02/03/2016
I was tired after a whole day of running around to finalise my preparations. I will be leaving for New Zealand for good on 7/3/2016. At about 9:30 pm, I told my mum I was going to sleep soon. However, at 11:15pm I was awakened by mum’s shouts for me. Dazed, I sat on my bed for few seconds. Opening my bedroom door looking down to the stairs I had the shock of my life that night. My father was lying on the steps in a pool of blood; he told us he was unable to move. My heart pounded so fast. In my heart I told God that He must give me the strength to cope. I am actually scared of blood and the sight of it makes me faint. The Almighty God heard my prayer and I told my mum I needed to call for the ambulance and uncles to help us.

The medical team and my parents’ Cell Group leader lost no time in arriving at our house. To move my dad to the stretcher required special skills. It took them quite a while.

Father was sent to Bintulu General Hospital. At the emergency room the Doctor conducted detailed checks on him. We were later informed by the orthopaedic surgeon that my father had injured his spine and he suffered from a cracked C2 spinal cord swelling at C4 and C5. My heart beat even faster now as the injuries could easily cause paralysis. Deep down in my heart, I prayed to ask the Lord to give me strength. Mum was so upset and soon father was admitted to the male surgical ward for observation due to a forehead cut through which he lost a lot of blood too. Yet the next day, he was transferred to the male orthopaedic Ward for observation. He was put on oxygen

Following are WhatsApp messages I sent to family and friends throughout the trying weeks:

7/3/2016
Praise the Lord that my father is improving. The physiotherapist and the doctor are happy with his progress. Today He is not on oxygen already. He was able to lift his hands and arms better than last Friday. Tomorrow no physiotherapy in the morning to reserve his energy for the afternoon when he needs to learn to sit by himself. His spirit to recover is so strong. Please continue to pray for him to be able to walk and his hands to able to hold and lift things again. Inflammation in his spine to come down. Thanks

8/3/2016
Our God is the God who heals
My father is progressing well. Able to sit for 8 min this morning though a bit imbalanced. Please continue to pray for a speedy recovery for him. That the swellings in the spinal cord swollen will reduce ASAP. Please pray that he can sleep well at night. For a week he hasn’t been sleeping well n at night my mum is looking after him. In the morning she needs to work while I take the ‘day shift’. Hopefully tonight both can rest better. Thanks.

9/3/2017
Dad was able to sit unsupported for 15mins this morning. He also stood up for a while and experienced feeling in his feet. His hands and arms are also improving. Today the medical team is also monitoring his urine output, asking him to control his bladder. Oxygen is totally off now. Please continue to pray he will recover and be able to walk and hold things. His right hand is weak. Our God is ABLE and in charge. Amen.

10/3/2016
Dad was able to sit in the wheelchair for 15 minutes today. Showing great improvement and impressed the physiotherapist. His left hand is stronger than the right. Pray for the right arm and hand to improve as well. Praise The Lord. Now able to control his bladder already . Please pray he will be able to stand and sit by himself. That the swelling in C4 & C5 will reduce and crack on C2 will be totally healed. Great is thy faithfulness!

11/3/2016
God is great. Dad is able to stand for 5 minutes without the support n progressing well. He can breathe n urinate by himself already. I’m truly happy and amazed at the healing from God. The power of prayer is working in him. Continue to pray for all of us as we prepare ourselves to bring him home soon. We need your prayer support. Thanks!

13/3/2016
Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. – Hebrews 7:25 –

14/3/2016
God is good All the time
Dad was able to stand unassisted for a while this morning. Physiotherapist is very happy with his progress. Able to sit longer compared to last week. Continue to pray that he is able to stand n walk again as he gains his strength. Tomorrow at 10 am he will go to the hospital gymnasium to train him to walk and balance himself. Pray for no anxiety but trust in the Lord that he is able to walk again.

15/3/2016
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10

This morning I shared this verse with my daddy. He is getting better. Just had his physiotherapy session at the gymnasium – 45 mins walking (2 rounds) Still need to learn balancing. According to physio, his legs are strong and he just needs to do lots of exercises to regain strength in his leg muscles for a speedier recovery. Pls continue to pray. GBU.

16/3/2016
Dad has been discharged! We rejoice that we are at home now. Pray for him to adapt at home and continue to recover his mobility for hands and arms. Balancing himself to walk again. Also, pray for extra strength for me and mum to look after him. I’m not feeling well today. Hope we will get better rest at home. GBU

Every day at home I help him in his hourly physio work out. Also, reciting Psalm 23 together.

While at home we received a lot of visitors. I remember one morning I was alone at home with my father. He was standing. However he lost his balance and fall down to the floor. I was scared as I shouted to the Lord that I’m unable to pull him up. I heard someone outside our house. God had foreseen our need and had sent a church member to help me. Really Praise the Lord and I rejoice in Him.

On Good Friday, I was able to go to church for the first time after the incident. As I prayed at the prayer vigil God spoke to me through this song “Be Still”. I knew that God was speaking to me that in His time my father will be healed. My brothers were anxious and worried that my father would be unable to be independent in his routines. Yet I was holding on to His promises and hope that my father will be healed by God in His time.

Today my father is able to walk, drive and sit. We spent Christmas together in Auckland, New Zealand. Praise the Lord for his full recovery!
Be Still
Be still for the presence of the Lord
The Holy One is here
Come bow before Him now
With reverence and fear
In Him no sin is found
We stand on holy ground
Be still for the presence of the Lord
The Holy One is here

Be still for the glory of the Lord, is shining all around
He burns with holy fire with splendor He is crowned
How awesome is the sight, our radiant King of light
Be still for the glory of the Lord
Is shining all around

Be still for the power of the Lord is moving in this place
He comes to cleanse and heal, to minister His grace
No work too hard for Him
In faith receive from Him
Be still for the power of the Lord
Is moving in this place
By Christina Sim LT, Auckland, NZ