AYEBA NUA

Ayeba Nua simply means – Thank God. Have you thanked Him today?

Sometimes it seems like nothing is going right, but He makes ALL things beautiful in His time. Look at my Dad. In a few days he will be 80 years old. No one ever thought he would make it this far. No way, not with everything he has been through, but he’s not only made it, he is well and has defied medical reports time and again.

I remember that very first stroke more than 13 years ago and how a part of him was paralyzed; all of a sudden he couldn’t do things for himself. My once vibrant, handsome, life-loving father got lost in a body that struggled to function. It was painful to watch, but as we watched and prayed, we saw the hand of God touch him and revive him. A once paralyzed body came fully back to life. We carried on for a few years like it had never even happened.

When the next stroke came, it was devastating. This time the doctors were certain that he wouldn’t make it. Along with dealing with the stroke we dealt with Diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and an enlarged prostate. How does one recover from so many illnesses all at the same time?

I remember the fear each time my phone rang, or my doorbell rang. What a scary crazy moment. He went through surgery and somehow survived that against all odds. He pulled through 4 different strokes after that, each one leaving him the worse for wear than the last one did. Everyone said what a strong man he was – determined to live, but I knew God was at work in Him, to will and to do of His good pleasure. To craft out a moment where we look back and see Him at work in all of this so that we can say ‘Ayeba Nua o!’

I remember my visit early in 2009 – our conversation was stilted. He thought I was his sister, we were back in the village sharing the meal his mum prepared engaged in some sort of sibling rivalry, there I was not upsetting the cart, playing along, pretending indeed to be his sister. I left that day consoling myself saying ‘at least, he’s still alive, he may never ever remember me but he’s still alive. The doctors said that’s what Alzheimer’s does to its victims. Alzheimer’s wouldn’t let go, it was here to stay they said. There’s nothing more we can do, just keep on taking the medications.

Last year I went for another visit. He smiled as soon as he saw me. He asked for my husband by name and my first 2 children. ‘And that 3^rd one – I don’t remember him very well, how is he?’ ‘the 3^rd one is fine Daddy, his name is Mudi and he’s 3 years old now. Of course you don’t remember him well, he was just 3 months when we left’, I said and at the time you were very sick – I silently added.

And now, I look forward to celebrating his 80^th – over a decade more than the doctors predicted he would last. We were like Rhoda in the bible when we prayed, asking God for a miracle but not quite expecting it. Indeed no one can share His glory – He stretched forth His hands and healed all our diseases, while thank you seems so mundane, that’s all I have left to say. Ayeba Nua O! You have done me well.

Ayeba Nua!