Cancer Patient Project

Cancer Patient Care:
A Ministry of Presence, Prayer, and Hope

​For more than 18 years, Rev. Kees Brouwer and Willemijn Brouwer have faithfully served Thai people suffering from the later stages of cancer through a ministry rooted in humility, compassion, and prayer. Long before others joined them, they committed themselves to walking alongside those facing some of life’s most painful and uncertain moments, trusting that God’s love and healing presence are most clearly revealed where suffering is deepest.

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This ministry takes place at the Northern Thai Cancer Center, a place of refuge for patients who often arrive burdened not only by physical illness, but also by fear, exhaustion, and despair. The Cancer Center provides a free place to stay, offering dormitory-style accommodation and clean, hygienic bathroom facilities, allowing patients to care for themselves with dignity. Most patients are accompanied by a family member, usually a spouse, child, or close relative, who remains with them throughout treatment, carrying both practical responsibilities and emotional weight.

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For nearly two decades, Kees has come faithfully, often kneeling beside a patient’s bed, to pray with those who are suffering. His posture reflects humility before God and deep solidarity with the broken. Willemijn stands alongside him with gentleness, attentiveness, and quiet strength, offering presence, encouragement, and prayer. Over the years, they have become trusted and familiar faces at the Cancer Center, representing consistency, compassion, and hope in a place where uncertainty often prevails.

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Every Tuesday, the ministry team visits the Cancer Center to spend time with patients and their families. A healthy meal is prepared and shared, intentionally focused on anti-inflammatory properties to support the body as much as possible. While simple, this meal communicates dignity, care, and love. For many patients and caregivers, it is more than nourishment, it is a reminder that they are seen, remembered, and valued.

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Since 2024, Hendrik and Dew (Krittiya) Brouwer have joined Kees and Willemijn in continuing this long-established ministry. Their involvement represents not a new beginning, but a faithful continuation of an 18-year legacy, passed from one generation to the next. They entered this ministry with deep respect for what had been built through years of prayer, obedience, and quiet perseverance.

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Hendrik and Dew often come as a family, accompanied by their children. The presence of children has become a powerful and unexpected blessing. Together, they sing and gently dance to simple Christian children’s songs, creating an atmosphere of warmth and peace. Patients smile, family members relax, and for a moment the weight of illness lifts. The innocence and joy of children often open hearts in ways words alone cannot.

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Following this time of singing, a short and gentle word is shared about the love of God, that we are all lost children of the Father in heaven, and that His heart longs to draw His children close, especially those who are suffering. 

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Prayer is the heart of this ministry. Each patient is prayed for individually, together with their family member. The team uses what they call the “introduction prayer,” a way of gently introducing the patient to God the Father. This approach is intentionally relational, beginning with identity, belonging, and love. Again and again, the team witnesses the Holy Spirit at work in both hearts and bodies through this simple and sincere prayer.

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The prayer is spoken exactly as follows:

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“Dear father in heaven,
i would like to introduce ...........(name) to you,
they are your child, created in your image,
through love and your good pleasure.

You, Father, know the suffering your child is going through.
for this reason you send your only begotten son Jesus Christ
into this broken world to heal us from all afflictions of sin.

Lord please send down your love,
through the grace provided by Jesus's suffering and death
on the cross and His resurrection.

Please cleanse our hearts from sin,
and give us the strength to forgive all who have hurt us.

Lord wash out all ailments from our bodies,
you know what cells you have not created,
we would like you to take them out in Jesus name.

Fill us with your love, mercy, and joy,
and let us praise your name with thanksgiving
all the days of our lives.

In the name of the Father the son and the holy spirit,
One God, amen.”

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Time and again, when patients open their eyes after this prayer, something has changed. Despair has lifted. Fear has loosened its grip. Many testify that pain is reduced, and in some cases completely gone. Even when physical healing is still unfolding, there is often a deep and unmistakable peace that settles over both patient and family member.

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The ministry team carefully keeps a journal, recording testimonies of healing, peace, forgiveness, and inner transformation. Each week, these testimonies are reviewed and updated, not to glorify people, but to remember what the Lord has done and to give thanks for His faithfulness.

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For those who serve, this ministry has become a profound source of joy and spiritual renewal. Kees and Willemijn testify that these 18 years of faithful service have deeply shaped their walk with God. Hendrik and Dew echo the same truth: through kneeling beside the suffering, praying with patients and their families, and witnessing God’s mercy at work, their faith has been strengthened and their hearts refined.

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This ministry stands firmly on the truth of Scripture: “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16, NKJV). This promise has been witnessed repeatedly, not only in moments of physical healing, but in restored peace, lifted despair, reconciled hearts, and renewed hope.

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In kneeling before God on behalf of those who suffer, the team encounters Christ Himself. And in that holy ground, both those who are prayed for and those who pray are continually touched and transformed by the healing love of God.

We have seen amazing things happen with the extended family of the patients we visit at home. In most cases entire house hold coming to the Lord, and wanting to be baptized. We connect them to the local church of the CCT, and follow up frequently. We would like to expand our visitation teams. please Pray for us, and/or get involved. 

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Donor Involvement:

1. Meal 15-20 people/per week 3,500 THB ($112)

2. Vitamin and Electrolytes/ 15-20 persons/ per week 1,000 THB ($32)

3. Home visit of the patients after treatment/week (incl. 1 overnight stay & transportation): 10,000 THB ($321)

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Monthly Project Cost: 58,000 THB ($1,863)