmas that year, Debbie and Louie felt devastated and desperate, not knowing where to turn.

Though calling themselves Christians, their lifestyles reflected differently and their faith was not in action. Many questions swirled around them as they asked God why this was happening to them.

One day they were driving by Calvary Tucson and decided to park and come in, praying for God to direct them. Inside, they asked to talk to a pastor and Pastor Jonathan Alameda met and prayed with them. The Noreiga’s made a decision to attend services here. That same week, Louie gave his life to the Lord, receiving His gift of salvation through Jesus which Louie describes as “an awesome awesome miracle!” Truly, a new life in Him is one of His greatest miracles!

As they continued to come and listen to the Word of God being taught, they felt the Lord speaking to them and their lives began to transform. Surrendering their will to His, they experienced a greater depth in their relationship with Christ, as they began to depend on Him more and more, knowing that they could not walk this journey alone. With the assurance of Christ’s abiding presence, Debbie and Louie learned that they could take every concern to Jesus and trust Him with it. As they did, they saw His mighty hand at work in their lives.

In December 2006, six months after the initial diagnosis and chemotherapy, Louie returned to the doctor and testing showed that the tumors were gone. The doctor was?amazed and said. ”I can’t explain this “. Debbie said, “I can…God”. The doctor mocked, “Yeah, right…God”. Debbie responded affirmatively saying emphatically, “Yeah,… right ...God”! The Noriega’s rejoiced in God and His healing touch through this time of trial.

This wasn’t the first difficult season the Noriega’s experienced. In October of 1992, their 16 year old son Christopher passed away. Though words fail to describe the pain that is involved in losing a child, Debbie and Louie find peace knowing that Christopher is with the Lord. As Debbie puts it, Christopher knew and loved the Lord with his whole heart and put Him above everything else. His faithful life was instrumental in bringing His parents to the cross.Now, Debbie confidently states, ”Whether we stand before Him on earth (as Louie is) or in heaven (as Christopher is), we stand before Him and we serve Him.”

Several months after Louie was given a clean bill of health, the tumors returned. Louie’s faith was steadfast, drawing strength from God’s words to Paul the apostle, “My grace is sufficient for you.” After a couple of rounds of failed chemotherapy, Louie read in the newspaper about a new experimental cancer drug that was having successful results in reducing tumors.

They discovered that only 4% of the population that had Louie’s form of cancer would be eligible for trial studies with the new drug. Louie was accepted for the study, which the Noriega’s again attribute to God’s hand of grace.

God’s undeniable presence and provision in Debbie and Louie’s life has not only encouraged them personally, but has influenced others as well. Debbie’s best friend’s?husband received Christ as a result of seeing what God had done in their lives and others who are going through difficulties have been encouraged by God’s faithfulness to them.

Louie says this experience has been a wake-up call for them and they look for opportunities to share the gospel with whoever the Lord allows them to, knowing and stating that “none of us know the hour when Jesus is going to come and say ‘are you ready? Are you ready to go?’ Have you served Him? Have you lived for Him? Because everything else is just rubbish.” Louie looks to the example of Jesus upon the cross for inspiration Who, even in the midst of intense suffering, still reached out and shared the gospel and saved the thief on the cross.

Today, Debbie and Louie say that they make it their aim to come to the foot of the cross daily, putting their trust in God and the Son, He sent. They have experienced an emptying of themselves which has led to fullness of life as He has filled their hearts to overflowing. Instead of asking God why He allowed this in their life, the intimacy with Christ they have experienced has caused them to instead humbly wonder, why God choose them to bestow His abundant blessings on! They have shared in the fellowship of His sufferings and truly knowing Him as a result, has been worth every minute.

What does the future hold for Louie Noriega? Louie says, “What is the prognosis and where am I going to go from here? Well, the prognosis is eternal life.”

The Noreiga’s agreed to share their story with us and we taped the video you see here October 31st 2010. Shortly after the taping, testing revealed that Louie’s’ cancer had returned. After a valiant struggle, Louie went to be with the Lord on January 9th, 2011. Louie leaves us inspired to trust God in the good times and bad, knowing ultimately our times are in His hands and He can use all our experiences for His glory. He is love. He is good. Louie exemplified this and for that we are so very grateful.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” .2 Timothy 4:7