This is a story of how God saved my life,changed my name and confirmed His promises to me by allowing me to walk through the valley of the shadow of death. In this valley, I felt more loved by God than I have ever felt in my life.
I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2001 and had been taking medication for a few years. Many of my friends and family did not know because I did not talk about it much. I not was keeping this illness a secret. I just believed that I would not be identified by any illness. I refused to say that “I had Multiple Sclerosis”. Whenever discussing my situation I would simply say I was diagnosed with MS. There were times when I could not walk and when numbness in my extremities made doing normal tasks difficult. In the midst of it all God was gracious and I was able to continue my scientific work and minister in numerous places without experiencing too many episodes of MS.
Encounter with Destiny
I went to Atlanta to sing at the end of March and caught the flu which I rarely get. The medication for the flu plus the flu itself raised my blood pressure to 180/110 and that also dealt a terrible blow to my kidneys because kidney function is affected by blood pressure.
I was admitted to the hospital and immediately was hooked up to all kinds of machines. The weird thing about the timing of this is that I was in the hospital near death on the anniversary of my father's death (to the day). My dear dad raised my brother Morgan and me after a bitter divorce from my mother. While lying on the hospital bed for the first few days I felt lost, disappointed and like God had forgotten me.
The doctors had tried everything and could not do anything else. My creatnine level was as high as 7 and did not decrease significantly. Every day the doctors would come to my room with a look of hopelessness on their faces. One of my doctors said that he was keeping his fingers crossed. After a kidney biopsy it was discovered that the medication that I had been taking to treat MS was slowly damaging my kidneys. Although I kept up with my doctors visits this damage was not observed. There were no real symptoms except for fatigue and occasional palpitations which I attributed to my hectic work and ministry schedule. According to the doctor, catching the flu was still helpful in bring to light the damage that was occurring in my kidneys. I was told that if I did not catch the flu the deterioration in my kidneys would have caused me sudden death. At that point, my kidneys were functioning at 12% efficiency. I was finally released and the doctors had given up. They said that due to the considerable damage to my kidneys I would need a transplant or dialysis. (Continues on the right).
Editor's Page
Opportunity cost may not be regained
Editorial: by Sam George
Dominica is a unique country, home to the second largest boiling lake in the world estimated 365 rivers, cascading waterfalls, hot springs and so much more. We cherish and preserve our natural resources and environment while we appreciate and seek growth and development in our nation.
After 30 years of independence, Dominica has established relationships with many different nations which have been instrumental in the development and economic opportunities for Dominicans. One of the most important relationships is that of the United States of America and Dominica, unfortunately there has been zero growth in our diplomatic ties in the last 25 years.
The perfect opportunity for diplomatic relations with America to improve was at the Summit of the Americas in Trinidad & Tobago in April of this year. Opportunity cost is an economic term used when one misses a chance to buy or sell a commodity because time and resources were devoted to another commodity.
In my close observation of the summit, it is my conclusion that Prime Minister Roosevelt Skeritt missed an excellent opportunity to reset diplomatic relations with America when he seemed to walk away from an opportunity to have a “one on one” dialog with President Barack Obama. I must confess that they may have talked behind the scenes; though one would expect a meeting like that along with its perceived outcomes would be boasted on and well published, evidence of which I’ve not seen.
Cost to the average Dominican, “Priceless”.
It seems Mr. Skeritt had to be some place more important than speaking with and attempting to gain some notice from the most powerful man in the world, 'the US president'. I do have much respect for Mr. Skeritt he is an impressive young man, I’d hoped that as the youngest head of state in the west he’d have used this to his advantage and help improve the lives of all citizens of Dominica.
To be clear my views are independent of any political influence or preference. My conclusions would have been regardless of who the PM is. I’d still ask what his vision is for the island.
Leadership demands patience, strategy and sound character among other virtues including respect for the job he or she holds, respect and care for your staff, and fellow citizens. Being a leader does not mean that you are always right and people are to follow you like sheep. A competent leader must be able to receive admonishment without becoming annoyed, he should be comfortable with constructive criticism, a true leader picks his battles carefully and seeks compromise when disagreements arrive (within reason of course) .
Mr. Skeritt in my opinion missed an opportunity to attract Obama’s attention at a time when sharing his vision for Dominica with the president could only be beneficial to us finding some common ground for example Dominica’s abundant energy resources would have paved a way of bonding as two leaders need to forge new and improve on existing relationships.
We can harvest wind energy from the Dominica’s east coast, tidal energy in the Martinique Channel and geothermal energy from the south. Energy is a very hot debate in America these days and the Obama administration is working hard to implement a green economy.
The strategy here should have been to show off Dominica to president Obama as a potential partner in creating a green economy and an energy leader in the West Indies, with the added benefit of creating jobs for Dominicans.
Our Eco-Tourism goals could have served as good and interesting conversation, invite Obama to Dominica, let him know who we are as a people and that we are ready to improve on our relationship. At the very least the nature isle would be on his mind.
Can you imagine the economic impact of an American President vacationing in Dominica? Wow! Dominica is one of the most beautiful places on earth and is still unspoiled with respect to her natural beauty, the United States still is, (never mind the current economic down-turn) the richest most powerful nation on earth, how many of us would give anything to have a friend like that, a friend we could call on anytime we're in trouble? Nations have the same need. I do hope that Prime Minister Skeritt gets another opportunity to get America’s attention.
(Continued from I'm Louis) There is a BUT GOD part to this story. The doctors did blood tests and saw that my kidneys were not working well and had all their grim diagnoses. I prayed, believing that God would turn it around despite what the doctors have said and there were believers fasting and praying. God had specifically sent me a prophesy that was confirmed by about four people from four different countries who did not know me. The prophesy said that He would send me to minister to the nations, that if I open up my mouth He would fill it, and if I did His work, He would touch my body. I believe that God did say these things to me and therefore disregarded the doctor’s report. I was prescribed steroids and other potent drugs. At one point, I had to swallow 19 pills at a time.
I watched my face change as a result of the medication and at wondered who was this woman looking back at me in the mirror. I still experienced peace that I could not understand amidst the mountain of pills and river of tears. God would wake me up early in the morning with new songs and scriptures of reassurance like James 1: 2-7 which speaks about counting it all joy when we go through various trials because the trying of our faith brings patience and patience brings contentment. I also learned the true meaning of faith and the works that are associated with faith. Faith without works is dead.
**My Miracle**
There were believers from all over the world praying for me daily, even in the places that I had ministered before. I was beginning to gain strength through prayer and the word. I was also very strict with my diet and ate mostly fruits and vegetables. I also received great advice from a friend about the old fashioned remedies that we grew up with in the Caribbean like garlic and ginger.
I visited the doctor for more tests and he noticed that my kidney function was suddenly getting better contrary to what he had expected. Every week that I went in the doctor was baffled. I was elated when the doctor told me that I would not need a transplant or dialysis. He still cannot explain how both kidneys which were severely damaged could function like the damage never happened. The miracle that has occurred in my body defies all the expectations of the doctors.
My New Identity
The Almighty God showed Himself strong again and again. During my three months of recuperation, God revealed painful issues that I needed to release and burdens that I had been carrying for years. I received emotional and physical healing. I received my miracle and a renewal of my faith in the God who I have believed in from my youth. My life is not perfect . I still make mistakes, but I am confident that I will be able to overcome any obstacle. I have had an encounter with God and my name has been changed. I am Lois – The Healed of the Lord.
