There is a faith that changes you. There is a situation that comes into your life that is so significant, pivotal and sacred that it defines the rest of your life, your thoughts and your presence.
I listened to Miriam Ekirapa Musaali's story. Miriam was the Director of Legal and Board Affairs at Capital Markets Authority in Uganda, a loved and distinguished individual. I had always known Miriam to be a woman of faith, until I listened to her story and the very definition of faith shifted.
Jack, her husband, is an old friend of mine and a son to a fellow writer, Philomena. Miriam and Jack lived a perfect life, which she herself testified in her story. And indeed by every standard of the word. Married for twenty years, living in a dream home, climbing the corporate ladders of success, in fields of their choosing.
Miriam held a first class Master's degree in Law, from the highly coveted Cambridge University in England. She was receiving recognition for her hard work and making positive impact in the communities. Both her and Jack were blessed with three children and came from loving families on both sides. Theirs was a dream.
Their life was actually beyond perfect. God was clearly in everthing that they did; devout and admired Christians.
It was not until 2023, when, as Miriam puts it, her life went from 1,000 to 0. She was diagniosed with Stage 4 colon cancer. After what appeared to be a stomach ache at the end of 2022, she visited doctor after doctor and was tested for typhoid and other infections, until a colonoscopy revealed that she actually had colon cancer.
A revelation of this kind would test anyone's faith as it did indeed test Miriam and Jack. And yet, what happened was a strengthened resolve to build their faith. I do not know how they did it. With over 20 rounds of treatment and over 60 trips to specialists, with physical pain that could only best be described as hell within hell and bills that amounted to over half a billion Uganda shillings (over 150,000 USD).
How does a couple that has lived a worthy life, generous and loved, gifted in every way, overcome such devastation. How do they survive this!
Miriam spoke of pains that came from every pore of her body. The anguish she experienced was actuall hell within hell. And et she still continued in prayer. Jack prayed ceaselessly for his wife, and together with relatives, they accompanied Miriam on the frequent trips for treatment and care.
The faith that saw them through this was similar to the faith that Abraham had when he trusted God to the point of giving up his only promised son. And God blessed Abraham because of his faith.
The faith that Miriam had was similar to Hannah's, who cried for significant time for God to remove her barrenness. And He did.
Miriam and Jack had a faith that only comes with a promise.
It has been a very long time since I listened to people of faith testifying with such passion, sharing God's word with such earnestness and believing so strongly in the Living Word.
This loving coupld did not fundraise for treatment. Trusting in faith, all the medical bills were cleared. In the midst of this hurricane, their faith saw them through.
When Iistened to the story, I no longer felt sad that Miriam passed away. I felt encouraged. Miriam's life was fulfilled. Jack and the children are in safe hands with God.
I would like to thank Miriam for sharing her story of faith. Even though she is no longer with us on earth, her faith continues to move mountains.
Bless.
Beverley N Nsengiyunva
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