Through the Valley of the Shadow of Death with My Lily 

Posted on by Jennifer Arimborgo

Amazonian Wednesdays 🌴

Lily’s First Night in the ICU


Note: Each Wednesday I pick out a testimony from my years as a missionary here in the Amazon Jungle. Today I have decided to share Part 1 of one of the biggest miracles I have ever experienced, the healing of my youngest daughter. What follows is what I sent out in July 2019 in the midst of the harrowing battle for her life. I will post Part 2 next Wednesday. Meanwhile, if you would like to get the full story, I released a book about it last year, and that information comes at the end of this post. I can never thank God enough for bringing us through those days victoriously!

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“Lily’s airway is closing up. She might die. We are doing everything that we can!”

I never dreamed I would hear a doctor say such words to me. But I did, on 23rd, the night we took our precious little girl into the ER. The memory is a blur. I was frozen in place, pleading with God. Israel was on his knees in the hallway. His hands in the air, he interceded, tears streaming down his face.

With epinephrine and steroids, they saved her. I watched her little chest heaving, gasping for air. Soon afterwards, they intubated her and admitted her to ICU. She’d had a seizure. She was soon diagnosed with severe bacterial pneumonia. They immediately put her into a medically induced coma.

Here we are, seventeen days later at this writing. In that interim, they also found malaria in her blood and successfully eradicated it. In spite of this, she was still not strong enough to get off the ventilator. They decided she needed to be airlifted to Lima for treatment not available in our remote jungle city.

All day on July 6th, we tried to secure an airplane for this purpose. The weather was stormy and flights were not getting in or out. Thousands of prayer warriors stood with us in prayer, petitioning Heaven. God provided a military plane and a brief window in the storm. It was just long enough for the plane to come get us out. Then the storm continued. Far into the next day, no more flights were able to land in Iquitos. Truly, He had opened the skies just for us.

Less than 48 hours later, the doctors here in Lima were able to wean Lily off the ventilator. She is now breathing on her own. Yesterday, she woke up from the coma. She looked so very disoriented. I asked her if she knew who I was. She shook her head, “no.” I’m sure you can imagine how troubling this was! A little while later, she remembered, to my great relief.

Nonetheless, as I write, we have not gotten to the end of this trial. Lily is still quite out of it. Today, she couldn’t tell me how old she was. The doctors say her confusion may be caused by encephalitis or meningitis.

I don’t know if I’ve ever written a newsletter before where it wasn’t yet the glorious end of the story. However, I’m seeing the happy ending with my eyes of faith. I see Lily fully restored to health. I see her running and laughing. I can feel her sweet little arms hugging me.

This is my sustaining word: “NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]” (Heb. 11:1, AMPC).

As of yet, my little girl’s complete healing is not revealed to my senses. But I have the title deed. This is what the title deed says:

She will be home soon.

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You can read the full story in my book, Journey Through the Dark Night: Messages of Hope from the Morning, available here!

 

14 thoughts on “Through the Valley of the Shadow of Death with My Lily ”

    1. Such a wonderful and blessed testimony. I so clearly remember being on a prayer team for your daughter. Because our God has a purpose for our life’s, not even DEATH can change our future ! Len Wisniewski

      Last month, my dear wife of over 40 years, DIED of cardiac arrest at TMC 6 am in the morning ! Taken to ICU, the doctors gave her a 10% chance of survival [with all of her ongoing medical complications for over 20 years]. She was reseditated, was incabated and in a coma with double pneumonia. On the second day, family was there to say goodbye. On the third day, she was sitting up, alert and awake, her restraints removed and all tubes out of her throat !! The doctors had no explanation and Linda could not recall what happened. She spent 30 days in the hospital and is now home recovering. Praise be to God. We get to share in her life for yet another season. Len W.

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      1. WOW! That is absolutely incredible, Len! I am overjoyed for you. Clearly the Father still has a purpose for her here on the earth. Praying for His great encouragement to both of your hearts in Him. You are dearly loved. And it’s a treasure to hear from you! Thank you so deeply for sharing this.

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  3. Thank you for writing this faith testimony. I remember praying and not knowing very much about you only remember spiritually feeling as a mother some of the anxiety and pain of your journey. God knew He led the prayer times. Blessings!

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  4. I remember walking through those days in prayer with you – two mothers on separate sides of the world, united by love for our children and our love for Jesus. Truly, He is our wonderful Lord Who can bring people together when distance separates them. I love hearing about Lily on the occasional times you mention her in your posts and praise God for her healing every time I read about her. God bless you both and the rest of your family, my sister in Christ.

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    1. I sighed happily upon reading your dear words, Mandy. Your beautiful sisterly loved just caused contentment to rise up in my heart. I’m so grateful to belong to His body and to have each other! It’s amazing how in His Spirit geographical distance is such a secondary factor. Thank you with all my heart for this kind and loving comment. May your day overflow with His grace!

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  5. This is so moving, Jennifer! God is truly amazing! I am also holding on to Hebrew 11:1. You, praying for a total stranger like me, is already a miracle. And I truly appreciate it. I also offer my prayers for you and your family. More blessings to you and your family, my sister.

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