A Friend’s Faith in Patrick’s Darkest Hour
Sometimes life can change in a moment. One minute you are celebrating with friends and family, and the next, you are fighting for your life.
My name is David Ebu, from Kalerwe, and beside me today is my dear friend Patrick, someone I have known for about four years.
I want to share Patrick’s story—a story of illness, prayer, faith, and what our community believes was a remarkable recovery.
The Day Everything Changed
Patrick had gone to attend a graduation ceremony at Makerere University in January last year. He had informed members of his family that he was attending the celebration.
Around 7 p.m., however, the family received a frightening phone call: Patrick had collapsed and lost consciousness.
He was rushed to the nearest clinic, but his condition was too serious for them to manage. He was then transferred to Victoria Hospital.
Patrick was completely unconscious. According to his family, he could not recognize people or understand what was happening around him. He was eventually diagnosed with a stroke and depression and remained under medical care for several days.
He became paralyzed and was unable to do things for himself.
When Victoria Hospital could no longer manage his condition, Patrick was referred to Mulago Hospital Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
A Friend Visits Patrick
When Patrick’s wife told me that I could visit him at Mulago, I went to see him.
What I saw was heartbreaking.
Patrick was still in a coma. Tubes surrounded him, helping with different aspects of his care. He could not speak to me, recognize me, or respond normally.
I spoke with his wife and asked whether I could pray for him using the holy water I had received through Bro. Ronnie Ministries.
She agreed.
I took the water, sprinkled it on Patrick, and prayed for him, saying:
“Patrick, through this holy water, be healed.”
According to what we witnessed, Patrick suddenly reacted. He moved and pulled out one of the tubes that had been helping him.
The medical staff were surprised by what had happened and asked what had caused the reaction.
I did not have an explanation. I simply continued to pray.
The following day, the family received encouraging news: Patrick’s condition had improved.
For us, it was a moment to give glory to God.
2 Kings 5:10 Elisha sent a messenger to Him, saying, Go and wash in the Jordan seven times and your flesh will be restored to you and you will be clean.
God has used water as a medium to cleanse illness throughout in the Bible and today he uses the same medium to bring forth healing.
John 9:7
After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. 7 “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.
The Journey Continued
Patrick still had a long road ahead.
His family continued caring for him while we stayed in contact and encouraged them through prayer. They also continued using the lholy water as part of their faith practice.
Doctors recommended that Patrick recover in a quieter environment, away from excessive noise. He was eventually transferred from Mulago to Arua Regional Referral Hospital.
We continued checking on him.
Whenever there were special Sundays and opportunities to send the family the holy water, we did so. The reports we received were that Patrick was continuing to improve.
Slowly, his condition changed.
He began regaining his senses.
He began responding.
And, eventually, he recovered.
Patrick Returns
Today, Patrick is here with me.
Last week, when he came from Terego, he told me something that touched my heart.
He said that before doing anything else, he wanted to know where the water came from and who had prayed over it.
So I called him and told him to prepare himself.
I was taking him to the church where I had received the holy water.
He wanted to meet the Man of God who had prayed over it.
And today, Patrick is here.
For us, this is a powerful testimony of faith and gratitude.
Patrick Tells His Story
Patrick describes the experience in his own words.
He remembers having a headache while attending the graduation celebration. Shortly afterward, he collapsed.
He says he remembers nothing about what happened after that until he woke up.
When he regained consciousness, he could not even recognize himself properly. He could feel that his body was wet and began asking his wife what had happened and where the water had come from.
His family told him that it was the holy water from Bro. Ronnie Ministries.
For Patrick, that became an important part of his story.
He decided that he had to come to the church personally to express his gratitude.
“I am very, very happy to be here,” Patrick says. “I have wanted to come for a long time. I came to thank God and to thank everyone who prayed for me.”
He gives glory to Jesus for his recovery.
The Medical Records
Patrick’s family also brought medical documents relating to his hospitalization and diagnosis.
The records identify him as Abiraga Patrick, and document his treatment following the medical emergency. These documents further reveal the stroke and how he was being managed for it.
From the time he became seriously ill in January until his return today, Patrick’s journey has been one that has deeply inspired his friends and family.
The message from Patrick’s testimony is simple:
From the perspective of faith, prayer can become a source of strength when circumstances seem impossible.
Patrick was unable to pray for himself when he was unconscious. His friends and family prayed on his behalf and continued believing that his situation could change.
Today, he is able to stand, speak, remember, and share his story
We give thanks to God of Bro. Ronnie Makabai for Patrick’s life and for the people who stood beside him throughout his difficult journey.
Glory and honor to Jesus.
And to everyone facing a difficult season: do not lose hope.
Your story may not be over yet.
