Joy in the face of death

SIM worker Walter serves with Life Challenge Africa in Kenya, which seeks to show Christ’s love to Muslim neighbours. He recounts his experience as a COVID-19 patient and the grace God provided him during suffering.

Easter 2021 will stay in our memory for good. My wife, Christel, and I picked up COVID-19. While I enjoyed time at home resting and reading, my wife fought for life at Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya.

Our oldest daughter, who has experience with doctors, hospitals, and insurance companies, immediately took over crisis management, and together with our other children, greatly encouraged us, gave advice, prayed and informed friends across the globe. Without their loving, sacrificial, round-the-clock commitment, we would have been at a great loss what to do.

On the eve of Good Friday, my conditions deteriorated rapidly. My breathing worsened, and at 5am I phoned our friend, Dr. Umar, and said: “I am suffocating.” He immediately advised to get an ambulance.

Descending one flight of stairs from our apartment was agonising and left me exhausted. But I never panicked; I experienced the peace of Jesus who impressed on me: “Today is the most meaningful day in the Christian calendar. Perhaps it is the best date to go home and be with my Saviour.”

Aware of my sin, I remembered the words of the repentant criminal next to Jesus: “Lord, remember me.” My heart filled with intense joy and responded with great assurance! “Praise Jesus, I am right at his side and can hear his words: ‘Today you will be with me.’ I don’t need to worry.”

My heart filled with intense joy and responded with great assurance! “Praise Jesus, I am right at his side.”

After seven hours of waiting, praying and negotiating, I was admitted to the same ward where my wife was fighting for breath. To assure me of his love, our good Lord gave me a beautiful window bed near Christel. I spent 10 days there; she spent 23.

On my way to the hospital, I had packed a new notebook, which became my “Corona Diary” and helps me not to forget all his goodness. Here are excerpts:

• The ward had recently received special “high flow” machines, which added much needed oxygen.

• Our doctor friend was supported by one of the best specialists in lung diseases.

• Unlike my people-oriented wife, I am usually a coward about speaking to strangers, but God gave me easy access to sufferers in nearby beds, people from diverse backgrounds whom I talked to freely about the Bible and Jesus!

• In spite of extreme demands and the risk of infection, the nurses showed extraordinary love, efficient service and fearless commitment. Most were Christians; our two doctors were Muslim. Our sovereign Lord brings together amazing teams to accomplish his grace!

We are deeply grateful to the many who prayed. Perhaps most people prayed we would get well quickly. But I believe these weeks of hospitalisation were a special gift of our loving Lord, watching over us, speaking to us, making us aware of areas in our life we would never have discovered.

PLEASE PRAY:

• For full recovery for Walter and Christel.

• For the Lord to minister to all those suffering from COVID.

• For more opportunities to engage neighbours with the good news of Jesus.

LEARN MORE ABOUT LIFE CHALLENGE AFRICA

Walter’s work with Life Challenge Africa equips Christian leaders in Africa with resources and support to develop relationships and connections with Muslim neighbours. Learn more at https://life-challenge.org/.

Walter and Christel