Written by: Niki Sarafidis
Article source: Supplied
How often do we ask the question, “Lord, how could you let this happen?” This is a story that will renew your belief that God’s timing and ways are perfect.
On the 2nd of July 2025, Pastor Alf Daniels (of Rehoboth Restoration Ministry in Cape Town) led his 16th short-term missions trip to Greece, under the banner of Hellenic Ministries (a global Mission organization that brings Christ to Greece and the Nations). Anticipation of what God was going to do – in and through the team – was high.
But, a few days later, word was sent that Pastor Alf had fallen critically ill and was not expected to survive the night. The eventual diagnosis was heart attack, heart failure and subsequent kidney and liver failure.
I remember praying and asking God how he could have allowed this to happen? Amidst my frustration, very audibly, God reminded me that He was at work everywhere and that His mission field is everywhere…including the hospital bed, the staff and the people sharing the ward with Pastor Alf.
Enter God’s miracles and timing into the story…This article was birthed 3 months, to the day, that Pastor Alf fell critically ill. Against all medical odds Pastor Alf attended our Hellenic Ministries’ Planning meeting, and told his story that was filled with life, purpose, joy and testimony. Pastor Alf firmly believes that if he had not undertaken this journey to Greece, he would definitely have passed away in July of this year.
Miracle 1: Had there not been plenty of prayer warriors around Pastor Alf to take him off the island and to the Chalkida Hospital, he surely would not have made it.
Miracle 2: The Chalkida hospital was small and because it was a weekend, there was a very small staff on duty…it just so happened that the Doctor on duty was a cardiologist.
Cardiologist Dr Goumas and Ps Alfred before being medically repatriated
Miracle 3: Nicole, Pastor Alf’s daughter, recalls how she was waiting to receive the call from the hospital to say that her father had passed away. She tells the conversation she had had with God, “You took my dad all the way to Greece either to call him home (because it is his favourite place) or to heal him completely so that he can continue serving you.” When the phone rang, she was certain that she was going to hear bad news. Instead, it was the insurance company telling her that her father could be transported to the Athens Euro Clinic without the obligatory 5-day stabilizing period. This early transit was another factor that saved Pastor Alf’’s life.
Ps Alfred, Ethan & daughter Nicole
Miracle 4: Pastor Alf had fallen into a coma and had to be intubated. Again, the consensus was that this contributed to him surviving the transit to the new hospital.
Miracle 5: Pastor Alf was moved to a private ward 3 days earlier than expected as he had come out of the coma way before the predictions.
Miracle 6: Pastor Alf’s grandson, Ethan, was allowed to sleep in the private suite, next to his grandfather, at no extra cost, and was thus able to take care of him. Ethan tells the story of the Head Cardiologist, Doctor Goumas, calling to him whilst he was standing waiting for the lift and telling him that his grandfather’s room had been upgraded and that Ethan should bring his bags.
Ps Alfred Daniels and Granson Ethan Days of Departure Cape Town Int Airport
Miracle 7: The Hellenic Ministries’ Board provided the funds to send Pastor Alf’s son-in-law, Chad, to fly to Greece to assist with the paperwork and the care-taking.
But not all things went smoothly. After 10 days in hospital, the R1 million guarantee from the insurance company had been spent. The family had to enter into aggressive negotiations with the insurance company. But even this obstacle led to a miracle.
Miracle 8: In order to save money, Pastor Alf was put in a general ward where there happened to be a South African Greek. Upon seeing the family entering the room with all their luggage, he found them accommodation – at no expense – in Athens for the duration of their stay.
Miracle 9: Pastor Alf tells that his mission field became his Greek hospital bed. He tells of the opportunities to build relationship and share the gospel with the porters, the physiotherapists, the fellow patients, nurses as well as the Doctors. He mentioned how the staff were drawn to the hospital room because of the atmosphere: there was worship music playing and lots of praying. He tells of Dr Mazonakis saying: “You are a miracle.”
Miracle 10: The story doesn’t end in Greece however. The obstacles and miracles Pastor Alf and his family experienced upon his return to South Africa, were no less spectacular (and require their own article): Although told he could not go more than 3 days without dialysis, and then told he was not eligible for dialysis in SA, God showed up again: Pastor Alf has not had dialysis for over two months and his health keeps improving steadily!
Grandson Ethan says that he was reminded that missions come at a cost, just like the expensive perfume poured out of the alabaster jar. But he states that it is because of this expense that the mission was able to be fulfilled, even from the hospital room.
Daughter Nicole states that this experience showed her what God’s Kingdom is all about and that all her doubts about people and relationships were washed away. God used wonderful, wonderful people (Christian, Muslim, Greek, South African) to accomplish His purposes.
This is a story that reminds us that God is at work all the time, even when we don’t understand, and especially in situations that seem hopeless. It’s a story that reminds us that we are not in control…we have to trust. It is a story that answers the question, “Lord, how could you let this happen?”
For more information on the short-term and long-term missionary projects that you can get involved in in Greece, visit the Hellenic Ministries website: hellenicministries.org
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Date published: 29/10/2025
Feature image: LEFT: Preparing to move from Chalkidi General to Athens Euroclinic, Ventilated & Induced Coma. RIGHT: Euroclinic medical team on discharge.
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