After a very quiet night in the Jambo Hotel without the rest of my fantastic
team I met Bosco and after running a few errands, as is his way, we ended up at
Lake Tanginiyka looking for a spot for me to hang out for the weekend. Bosco
and I chatted and he asked me about what it would be like going home. I said I
hoped to go back with a different outlook but I was also anxious about changing
jobs coming up from working with cancer to working with mental health. Bosco
then said "I had cancer 10 years ago". I remember Dr Aline saying
that if you got cancer in Burundi the treatment available were basically
surgery and/or painkillers. Regarding chemotherapy/radiotherapy etc you had to
be able to afford to fly to India to pay for treatment there. For the average Burundian
this is about as likely as flying to the moon.
I asked more and Bosco went on to say he had been vomitting for a couple of weeks and had seen a Doctor who diagnosed stomach cancer. He needed 100,000 Burundi Francs to pay the deposit for treatment and it should start within 30 days to stop further growth. At the time Bosco was receiving 3000 BFs a month student grant and topping this up through work. He said he simply couldn't afford it. He then said he prayed for 3 days. Bosco said he advised God that he was His and ready to accept His will. On the third day in mid prayer he fell to the floor and said he heard Gods voice saying "Bosco you are healed".
He went to church the next day still weak from not eating properly for sometime and again collapsed. This time he said he 'vomited' but nothing physical come out just he could see something that resembled a black cloud of flies. Bosco then heard God speaking again "Bosco you are healed". He went home and then ate solid food for the first time in 3 weeks. Bosco then returned to the hospital and saw the Doctor - he said that after running tests he was flabbergasted as there was no signs of cancer.
After telling this story Bosco smiled at me and said 'God gave me life'.
I was stunned... Bosco then gave me an impromptu service in the car park of a hotel about faith and how it works in his life and it can in anyone's Not for the first time on this trip I was left in tears as we said goodbye. Dr Aline and her family and Bosco and his have really shown me how faith can work. Now I need to try it for myself.
I asked more and Bosco went on to say he had been vomitting for a couple of weeks and had seen a Doctor who diagnosed stomach cancer. He needed 100,000 Burundi Francs to pay the deposit for treatment and it should start within 30 days to stop further growth. At the time Bosco was receiving 3000 BFs a month student grant and topping this up through work. He said he simply couldn't afford it. He then said he prayed for 3 days. Bosco said he advised God that he was His and ready to accept His will. On the third day in mid prayer he fell to the floor and said he heard Gods voice saying "Bosco you are healed".
He went to church the next day still weak from not eating properly for sometime and again collapsed. This time he said he 'vomited' but nothing physical come out just he could see something that resembled a black cloud of flies. Bosco then heard God speaking again "Bosco you are healed". He went home and then ate solid food for the first time in 3 weeks. Bosco then returned to the hospital and saw the Doctor - he said that after running tests he was flabbergasted as there was no signs of cancer.
After telling this story Bosco smiled at me and said 'God gave me life'.
I was stunned... Bosco then gave me an impromptu service in the car park of a hotel about faith and how it works in his life and it can in anyone's Not for the first time on this trip I was left in tears as we said goodbye. Dr Aline and her family and Bosco and his have really shown me how faith can work. Now I need to try it for myself.
Jon Ruchpaul
Wow John, got Bosco'd again! Missed seeing you Friday with the others but hoping/praying the rest of your trip is as amazing as the first half. God bless, and catch up soon, the Girdlers. (including Dan who has withdrawal symptoms I think!)
ReplyDeleteYes we've all been super boscoed this trip! Look forward to catching up in sunny reigate! Say mais oui to dan for me! Jon :-)
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