RESTORATION

A true testimony of God’s restoration and healing power.

Deborah Nzohabonayo, a young Christian woman, has been walking with the Lord since a teenager. She was born in Africa - both mother and father being born-again believers, she grew up in a loving Christian home. Sitting down with Pastor Anita Joe, she tells her extraordinary testimony of how God brought her from the brink of death and healed her from a horrifying debilitating disease.

May this story encourage you and strengthen your faith to believe for the impossible.

Suavis Deborah Nzohabonayo; before

Here’s her story…

I never thought I’d encounter a disease like cancer. I was a young adult, holding a job that I enjoyed and working in a Christian ministry caring for the extremely poor. During the year of 2011 and 2012, I had received revelation on three different occasion saying; I was going to be cured from a terrible disease that is ravaging human lives in the world and that the Lord will be with me. At that time, I didn’t know what to make of it. I really didn't believe it because I had no symptoms to speak of. I was feeling as healthy as I could be.

In 2013, I felt a slight discomfort in my body that was very unusual. I didn’t understand the cause. The discomfort repeated four time in one week. It was imperative that I see a doctor. During my visit, my physician began to perform different test based on my symptoms. When the final results came in, I was informed that I had stage-two cancer present in the cells of my body. This terrifying news made me lose control of myself because I thought I had been handed a death sentence. At this time, all my family was living far away in Africa, while I resided in America alone. Nevertheless, I held on to my faith, trusting that the Lord would see me through this.

Blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance

of those things which were told her. -Luke 1:45

God is not a man, that He should lie: neither the son of man,

that He should repent: -Number 23:19

After reading these verses, I recalled the word of knowledge given to me previously and believed that it was time for God to fulfill His promise to heal me. Blessed be the name of the Lord!

As I continually reviewed in my mind with God’s Word, I regained an inner peace with great comfort that no one who knew me could believe.

God’s ways are always peace and not misfortune. Therefore, I never questioned Him – why me? We must understand that God does allow things to happen to accomplish His will. What ever that is.

The next step was to fight for the cancer treatment. I was without medical insurance and couldn’t afford to pay for chemotherapy. I endured a very tough battle, but I came out victorious. Through my primary care physician, I had the privilege of being introduced to a Christian organization that intervened in my circumstance. They took on my medical expenses and paid my financial debt in full.

And Abraham called the name of the place Jehoveh-jireh:(the Lord will provide) as it is said to this day… -Genesis 23:14

A few days later, I was preparing for an appointment to receive a chemotherapy treatment when a revelation from God came to me again saying; You will come out of it safe; and that even the doctors will be surprised of what will happen to you.

In the meantime, I decided to hide this uncomfortable news from my entire family, and friends to preserve their emotions. How wrong I was! I began to experience severe weakness after undergoing treatment. Many issues relating to side-affects followed. One which I’ll never forget. One morning as I gazeinto the mirror, I didn’t recognize myself. All of my hair was completely gone. OH, dear God…it was difficult for me to cope, I was in shock. But, I looked to the Father and began to praise Him despite all. One week later, I regretted keeping my illness to myself, thinking “how can I handle these difficult times independent from my loved ones.

Face to Face with Death

My Oncologist scheduled two intense chemo treatments once every three weeks for four months straight. While I survived the first medical transfusion without any problems, the second was completely the opposite. The side effects were very aggressive. Everything that could go wrong, did. I remember being very amazed at the situation before being transported to the hospital. My appetite was completely gone from me. Even after two weeks passed and I was still unable to eat or drink. I was anemic and severely dehydrated. Through it all, I survived.

A few hours later, I was admitted to the hospital. I had then slipped into a coma. The nurses move me into the intensive care unit. There, my life was sustained by artificial means. The doctor’s connected me to a breathing machine. It was in this state that I encountered the presence of God.

Two months later I was informed that the doctors and everyone who came to see me in the ICU saw signs of death on me. The doctors told my family that there was no way they could revive me. It was obvious that I was at deaths door. Medically, they had done all that they could do. Lastly, the doctor’s plans were to disconnect me from life support, but they changed their minds and decided against it altogether. During this time, close family members and the Christian community; those near and across the globe, began to petition God to perform a healing miracle for me.

While the news spread that I was dead, my family and Christian friends were conducting a meeting to prepare for my funeral.

The Day I Came Back to Life

Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeed which she did. (37) and it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. (38) And forasmuch as Lydda was near to Joppa and Peter was there, they sent to him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. (39) then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. (40) But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down: and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. -Acts 9:36-40

Unbeknown to them, I was having an out of body experience right where I lay in the ICU. I saw myself in a very beautiful place. I notice how clean it was, as I heard wonderful songs that glorified God. I encountered this every morning and evening. I felt so happy. I could also see the hospital staff walking around. They came near to speak to me. I saw others who walked in the room and they were well dressed. I could recognize their voices and their physical appearance. I explained my encounter to my doctor’s. But they assured me that I was almost dead when this was going on and that it could not be possible because my eyes were continually closed. But I know that I could see. My experience was real.

One day in May of 2013, I woke up just like I came from an ordinary sleep. Oh, how I like this day! I saw beside me a person I knew to whom my heart is so thankful for his accompaniment during these trying times. I remember all the words he addressed to me. My friend was so excited to witness what just happened to me. The medical staff rushed in, seeing that I was awake from the deadly comma. Most seemed as though they didn’t understand the miraculous work of God. It was clearly written on their face “How is it possible that the woman woke up?” But, I was awake, by the power God! Since then I’ve been named; Tabitha or Lazarus.

God thunders marvellously with His voice; great things does He which we cannot comprehend. -Job 37:5

Weeks later, I left the hospital but I had to learn how to walk all over again. In addition to having to cope with the damaging side-effects of the chemotherapy. One month later my Oncologist rescheduled me to resume treatments. At this point my family members were afraid that I may not survive and advised me against it. “Don’t ever think about chemotherapy” they said. But my inner voice of the Holy Spirit spoke to me and said “No, you won’t die, you will live because I am with you.” His words strengthened me. I felt very strong and was ready to face another episode of chemo.

During this time, I constantly prayed to God. He bestowed upon me His peace and blessing. I couldn’t even comprehend the idea of misfortunes. After three months, it turned out to be a success. Following, I underwent a surgery that completed my treatment. It too was a success.

Shortly after I arrived home, I received a phone call from the Hospital. It was my surgeon, informing me that I was cancer free. Every test taken showed that all traces of cancer was gone! Praise be to God. I am healthy…

“Dear reader, God is present and

does miracles where there is faith.”

Again I will build you, and you shall be built, O virgin of Israel:

you again be adorned with your tabrets, and shall go forth in the

dances of them that make merry. -Jeremiah 31:4

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah! Suavis Deborah Nzohabonayo; after