THEY REJOICED AT SEEING ME

"I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow soldier ...for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and ...on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again ..." (Phil. 2:25-28 ESV)

Returning from a routine medical check-up on a cold winter morning. Thanking God for how far He has brought me; looking ahead with confidence into the future because Jesus is in control of affairs.

The brethren in the city of Philippi had heard their beloved brother called Epaphroditus was indisposed. Apart from taking an active part in the preaching of the gospel, he also volunteered to serve as Paul's personal attendant. Combining these two roles eventually weighed down on this young man, nearly dying of overwork (Phil. 2:3). God had mercy on him and healed him. Knowing that the believers, out of love and concern, prayed for him, he was determined to literally show himself to them as proof indeed that he was well, to settle their anxiety and make them happy. Paul, knowing this also, graciously included Epaphroditus on a delegation he had sent to Philippi. Paul's principal reason was to cause the brethren in Philippi to rejoice, be happy at seeing Epaphroditus alive...in answer to their prayers.

My life and my recovery are the direct results of your fervent prayers. Through them, God has had mercy on me and has kept me alive. I am sure that when you see me, you will greatly rejoice and praise the LORD.

Surely when God lifts me up, I shall have a marathon to run. I shall, by the grace of God and the permission of the leadership of our church, crisscross the globe to testify of what the LORD has done. And when you see me you will rejoice greatly.

Even as we await that time, those who are able to visit me in Germany express great joy and burst into prayer of praise to God for what He has done. They compare how they see me now to the many diverse impressions they had formed about my condition, based on what they had heard about me.


Last week we were blessed to receive the visits of three groups. The first to come was my sister, Deaconess Dorcas Nti.

My sister, Mrs Dorcas Nti standing gorgeously behind me. Her broad smile tells it all

Dorcas is a businesswoman based in Accra and shuttles between Accra and New York. She visited between 8th and 12th February, 2012. Having visited us previously in 2009, she was all cheers when she came around this time.

I showed Dorcas some of my home therapy machines. Here, she takes a look at my static riding machine.

I showed her some of the therapies I undertake at home and like most visitors, she tried her hands on my pulling exercises.

Dorcas trying her hands on my elastic pulling ropes for the strengthening of my thorax. 

  Next to visit on Sunday 12th February, 2012 was Elder Matthew Nkansah, his wife Mary and their four year old son, Boaz whom I christened when I was in Ghana.

Elder Matthew Nkansah, his wife Mary and young Boaz reclining on my laps

   Elder Nkansah is also a businessman based in Accra, Ghana. He came to Germany for business promotion seminars and took time off his program to visit us and attend church service with us.

Rev Clement Anchaba and his wife Roseline (on your left), in a pose with Martha and I.

  Next to visit on 13th February was Rev Clement Anchaba, General Overseer of Fountain Gate Chapel based in Accra, and his wife Roseline. Rev Anchaba who took over from the renowned founder of their church, Rev Eastwood Anaba, came to Germany to hold a conference of their ministers in Europe. He was very determined to see me before returning to Ghana. They were very pleased when they saw me. Like the others, Rev Anchaba and his wife could not restrain the outpouring of their praise to God.

I am still awaiting my ultimate recovery. I trust that as you continue to pray for me, the LORD will soon bring it to pass. Nevertheless, when you see me, I know you too will rejoice.

IT'S THREE YEARS NOW: NOT YET, BUT NOT

It's three years now since it all started, 2nd February, 2009--2nd February, 2012. I woke up from my anesthetic sleep in a Paris clinic paralyzed from my shoulders down.

For 27 days I was glued to my bed in an intensive ward. My life seemed to hang in the balance. Many lost hope for my very life and my recovery.

The doctor had told me before the surgery that I would lose the use of my hands and feet for between three and six days. Well, this was not to be, marking the start of an unfamiliar and rugged road I have traveled up to this point.
 
I spent a total of 209 days in hospital in 2009. The following year I spent a further 123 days in hospital for various therapies. The expected walking is still being awaited as I continue to use an electric wheelchair.

But before you hung your hands or bow your head in despair; before you ask God any questions; before your mind is clouded with doubt and your soul is intoxicated with sorrow, I would rather invite you to join me praise the LORD as we consider the "what could have been" aspect of the story; what could have happened to me three years ago had it not been for God's intervention. Or still, even if I would not have died, ponder over the various case-scenarios which could have been my lot by now!

In Psalm 124:1-7, David sang, "If the Lord had not been on our side--let Israel say--If the Lord had not been on our side when men attacked us, when their anger flared against us, they would have swallowed us alive; the flood would have engulfed us, the torrent would have swept over us, the raging waters would have swept us away. Praise be to the Lord, who has not let us be torn by their teeth. We have escaped like a bird out of the fowler's snare; the snare has been broken, and we have escaped."

Many scholars believe that David sang this song after a great national deliverance, probably after God had delivered Israel from two successive attacks by the Philistines (2 Sam. 5: 17-25). This was just after he had been crowned king. David quickly assessed the military situation. The Philistine army was very huge, spreading over a whole valley. In terms of military might, they were more powerful and fierce and tactical. They would easily overrun Israel like a raging torrent, subdue them like a flood or swallow them like a ferocious animal.

What did David do? His first response was to run away into hiding (vr 17). Then he prayed. God assured him of victory and he fought and defeated them. David's second victory was even more spectacular. God gave him the battle plan, and literally sent forth heavenly armies marching on the tops of trees to fight the Philistines (vrs 22-24).

Later as David reflected on the issue, the full weight of the would have been, that is, the reality of what would have happened, dawned on him, which inspired this song. 

Yes, it's three years now since I landed in this new situation. Our expectation has NOT YET fully manifested but I am NOT where I was three years ago. Your prayers for us have not gone unanswered. The LORD has brought about great improvements on my road to recovery. Have you thought of what could have happened to me without God's help?
 
Yes, please join me to bless and praise the LORD for having preserved me and kept my soul "..securely in the bundle of the living" ( 1Sam. 25: 29 NIV). In addition, He has strengthened me in my inner man through the Holy Spirit, and granted me a sharp and clear mind. He has graciously sharpened my writing skills, enabling me to write two books already in this condition with only two fingers! He has given me a very supportive wife and children, surrounded me with very understanding colleagues and prayerful brethren, and very dedicated health care providers. Let us praise His holy name forever.

Now for our ultimate expectation, please continue to bear us up in your prayers, knowing that He who has promised is called FAITHFUL and TRUE. He will do it in His time and for His own glory.