Surrounded by Angels of God’s Love

A Letter from Nancy Collins, serving in East Central Africa

April 2018

“Nancy is dying. Nancy is dying.”

That is what Rev. Julie Kandema, Vice President of the Presbyterian Church of Rwanda (PCR), told her husband, Dr. Emmanuel Musabeyezu, as she rushed me to King Faisal Hospital in Kigali, Rwanda, Tuesday morning, April 17. I certainly was sick — I ate some bad food the night before and spent the night in the bathroom. But I was not dying!! At the hospital, thanks to Dr. Emmanuel’s intervention, I was miraculously whisked into a ward bed without ever visiting the admissions office. Over the next two days, under the wise and wonderful care of Dr. Emmanuel, I was rehydrated by IV’s supplemented with doses of anti-nausea medication and antibiotics. By the end of the two days, my temperature, white cell count and electrolytes were back to normal. Weak but stable, I was released from the hospital Wednesday evening.

The hospital admission was a very strong experience of God’s love for me, of God in control, of the hand of God in the healing process. Two PCR women whom I knew only casually spent most of the day Tuesday seated near my bed talking and keeping an eye on me as I dozed in and out of consciousness. Late in the afternoon, after I was transferred into a private room, Rev. Rosemarie Ibyishaka, head of the PCR Women’s Desk, with whom I have worked and bonded over the past ten years, arrived and moved for the night into the comfy easy chair in my room. She had spent the day in eastern Rwanda facilitating an all-day training of pastors and spouses, and then she came to the hospital with her backpack of clothes and necessities to spend the night with me. When she arose in the morning, she knelt by my bed, and holding my hand, prayed for my recovery and for the recovery of her mother, hospitalized outside Kigali. Then she left for another all-day training — this time in southern Rwanda. Rev. Julie arrived for a visit, and she prayed with me and for me before going to an important meeting. Dr. Emmanuel came to report on the results of blood work and let me know my treatment for the day. The nurses came to check my IV and administer additional anti-nausea medication and antibiotics. Breakfast came, and I managed to eat it! Two more PCR ladies came to sit with me. Rev. Fidele Sibomana, who is responsible for the PCR Bethany Guesthouses, came to visit and pray with me. I was surrounded by angels of God’s love!

After I posted on Facebook about the hospitalization, there was another outpouring of concern and prayers. CCAP Zambia Pastor Rev. Joseph Chilenje commented: “We give our heartfelt appreciation to our colleagues in Rwanda who took care of you. May God richly bless them for their love and concern.” PC(USA) Co-Moderator Rev. Denise Anderson indicated, “I’m so sorry you had such an ordeal, and so grateful for a quick recovery! Please send Dr. Pascal (Bataringaya, PCR president) and Pastor Rosemarie my love.” My illness connected global brothers and sisters. It was amazing to be the center of prayer, love and concern! Praise God!

At the same time, the hospitalization was a very difficult experience because of the ways it highlighted the extreme inequity between the developing South and the developed North. I especially see this inequity in health care. Many people in my region of Africa have extremely limited access to quality medical care. Friends in Zambia assume, based on their experience, that a visit to the “operating theater” in a hospital is a death knell. The idea that the doctor might be a partner with the patient in health care is a foreign one. Patients are not expected to question the doctor, and often the doctor does not share with the patient how the patient is supposed to benefit from prescribed treatment. In addition, many Africans do not have the financial resources to access the level of health care that I take for granted.

While Pastor Rosemarie was with me, she talked about the situation of her mother, who is in a hospital about 30 miles away from King Faisal Hospital. She is praying for her mother and urging family members to visit her mother, although the mother no longer seems to recognize visitors. Rosemarie visited her mother the evening after spending the night with me. She said she whispered in her mother’s ear, “Mommy, in your heart of hearts continue to pray to God who loves you.” She wishes her mother could have a higher level of care, but the family cannot afford it. She told me King Faisal Hospital is only for wealthy people. It really is heartbreaking. I know God wants for all God’s people the fullness of life — the gift of love — that I experienced as a patient. I believe the holistic work I am supporting with PC(USA) international partner churches helps God’s kingdom to break through into this world so that fullness of life in Africa moves toward reality.

Thank you for this opportunity to serve God in this place, at this time. I invite you to continue supporting this ministry we share, through your voice, your daily living, your financial contributions, and your prayers. Together, and by the Grace of God, we will continue to transform this world in which we live. Thank you.

In Christ,

Nancy