Written by: Sophia Roman
Article source: JOY! Magazine
The last few months have been an eye opener for each one of us, not only for what has changed in the world, but for what has been challenged in our own lives. No one has the luxury to escape this pandemic. During lockdown, many of our worlds were brought to a pause. Not so, however, for essential workers; those who have to work to meet the basic needs of society. I invite you to journey with me as I introduce to you a wise, passionate, and courageous Winifred Le Fleur. She is a mother, pastor’s wife, and essential worker. She wears these hats gracefully, totally depending on God for her daily strength.
Encountering the coronavirus
Winifred’s daily reality appears to be a warzone, filled with Covid-19 possibilities and several positive diagnoses. Working with people who suffer from different kinds of diseases has been her calling for the last 15 years. Morning by morning, she prepares herself and her staff to go into a social-economic challenged community. Isolation, quarantine, and the new procedures that the coronavirus brought were something extremely different for her. Never did it occur to her that it could happen to any of her staff. They all made sure that they were well protected. The harsh reality struck in April when one of her staff members got infected while doing mass community screening. Winifred was in close contact with her staff and obviously had to go for a test.
When our hope is in Christ, we need not worry. He will guide us.
Isolation was the hardest time
Winifred’s husband, Mark, announced the news to their daughters. The test result was positive. Winifred had the coronavirus. All of a sudden fear gripped them, uncertainty was written all over their faces. Following the procedures, isolation was the hardest step for her as she had to be separated from her family for 14 days. She felt that she had disappointed her family because she had brought this challenge home. Feelings of rejection and anxiety caused questions and allowed doubt to creep in.
Battle of the mind
Why did God allow this? A battlefield with her mind started. She felt like God was stripping her from everything that was important to her. Her purpose for living was gone since this unexpected visitor entered their home. Winifred experienced emotions of unworthiness, fear, loss, and loneliness. She was taunted by several voices at the same time. She could not hear God at all. It felt like He was far removed from her.
Stigmatisation
Winifred is an affectionate mother, and at this point there was no hugging and no touching. It felt like she had leprosy. Lifelessness and a loss of energy increased. Will she eventually die? What if the entire family gets infected?
The power of God’s Word
Nine long days later, a word popped into her mind, “Blindfolded.” Somebody who is blindfolded cannot see where they going. It is like walking in the dark. She pictured a sheep and a Shepherd. What was God saying? In her spirit she could clearly hear: “The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?” – Psalm 27. This became her turnaround from feeling alone and isolated. God’s Word came to minister to her. “Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” – Psalm 119:105. Today, Winifred is healthy and healed. She overcame the virus with Christ by her side.
Reflection: How do you allow God’s word to shine in your dark places? There is hope in Him alone. Email: sophiavrd@gmail.com
Winifred Le Fleur
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Date published: 05/08/2020
Feature image: Winifred and the Touching Nations Staff
Sophia Roman is a pioneer, visionary and life transformation coach. Sophia and her husband, Theo, pastor the West Reach AOG Church in Mitchells Plain.
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