Grace and Peace to all.
My Name is Maureen David and I am 83 years old.
For 28 years I was a Faith Sharer in my Catholic Church, the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, starting with Standard 3 pupils for 3 years and then with Form 4 students for the next 25 years. After that, I became a Faith Sharer with Adults for 23 years that is until to date. This Ministry is called the RCIA – Rite of Christian Initiation. It is roughly an Initiation programme of preparation of adults for Baptism, where every week different Presenters will share topics ranging from Who is God, Prayer, Relationships, etc. At Easter the candidates receive Baptism. It starts in June and ends in April or May.
On June 01st last year, 2022, our Coordinator suddenly left, and I being the Assistant Coordinator had to take over. The situation though a bit turbulent, with God’s grace, we managed to overcome number of challenges that arose. Then the official Election of all Office Bearers who had served their 2 or 3 year term of office took place and at this point I told the team I wasn’t standing for re-election. A new coordinator and assistant coordinator were elected, and I was appointed Advisor.
The function of the WhatsApp chat is good and good. Good for sending messages and also good for sending accusations, crushing criticisms and ceramahs, all under the guise of “voicing out inaccuracies”. Besides the official RCIA WhatsApp Chat, I received all sorts of scathing texts on my personal WhatsApp. The coordinator, assistant coordinator and myself ignored what ought to be ignored and replied to what had to be explained, which was again followed up by another frustrating onslaught of frustrating tongue-lashing words.
Besides all this, I started having very painful gastritis. I was now in the season of desolation. I’m aware that criticisms, accusations, etc., are part and parcel of Ministry and life, but being human, when you receive it constantly, it can lead to discontentment.
What was once a strong united RCIA Team, the Team spirit was slowly crumbling and negative effects of attitude and disposition started to surface.
Then on Friday, 12th May 2023, I was admitted into hospital. It was the beginning of a “God with me” experience, from my admission right up to my discharge on Tuesday, 16th May 2023. Firstly, I couldn’t get a place in the 2-bedded or single room, and was given the last available bed in the 6-bedded room. Of course I grabbed it. Going up to the room, 2 doctors who were in the lift were worried that patients in wheelchairs were waiting to be admitted but could not due to lack of beds. Praise the Lord I managed to get a bed. To my surprise, I found the 6-bedded room so bright, there was a table in the room where a nurse stationed, and while she did her admin work, she also kept an eye on the 6 patients. Nurses kept coming in to report to this nurse whom I assume was their chief. All the nurses were good and helpful.
While waiting for admission, I was sent for a CT Scan and later my Physician came and wasn’t happy with the scan as there was a shadow between the lung and heart, and so I had to go again for a second scan. This time the doctor told me that he wanted to see my sons. I was filled with fear.
I texted to 3 very good friends – a Pastor, and 2 Elders for prayer support. In the evening, Doctor told us he had consulted one Specialist and was waiting to consult 2 more Specialists. Eventually, the verdict as that there was a small growth between my lung and my heart, but because I had no previous CT Scans, the team decided to wait another 5 months and then they would review the situation. Praise the Lord the cause was settled.
After that the Surgeon came and again in consultation with my Doctor, they decided to go ahead with the scope. My age and my asthma were taken into consideration and I was scheduled for Monday, 15th May 2023. On Monday morning my Doctor came to see me. Now here I must divert a bit to share what God did.
When Doctor asked the Senior Nurse what time I was scheduled for the scope, she told him it was 2.00 p.m. My Doctor was surprised commenting why I couldn’t be attended to earlier, considering my age, when suddenly the Junior Nurse came running to say the Scope Centre wanted me immediately. The Senior Nurse said “ Wow Doctor! The scope people heard you”. Doctor turned to me and smiled, and I pointed upwards. Doctor replied to the nurse, “God spoke through me and commanded them!” We had a good laugh. Amen.
In the Scope Centre, the Anesthetist came and explained gently to me what they were going to do and stayed with me till I was called in for the procedure. Doctor was by my side, pushing my bed together with the nurse and I could hear the nurse telling she could manage on her own, but he didn’t let go pushing and walking by my side. Wow, I felt I was King Jesus’ daughter.
Surgeon came and both doctors started the procedure. I was sedated right through. The results of the Endoscopy and Colonoscopy were good – there were no ulcers but very high acidity inside. What a relief because my mum had stomach cancer. Now I am being treated with medication and rehabilitation of regular food intake.
On Tuesday, 16th May 2023, my Physician came early in the morning to discharge me, but I had to wait for the Surgeon to discharge me. My son came to take me home and we waited and waited. By 7.00 pm, there was no sign of the Surgeon as he was still in the operating theatre – in total was a 5 hour operation!!
At 7.00 pm, we decided to let me stay another night. However, the nurse told us to wait till 8.00 pm. I prayed and asked a friend who texted to find out if I was home, to also pray. At 7.45 pm, the maid started to unpack some clothes for me to use the next day when 3 minutes before 8.00 pm, the Surgeon came in, still in his theatre clothes. I was then discharged. Praise the Lord!
We took a Grab as my elder son couldn’t come because he and his wife were in quarantine – his mother-in-law was tested Covid positive. We reached home at around 9.25 pm.
Over the following days back home, I was in a better frame of mind and able to be back in prayer and reflection. I was convicted by the Lord for thinking that it was I who had built the success of the RCIA Ministry, when it was the Lord’s work. I repented my arrogance and pride in thinking that I was the one building the RCIA, and received a conversion of mind and heart. I was plucked like an olive for its tree,shaken and crushed in the trials that came my way so that the oil of anointing could be released and given to me to start afresh and anew.
My Lord and My God. Amen.
During my stay in hospital I was constantly saying “Thy Will be done on Earth and as in Heaven. Jesus I trust in You. Holy Spirit be My Helper and Guide. Holy Trinity help me. Amen.”
I stood on:
2 Timothy 1:7 – For God has not given us the Spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Isaiah 41:10 – Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My Righteous Right Hand.