“He delivers and rescues, and He works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth…” Daniel 6:27

Linet’s Story

As I walked through the door of Kimbilio Hospice leading to the veranda outside, my eyes immediately noticed a hospital bed positioned alongside the left wall (as it is not usually there). A woman lay comfortably on the bed wearing a warm, woolen hat and covered in blankets throughout the Monday morning staff devotion, and my eyes kept turning toward her. As we sang songs of praise, she also sang and clapped her hands. As the chaplain shared Scripture, she flipped the pages of her Bible to find the Scripture and read along. My curiosity was aroused. Who is this woman? What is her story?

As usual at the conclusion of the devotion, the chaplain welcomed the staff to share any announcements. Caroline, the clinician on-duty, stood up and began to share about the highs and lows they experienced at Kimbilio over the weekend. She focused on the “high” of Sunday’s worship service and proceeded to welcome the woman lying in the hospital bed to share. With a great sense of joy in her voice, she began to share:

“My name is Linet. Yesterday, I saw the Lord and my spirit has been renewed. I came to Kimbilio two months ago in excruciating pain and with multiple wounds. I have stage 4 breast cancer and am no longer able to walk as it has spread to my spinal cord. Since arriving here, I have stayed inside the room, and the only thing I looked at was the roof and the right side of the wall. Though the staff kept wanting to wheel me outside, I did not want to go…until yesterday morning, with the continued encouragement of the staff, I agreed. They wheeled me outside to this veranda and my eyes were completely amazed by what I saw. Blue sky. Bright shining sun. Fluffy white clouds. Colorful flowers. Green grass. Huge trees. Through the beauty, God reminded me that I am His child and He created me in His own image. My heart is overflowing with joy and gratitude. I came here with unbearable pain. My pain is now gone. I am happy and I believe Kimbilio is my place of refuge. I was even able to taste boiled maize from the Kimbilio farm. A few months ago, I couldn’t have imagined that I would still be alive at this season when the maize would be ready for eating. I am so grateful to God.”

When Linet finished sharing, she asked the team of Kimbilio’s caregivers to join her in singing one of her favorite hymns. They joyfully sang and danced around Linet’s hospital bed as Linet, with a radiant smile on her face, clapped her hands. As the song ended, there was a pause—almost like a moment of silence as everyone took a moment to soak in the presence of God permeating this space. What a precious gift to experience God through Linet’s story.

Oh Lord, how mighty are Your works among us! We declare Your greatness in every  season, every nation, every home, and every person. Thank You.