Tests were conducted by a dedicated app that can be used indoors because of the situation in hospital settings all over the world to save lives, which confirmed me positive before further confirmatory tests were done
Sometime towards the end of April 2020, two brethren from our church wanted to see me desperately: they had challenges and needed my prayers and counselling.
Since the lockdown, I have never allowed anyone to visit me. But the pressure from them was so much that I decided to allow them to come to my house.
But I didn’t have peace of mind, which is how the Holy Spirit checks me whenever am taking a wrong decision. I disregarded the feelings, convinced it was my calling to give an ear, at least, to the materially or spiritually needy.
The first brother came and we had a discussion for about an hour which bordered around his personal challenges. I prayed together with him.
The second brother also came. and we also spent some time discussing his challenges. I prayed for him too.
My mind never crossed to Coronavirus until I nearly died between midnight and 3am, on 30th June-2nd July
But both came wearing masks while I also did likewise.
Somewhere along the line, we removed our masks and continued with our discussions and prayers, possibly because we were not used to it or felt inconvenienced.
Sometime in May, I became very sick and as usual thought it was malaria. I went ahead with series of malaria drugs and antibiotics with no solution in sight.
I never thought of Coronavirus until I nearly died between midnight and 3am, on 30th June-2nd July.
But God spared my life as I was totally immersed and covered with real hot water massages everyday and night.
Tests were conducted by a dedicated app that can be used indoors because of the situation in hospital settings all over the world to save lives, which confirmed me positive before further confirmatory tests were done.
The symptoms were unmistakable: Loss of smell, loss of taste, shortness of breath and headache. I also experienced excessive hiccup.
The rest of my experiences I will share later.
I was moved to post my condition to a few selected brethren, including the ones that visited me.
Just for me to get a reply from one them that visited me that he had the same Covid virus. I was shocked.
Quote: ‘I have mine own.’ I wanted to know what was his own. He related that he nearly died upper week Sunday in his house because of the virus, and that he was managing it at home with herbs, which means I got it from him.
It was then the Lord told me that He never permitted me to welcome anybody into my house but I disobeyed Him because I am a Pastor.
I sincerely repented and told Him to have mercy and heal me.
Since that time I have been getting better, though still weak and tired.
No matter who you are discussing with, please wear your face masks. Don’t remove them in the process of any conversation.
The virus is real and deadly. I can say that because I am in the situation now and in self-Isolation as I write. My room has become a mini-chemist. I am being managed at home by a nurse.
Herbal medications and baths are an integral part of my treatment regimen.
I was so engrossed in the pastorial/ministerial work that I did not listen to the Owner of the work.
But it shall remain an indelible experience. Keep me in all your prayers until I am certified COVID-19 free.
I know that I will not die but live to declare His goodness.
God bless you all.
Pastor Emmanuel Ibekwe is Chairman, Board of Trustees, Dabma Sickle Cell Foundation, Lagos
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