Written by: Sophia Roman
Article source: JOY! Magazine
“…And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up.” – James 5:20
Many years ago, Reginald survived a freak accident while travelling in a taxi. Six people were killed in the accident, and today Reggie still stands in awe of God’s grace.
Two months after the crash, doctors discovered that both of Reggie’s kidneys were failing. He had to immediately go on dialysis treatment. This came as a shock, but doctors told him that it was due to the accident. Yvonne, his wife of 38 years, knew that this was the season of “…in sickness and in health”. Reggie had to endure dialysis for three months, in four-hour sessions. Discouragement seeped in so many times. Questions of “why” came up countless times too. Yvonne’s support and prayers carried him through, day by day.
Sent home to die
Reggie’s kidneys were deteriorating until the inevitable happened – doctors
sent him home to die. Reginald remembers reading the letter they sent him home with. It stated that “this patient” was busy dying and there was nothing more they could do to help him. The news hit his family hard.
The call that changed their life
It was on a Sunday afternoon when a call came from a hospital in Cape Town. There was a motorbike accident where a young man had sadly passed away – he was a registered organ donor and had viable kidneys. Whether or not they would be a match for Reggie was the big question. Yvonne and Reginald travelled all the way from King Williams Town while praying, arriving at the hospital on the Monday morning. After all the tests, it turned out that the kidney was a perfect fit.
This could only be a miracle!
Great excitement and deep joy filled the hearts of the Apel family. Doctors had already told them that it takes close to fifteen years on a waiting list to find a perfect match. This could only have been God’s orchestration. After the operation, doctors were pleased with the results – the only challenge was that he would not be able to conceive a child.
Miracles still happen
Today, Reggie believes that God answered the prayers of those who prayed for him. It was not about who prayed, but about the prayers of faith. He and Yvonne did not know Jesus as Lord and Saviour at the time, but they strongly believed that Jesus was the only answer for his healing.
God’s wonder and favour
This miracle led Yvonne and Reginald to accept Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. They were convinced that Jesus is the only way, truth, and life – and He still answers prayers of faith… Three years after the kidney transplant, Yvonne fell pregnant – and gave birth to a healthy baby boy, Ryno. The Apel family has been serving the Lord ever since.
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Date published: 07/01/2023
Feature image: Reginald & Yvonne Apel, and Ryno Apel, their miracle son
SOPHIA ROMAN – pioneer, visionary and life transformation coach. Sophia and her husband Theo pastor the West Reach AOG Church in Mitchells Plain.
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