Burned and Broken, but Not Defeated: Okwiri Yosefam’s Journey to Healing and Restoration
“God has restored my health, reunited my family, and given us hope for the future.”
My name is Okwiri Yosefam, and I come from Kibuli in Kampala. Today, I have come with my family to testify about the goodness of God and what we believe He has done in our lives through the ministry of Brother Ronnie Makabai.
This is my story.
The Accident That Changed Everything
Some time ago, I experienced a terrible accident at home.
I fell onto a saucepan that was boiling with beans. The beans and hot liquid spilled over me, and the fire followed. I was severely burned on the left side of my body—from my head down to my hand and ribs.
At the time of the accident, I lost consciousness.
My wife, Jennifer, heard me crying out, “Oh Jesus! Lord Jesus!” She came out to see what was happening and found me lying on the floor, surrounded by the spilled beans, soup, and fire.
She tried to pull me away, but I did not understand what was happening. Eventually, she managed to get me away from the fire and helped me sit up.
That was when I began to regain consciousness.
When she told me what had happened, I realized that the entire left side of my body had been badly burned.
The Pain Became Unbearable
About 15 minutes later, I started feeling extremely weak.
The pain became intense. I could barely stand, and the pain seemed to spread through my body. My family decided that I needed to be taken to the hospital immediately.
At the hospital, I received first aid and was examined. The doctors found that my blood pressure was very high. I was given medication and treated for the burns.
But even after treatment, the pain continued.
The nights were especially difficult.
I could hardly find a comfortable position to sleep. The burned side of my head was extremely painful, and I experienced problems around my ear. Even lying down became a struggle.
For several days in hospital, I endured severe pain.
My hand was also badly affected. I could not stretch it properly. Whenever I tried to move, bend, or straighten it, I felt intense pain.
It felt as though everything was tied together.
These medical documents show that I was hospitalized and treated for the burns.
“I Wanted to Come to Holy City”
Despite the medical treatment I had received, I continued to suffer.
Eventually, I decided to go to Peace Centre at Holy City because I wanted Bro. Ronnie Makabai to pray for me.
My faith was that Jesus Christ could work through prayer and bring healing.
When the man of God prayed for me, I experienced what I describe as an instant healing.
Before the prayer, I could hardly move my hand.
But afterward, I was able to move it.
I could shake it.
Everyone could see the difference.
The Man of God had witnessed how badly I had been affected by the burns, and I believe God touched my life during that prayer.
Hallelujah! Praise Jesus!
I thank the Lord for healing me.
A Prophecy About My Children
But my testimony did not end with my physical recovery.
During the prayer, Bro. Ronnie Makabai also spoke about children around me. He said he was seeing an issue involving children.
At first, I listened carefully.
Then I realized that what he was saying connected with my life.
I have many children—about 15 in total, although not all of them are here today. They were born to different mothers, and for a long time, it was extremely difficult for me to have all of them with me.
Some of the mothers would not allow me to take the children.
Whenever I tried to bring some of them home, there would be disagreements and conflict.
It seemed almost impossible.
But something began to change.
My Children Came Back Home
I had children living with different mothers and families.
Then, unexpectedly, the very people who had previously refused to let me have the children began calling me.
They started saying:
“Come and take your child.”
One by one, the children began coming back to me.
Within about a year, I was able to have many of my children together.
Today, they are here with me.
Among them is my son Israel.
Israel is particularly important to this testimony because of a frightening incident that happened to him.
According to the family, the child had been buried alive, but was later discovered after his mother went looking for firewood and heard him crying. She found that only his head remained above the ground.
He survived.
And today, Israel is here with me.
For our family, his survival is another reason to give thanks to God.
“God Gave Me My Children Back”
I never imagined that I would see all these children together.
Some of them had been difficult for me to reach. Some families did not want to release them to me.
There were times when I was also struggling financially and could not provide enough support.
But things changed.
The same people who had previously rejected my requests began calling me and asking me to come and take my children.
Some of the children were given to me freely.
Today, I look around and see them here with me.
That brings me great joy.
Then God Provided for Their Future
I soon realized that bringing my children home was only the beginning.
Children needed food, clothing, medical care and, most importantly, they needed education.
I asked myself, “God, what happens next?”
At the time, my income was very limited. I was earning about 220,000ugx (54.56$) , but I knew that supporting such a large family would require much more.
Then another door opened.
Within a short time, I received a connection concerning school bursaries.
I responded to the opportunity, and my children were able to receive bursaries.
They were scheduled to report to school, but before everything was completed, I felt that I had to come and testify.
I had to tell people what I believe God had done for my family.
God did not stop at restoring my health.
He helped bring my children together.
He opened doors for their education.
And He continued providing for our family.
My Wife Stands With Me
My wife, Kansiime Jennifer, has also been part of this journey.
She confirms that I was severely burned and that the hospital was the first place we sought help.
When the pain continued, she supported my decision to come to Holy City Peace Centre.
She says that after Bro. Ronnie Makabai prayed for me, she witnessed what she describes as an immediate change in my condition.
But she also witnessed the restoration of our family.
Today, she stands with me and accepts these children as her own.
I am deeply grateful to her.
I have many children, but she has chosen to embrace them.
She has accepted them as part of our family.
That is something I will always appreciate.
A Family Reunited
Today, when I look around, I see something I once thought would be impossible.
My children are together.
My wife is standing with me.
I am able to move the hand that was once severely burned.
And our family has new opportunities for the children’s education and future.
For me, this is a story of restoration, believing that tomorrow can be different from yesterday.
“God Has Done It”
I give all the glory and honor to the God of Bro. Ronnie Makabai.
I thank Jesus Christ for what I believe He has done in my life and in my family.
I thank my wife for standing with me.
I thank everyone who prayed with us.
And I thank Bro. Ronnie Makabai for the ministry and prayers that have been part of our journey.
This is our testimony.
And we give all the glory and honor to God.
