My dear friends
Health Update
Some of you might sometimes wonder if all the prayers for
the restoration of my health have any effect at all. Well my friends, take courage. Ours
is the living God who hears and sees everything. He has a record of all our prayers; in
His eternal wisdom He answers as He deems fit.
A visit to Entabeni Hospital in Durban yesterday confirmed
to us that the Lord's invisible hand is at work.
After the latest bout of pneumonia and constant pain around
the trachea area the head of my medical support team, Dr Albu van Eeden, in consultation
with specialists at Entabeni, decided that I should get a proper examination of the sinus,
throat and chest areas. My wish was to go in by ambulance and return the same day but I
knew it would be quite a challenge for my frail frame.
Yesterday morning as I prayed about the trip a portion of
scripture suddenly warmed my heart,
"underneath are the
everlasting arms" (Deuteronomy 33:27)
And that is exactly what happened - I experienced the
everlasting arms throughout the day.
The ambulance had a fine crew but the vehicle and the
contents were modest. Somehow though the trip was certainly the most comfortable thus far.
As soon as we arrived at the hospital things just flowed;
the staff took us through X-ray procedures within a short time.
It is interesting to note how humorous moments sometimes
come our way. Two of the nurses in the X-ray room had a curious exchange. One must have
known that we come from the very source of aQuelle, so she said we should have brought her
some of the immensely popular mineral water. The other one had information to the effect
that I am the owner aQuelle. Unfortunately, I did not have my computer close-by to modify
the exaggeration and explain that I am just one of the directors of the company.
How can I capture the beauty and the spirit of the
conversation between Dr Albu van Eeden, the pulmnologist, Dr Mike van der Linden, and the
ENT (Ear, Throat and Nose) specialist, Dr Garth Skinner, as they discussed the results and
the overall picture? To the doctors, taking into consideration the advanced state of my
disease, I remain a living miracle. The support team got high praise once again for the
excellent quality care that they are giving me. In fact, Dr van der Linden recommended
that records be kept of how this kind of success has been achieved. Dr Skinner told us
that we are a source of inspiration to him.
One area that needs urgent attention is the throat, an
infection there is causing me a lot of pain.
A reality that I had to face again yesterday is the
progressive nature of Motor Neuron Disease. X-rays and the camera that I swallowed
confirmed that a lot of tissues have collapsed.
So my friends, the Lord has sustained me in an amazing way
and for that we need to keep thanking Him. Our further prayer is for restoration. I have
no doubt that He can do it; as long as He gives me breath I would like to persevere
towards that goal.
On the other hand, there is a measure of excitement when I
think that by God's grace one day I shall experience perfect restoration - the glorified
body. If the Lord wills I shall yet rise and walk away from this bed. If not, then I shall
take off and fly away from it!
Have a blessed weekend!
Pressing on!
In His love
Fano Sibisi
