I got to be a part of a really neat story this past week. I'm sure you'll think so too.
After one of our long-time patients prayed to receive Christ a few weeks back, we brought in a local pastor and our chaplain to baptize her, right there in the Health Care Center. Neziwe was far too weak to be moved or to travel, so we had to make due with our Health Care Center's bathtub as the baptismal. Thankfully, the place didn't matter, as it was much more about the declaration of Neziwe's renewed heart and life.
It was a first time for the Health Care Center to hold a baptism, and definitely a first for all the staff here to participate in. Her family came in from far away in the Eastern Cape, and it was truly a privilege for all of us to witness and participate in the declaration she made that day.
At 31 years-old, with end stage HIV, there is very little hope for Neziwe. Yet, she has Hope. Her hope is Jesus Christ. Neziwe is saved, she knows her Lord and she is ready for the life hereafter in Jesus' presence. Soon her pain-filled life here will be no more. Her days upon days in a hospital bed, struggling with every breath will cease, and she will dance on the streets of Heaven with her Maker.
Buried with Christ, rasied with Him to walk in new life, Neziwe went home to be with the Lord just six days later. Her faith now made sight, we rejoiced in the moments we had with her, but rejoice now even more so for the life she now has in heaven. This story isn't a fairy tale. It's not religious mumbo-jumbo or ritual to make anyone feel better. It's fact. It's the story a precious child who is now standing in the intimate presence of the holiest one to ever exist. The face of the Lord ever before Neziwe, she lives in the highest heights of love, never hurts for joy, sits in the still depths of peace and enjoys sweet and pure goodness all the days of her eternal life. I'm sure she has run out of words by now to describe that radiant perfect light that is Christ. May it be the same for you and I when our eyes last close.
*Although I had verbal permission from Neziwe & her family to take these photos, I did not obtain official written consent before she passed. I would ask that you please use your best judgement and not re-post or re-publish these photos. Thanks so much.
This breaks my heart to the 100th degree / ignites an urgency in my heart to share Christ more / makes me praise Jesus that she's no longer suffering.
Yep, what Kaylan said. She's dancing with Jesus now! Praise the Lord