YALLAHS, St Thomas:
Growing up, we have always heard the many stories of healing that happened on different occasions in the Bible - the woman with the issue of blood who was made whole, the blind man who confessed to have received sight, the leper who was cleansed of his sores and ailments - but how many real-life occurrences of healing have you witnessed or heard about?
Britney* is a living testimony of a modern-day healing and a strong believer in the power and abilities of Jesus Christ.
"I was a fat child, but, when I was 14 years old, I began losing a lot of weight. I was also urinating more often than usual. My grandmother noticed and decided to bring me to get a check-up. When I went, I did a few tests and was told that I was diabetic," recounted Britney.
She told Family and Religion that: "I was put on diet. I was advised by the doctor to take insulin two times per day. I was only 14 years old and had to be injecting myself with needles in the morning and in the evening. I was even admitted at the hospital for about a week and a half."
As she recalled the details, Britney explained that the diabetes was unsteady because she was not adhering to the recommended diet.
"At times, when I was at school and I didn't eat on time, I'd feel dizzy and start to sweat abnormally. At one point, I was taken to the school nurse and she brought me to a nearby clinic for treatment," she said.
This continued for approximately two months after which she was invited to church by her aunt, who was a Christian.
"Her church was having a convention. While the pastor was preaching, he warned that God is coming and everyone needs to get ready for His return," said Britney, explaining that she was touched by the pastor's message.
According to her: "I didn't make up my mind to get saved the same night, but one night when I was home, I got a vision that I was in the element (clouds), and I looked down and saw people running away. A song was being played. The words said: "People get ready, Jesus is coming to take everyone home." I woke up from my sleep. I went to church that Sunday morning and decided that I was going to get baptised."
Britney says she gave her life to the Lord. All this time, she was still administering the insulin two times per day.
"I remember one Tuesday night, the pastor was preaching and said (that) anybody who wants a healing from God should come to the altar. I went and he prayed for me. He prayed and then told me to stop taking the insulin because I was healed in Jesus' name and I believed in my healing," she said, adding that she listened to the pastor and discontinued injecting herself.
Approximately a month later, Britney was contacted by the hospital and told that a research on juvenile diabetes is being done by the University of the West Indies and that they'd like her to participate.
She agreed. "They tested my urine, blood sugar, and a few other aspects. A few weeks later, I went back for the results. I was told that no sugar was found in my urine and that everything was fully functioning. I wasn't a diabetic. The doctor was puzzled, asking what happened and what I did to get rid of the sickness. I told him the truth. I gave my life to the Lord and He healed me," said Britney as she smiled with admiration.
The now 30-year-old woman says she has never had to repeat the insulin treatment.
"I strongly believe in Christ and that He can work miracles because I was healed from my disease. All you have to do is put your trust and your faith in the living God because He is real," Britney testified.
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