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The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 4:16
We came to the United States from South Africa six years ago.
Apart from dealing with living in a foreign country, hardly ever
speaking my own language anymore, the hardest part was being
without our support system—our families and friends. The tragedy
of the situation is, due to the ongoing political unrest in my
country, we cannot return there because the environment is not
safe for our children.
Less than a year ago though, after much moving around, God
planted me in Madison, Georgia. Shortly thereafter, I was invited
to a Bible study group, and I think it is an understatement to say
that that’s where God began His work. In this incredible group of
women He gave me a base of friendship and family. He also placed
me here because He had work to do in all these families.
At the end of January 2001, after walking around with significant
lumps in my neck for quite awhile, I had them checked out.
Right from the start, the three doctors I saw all prepared me for
the worst, which was lymphoma, because I had all of the significant
symptoms. The very first day, I didn’t even realize the gravity
of the diagnosis, because I wasn’t sure what word lymphoma translated
into in my language. Then I saw the faces and reaction of my
friends as I told them my diagnosis.
The seriousness also struck me when the doctors became so
urgent in their demeanor. The surgeon removed three lumps from
my neck. Afterward he told me he has never removed three lumps;
one is usually plenty for diagnosis. Extra pathology tests were also
sent to a second hospital to confirm my condition. Even my CAT
scan was scheduled on a Sunday morning at the crack of dawn.
On all my forms they wrote “lymphoma and/or Hodgkin’s disease”
in the diagnosis box.
Needless to say, you can imagine the emotional roller coaster I
was on during that time. Most difficult of all was looking at my
three precious children and not knowing what lay ahead. By God’s
grace, all of this happened while we were studying the chapters of
faithfulness in our Bible study. God led all nine of us every step we
took during that time, through every question we asked. He also
tore down every barrier so those women could be available to me
and my family during that time. Suddenly they had time to carry
me emotionally, to care for and keep my children during all the
numerous appointments and surgery—time none of us has otherwise.
God gave me a family, and our friendship grew instantly.
More tendrils reached out from the Vine—intense prayers went
up for me from the Bible study group in Atlanta, from all of the
South Africans living in Atlanta (most whom I’d never met), and
of course, from my family across the Atlantic.
During all of this, my big moment of peace came on the surgery
table on Valentine’s Day. Two nurses and the anesthesiologist
did everything they could to prepare me for the surgery. As I was
just lying there waiting, with the room beginning to spin, a big
male nurse came into the room and said, “I am going to take care
of you today. I want you to know that I went through the exact
same thing you’re going through now, and I received the worst
news, that I had lymphoma.” Then I felt his hands on my face as
he said, “Look at me. I am fine; I am doing just fine.” I never saw
him again!
Finally, when all the final results came back, everything was
negative. The surgeon was completely mystified. The hematologist
said twice that he’d bet the farm on the fact that I had lymphoma
or Hodgkin’s disease.
I realize every day that God saved me for a purpose. Nine
families—husbands, wives and children—were touched by His
awesome power. Every person who prayed for me here and in
South Africa realized again the incredible power of prayer.
Sometimes God does not answer our prayers as we expect Him
to. I have changed my expectations. If the whole purpose of my
life is to learn to love God and to show His compassion to the
world, then what He is doing in me is more important than what
He is doing for me. I am also humbled and so very honored to be
chosen by God to carry His message of love and hope to everyone
I know. Let us always remember that life is to be lived moment by
moment and that God is our only guarantee. And if you ever doubt,
just look at me and remember, God is still very much at work
today; miracles do not just happen in Matthew and Luke. To God
be the glory!
Father, thank You for the power of prayer and for revealing Yourself
through this miracle. Amen.
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