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Carli and Gloria lost their house in Panama as they prepared to leave for the United States. In 1989 they moved to Minneapolis, where he began studies at Bethel Seminary.

"We bought our clothes at Goodwill and could not afford to eat out, except maybe at McDonald's," he recalls. "We really loved the fellowship at the Minnetonka Community Church, but we could not take the cold Minnesota winter."

Jelenszky transferred to Bethel Seminary West in San Diego. Tight finances continued, but they were enjoying an abundant life. "All we could afford was a cheap used car," he says, "but those days in America were probably our happiest as a family."

His father would not allow his brothers and sister to visit him in person, though they could telephone him. But Jelenszky received a visit from his father, who was seeing another relative in California. During the visit the elder Jelenszky came to realize that his son's faith was genuine and reasonable and not an affront to the spirit of Catholicism.

"My dad softened his heart to my ministry and allowed my brothers and sister to reconnect with me," Jelenszky says. "That opened the door for a return to Panama."

The Minnetonka fellowship ordained Jelenszky on April 12, 1991, and he received his Master of Divinity in June. He returned to Panama that summer and resumed working at the family store. His dream: to start Bible studies among rich friends and business contacts.

The dream began to take shape after Jelenszky told his friend Chesco Linares—one of Panama's most illustrious business figures—about Jesus. "I owe my spiritual life to Carli," Linares says. "He helped me to develop a relationship with Christ. Before I just had a religion."

Linares began to invite people to his home for Bible studies with Jelenszky. The harvest from far-flung outreach, however, came only after Jelenszky was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last summer. He says more people have come to Jesus since he was stricken than in the previous 10 years of Bible teaching.

"We are seeing leaders in government at our home, major business figures, doctors, and lawyers," he says. "If my getting cancer is what it takes for people to realize their need of Christ, then who am I to argue with God's plans? I asked God some time ago to rekindle my heart for evangelism. I did not expect this to be the way he would do it."

Gloria can hardly believe the effect of recent Bible studies. As many as 100 people regularly pack into her living room and dining room to listen to Jelenszky's testimony.

"We see new people at every study," she says. "They want to hear firsthand about Carli's joy."

Author Ralph MacKenzie says that at one Saturday night Bible study in September, people were standing in the hallway and against the living room walls. "There was hardly room to breathe," MacKenzie says. "I saw 30 people put up their hands when Carli gave the invitation to accept Christ."

Concern over his cancer is widespread in Panama. The country's president, Mireya Moscoso, let Jelenszky know of her willingness to help. Friends stop him regularly on the street to hear how he is doing. One of Panama's most famous reporters rose to talk with him as he entered a restaurant for lunch last September.

At the Bible studies, men and women with tears running down their cheeks hug him. Many say that they are praying for his healing.

"I've probably shed more tears over Carli's illness than anything in my life," says Bob Gunn, pastor of Crossroads Bible Church in Panama City. "Yet we all have such a deep burden for the salvation of our friends here in Panama that we have to believe that God is doing something very special among us."

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February 2004, Vol. 48, No. 2