Coulibaly, Ivory Coast
Paralyzed and helpless – until God called him
Coulibaly was the leader and primary breadwinner for his entire extended family, so when serious illness and paralysis suddenly came upon him, it was a disaster for them as well as him.
“I remember waking up in the morning and my body was shaking. I tried to stand up and I fell down. There were no warning signs and symptoms before this. It happened so unexpectedly. I was told I had kidney failure. After a few years on medication, I started to get better – and then, out of nowhere, I became completely blind for three weeks. My sister and a friend would help me with daily tasks. I prayed to God every day that he would heal me, so that I could feed and provide for my family. Some days I felt like a failure.
I was lying in hospital when one of the nurses gave me a flyer for the CfaN Gospel Campaign. The next day when I was back at home, my daughter gave me another one. And that same day, my sister gave me another one. I knew this was God calling me to receive my healing.”
Coulibaly was helped to the campaign grounds, where his family sat him on the ground.
“I remember as soon as he (the evangelist) said “Amen”, I felt all the pain leave me, and a rushing wind flowed through my body.”
Up onstage, Coulibaly’s sister, who had cared for him so long, was there to bear witness at his side. With a shining face, she confirmed how he had suffered with kidney failure and paralysis for seven terrible years.
Coulibaly told the crowd, “As I was sitting there, I lifted my hand. It was shaking, and I couldn’t understand what was happening. I fell back, and I heard, “Amen!” Then the preacher said, “Do something you could not before.” I tried to lift one foot, and it was very light. So was the other one. So I stood up!”
Before a crowd rejoicing wildly, Coulibaly showed that he could walk freely and unaided for the first time in seven years, his sister beside him, laughing and praising God.
