There’s a question we often hear from callers to our 3ABN Pastoral Department: “Why me?” they ask. “I’m a good Christian. Why am I having all this trouble? Why is God allowing this?”
It’s an honest question—one that often comes from sincere believers who love the Lord, attend church faithfully, and serve others. They’re not asking for pity; they’re trying to reconcile their pain with their faith.
As I listen, I feel their heartbreak and I know I must tread carefully. With compassion and prayer, I help them reframe their view without dismissing the reality of their suffering.
Being a child of God doesn’t guarantee smooth sailing in this world of sin. Jesus Himself warned, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). In fact, some of the most faithful Christians I know suffer the deepest trials. They don’t ask, “Why me?” because they understand something powerful: the battle is fiercest on the front lines, and Satan targets those most committed to God’s cause. But praise God, Jesus has already rendered Satan’s power null and void.
Let me tell you a story of two people who live this truth daily—John and Idalia Dinzey.
John has worked at 3ABN since 1989 and currently serves as 3ABN Latino Network General Manager. His wife Idalia is his administrative assistant and the producer of that network’s flagship program, 3ABN Hoy (3ABN Today). Together, they are a dynamic ministry team, passionate about proclaiming the gospel throughout the Americas. Their lives are a continuous offering of service, sacrifice, and joy in the Lord.
Years ago, during an evangelistic series in Mexico City, Idalia was hospitalized with multiple pulmonary emboli—blood clots in her lungs. Doctors discovered she had a partially collapsed lung as one of the lingering results from a near-fatal car accident years ago. This condition predisposed her to developing blood clots, and the high altitude (Mexico City is 7,350 feet above sea level) made her condition life-threatening. She was discharged with a sobering warning: “Never travel to altitudes over 5,000 feet without a portable oxygen concentrator, because without it, you might die.”
Now fast forward to 2025. For at least eight years, John and Idalia received invitations to speak at a major evangelistic outreach in Totonicapán, Guatemala. But each year, they were already committed elsewhere—until now.
“We were especially excited,” Idalia shared, “because the invitation came from a brand-new church plant. A team of 14 committed Seventh-day Adventist believers had been praying fervently that we would come, and we felt strongly that God wanted us to support their effort.”
When she asked the local coordinator about the location’s altitude, he said, “2,400,” so satisfied that it was under 5,000 feet, Idalia didn’t bring her oxygen concentrator. However, the coordinator was speaking of meters, not feet. And 2,400 meters equals 7,874 feet!
The Dinzeys landed in Guatemala City, which sits at the altitude of 4,921 feet. Idalia felt fine, but as they began their three-and-a-half-hour drive into the mountains toward Totonicapán, the air became thinner.
“It wasn’t long before I was in serious trouble,” Idalia recalls. “My chest was tight, my head was pounding, and my eyes felt like they were bulging. I had to keep them closed. I told Johnny I was feeling weak, so he checked the elevation on his phone. 7,000 feet! As the car climbed to 9,200 feet, Idalia was in silent panic.
Their driver recognized the danger and began calling around to locate an oxygen tank, but it was already late afternoon, and nothing was available. They continued on to Totonicapán, elevation 8,186 feet, and when they arrived, Idalia checked her oxygen levels—73 percent! Her oximeter flashed the warning: “Lack of oxygen—high risk for blood clots.”
The team of 14 believers gathered around her and prayed earnestly, but Idalia, who’s normally full of life, was barely able to walk. That night was long, but by the next morning, Idalia was resting quietly.
And then the crisis came.
“Suddenly, I had extreme chest pain,” she says. “I felt like I was having a heart attack. I felt life fading from my body, and I knew I could only cry out once. Should I call Johnny, or Jesus?”
With the last of her strength, she cried in a whisper to the only One who could save her.
“Lord, we’re here for Your glory. We came to support the preaching of the gospel. This team has prayed every day for a year, and they’ve sacrificed for this event. Please don’t let me be a distraction. Please don’t let me die. Don’t let Satan steal the focus. Save me, Lord!”
As soon as she finished praying, a deep, forceful cough brought up a blood clot!
“Instantly, I felt the pressure lift,” she says. “I could breathe! I started shouting, ‘Thank You, Lord! This is Your affirmation that You’re in control! We’re meant to be here!’”
John rushed in to find his wife crying and praising the Lord.
“Jesus! Jesus! I worship You! I praise You for Your power and love!” she wept.
They knew it was a miracle.
Later that morning, around 10:30, an oxygen concentrator finally arrived, and for the next few nights, Idalia faithfully attended the meetings, wheeling around the heavy unit and sharing in the joy of the outreach. No one knew the full extent of her condition.
It wasn’t until the final day—during an afternoon of praise and thanksgiving in the auditorium where the series was held—that she shared her testimony. With an oxygen level that had reached 88 percent, she stood before the crowd and gave glory to God—and the response was electric.
“The team was astonished,” she said. “They had seen the Lord bless this outreach in powerful ways. The governor of the region had attended. People were responding to the gospel. But this miracle showed them that God had heard their prayers—and had preserved my life so His Word could go forward.”
Through Idalia’s suffering, God revealed His glory. Through her fragility, He displayed His strength.
You will never hear John or Idalia ask, “Why me?” They understand the battle. They know that serving God doesn’t shield you from trials—it may even draw them. But they also know the One whose Name is above all names.
Idalia could have cried out for help from anyone. But in her moment of deepest need, she called on Jesus.
And Jesus answered.
