At the height of the COVID-19 health crisis, tears were flowing. For some, they were tears of sadness and anguish following the loss of a loved one. For others, they were tears of joy following recovery. Recovering from coronavirus meant surviving fear and the cold sweats of uncertainty. Above all, it meant becoming a symbol and a sign of hope. While some people were tested, many others had to undergo treatment because they displayed all the symptoms. Such was the case of Pastor Njock David Vivian, president of the West Cameroon Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. A married man in his forties and the father of three wonderful children, he is a survivor who agreed to share his experience with us.
Hello, Pastor Njock David Vivian! In carrying out your responsibilities, you were on the front line in managing the COVID-19 crisis. How did you organize the Church?
Thank you. Hello! First, we raised awareness among our members about observing the preventive measures prescribed by the Government of Cameroon. Then, we followed the Church's instructions regarding the organization of worship services, including the closure of churches, particularly in the cities affected by the pandemic. Finally, we organized a ministry of proximity to provide pastoral follow-up for our members.
We supported members through social media, with devotional messages and online Bible studies, as well as occasional visits and assistance for seriously ill members and bereaved families. Fortunately, most of our members are organized into families and small groups where all the Church's weekly programs—Wednesday, Friday, and Sabbath—are held, with regular participation by our members.
At present, we have launched the project “I Am My Brother’s Keeper,” whose objective is to provide food packages to the most vulnerable. To date, 483 people have benefited from this initiative. This is also an opportunity to thank the donors who have contributed to this effort.
On the night of Thursday, May 7, 2020, you were admitted to a hospital in the city of Douala. Did you suspect that you had contracted the virus? Tell us how you ended up in the hospital.
Yes, indeed. I had already been bedridden for nearly two weeks. I was taking antimalarial medication prescribed by several physician friends. Later, I began feeling unwell, with severe chest pains, and I was advised to urgently undergo a CT scan. The results raised suspicions of COVID-19. That is the only test result I have in my possession to this day.
Nevertheless, based on those results and the physical symptoms I was experiencing, I was admitted to the COVID-19 treatment center, where I was immediately taken care of. At that moment, I knew that my life was now in God's hands, considering the suffering I was witnessing around me. Fortunately, three days later, I was feeling much better, although I was still tired.
What do you know about the circumstances in which you contracted the novel coronavirus?
I do not really know how it happened. We are exposed, and our homes are located within Church compounds where many people come and go. Our wives go to the market. Our children go to the shops, and we ourselves continued to provide services in our offices. I do not know how it happened. Yet we were in the midst of a pandemic.
Around you, some patients were dying while others, of course, were surviving. You must have had opportunities to interact with patients or medical personnel. What left the strongest impression on you?
I saw suffering, sorrow, despair, and death in that hospital. I was privileged to pray for the nurses who were caring for us and to assist two patients who needed help.
What struck me most was the dedication of some nurses and doctors who spent entire hours resuscitating a patient or who had to assist some patients with their personal hygiene, even washing them themselves. Alongside all these efforts, distress caused some patients to become violent and disrespectful toward these men and women who, despite their fear of being infected, devoted themselves to saving lives.
This is an opportunity to pay tribute to all the healthcare workers who supported us during those difficult moments.
How did your family and you experienced those moments?
God sustained us, and we are grateful to Him. My family was afraid of losing me. The children cried and wanted me to come home as soon as possible. The nights were particularly difficult for each of them. Every evening, I had to reassure them through long phone calls and pray with them. It was difficult and stressful! I would like to thank them for all the love and affection they showed me.
While social media was buzzing with reports that you had contracted COVID-19, how were you feeling? Did you receive any help during this crisis?
Although the social media activity was somewhat inappropriate, it was also somewhat helpful to us because everyone who heard the news supported us in prayer, and some even provided financial assistance. My phone was filled with messages, even from people I did not know. I realized that I am part of a large family.
For the more superstitious among them, there were also those who warned me to be careful of enemies around me. Nevertheless, I urge everyone to be careful with other people's privacy. We can unintentionally destroy someone's reputation or even harm them before their time.
The day you were discharged from the hospital must have been remarkable. Did you embrace your wife and children, or did you observe the preventive measures? Tell us about that memorable day.
I left the hospital on Tuesday, May 12. It was already surprising to the medical staff and even to the other patients I had met there. I am grateful to the Lord, who once again demonstrated that He is in control of our destinies.
I did not deprive my family of my presence, and I have remained with them to this day. I also benefited from traditional African remedies, which have been helpful to us. We are doing relatively well and are less afraid of COVID-19, while remaining cautious.
A few days after leaving the hospital, how are you now carrying out your pastoral ministry?
For the moment, I am confined between my office, my family, and physical exercise. I encourage our members through sermons shared on social media; I believe they are happy to follow me! We also have members who call to receive advice and prayer.
Finally, I have become a counselor for anyone who suspects that they may have COVID-19.
The worldwide Seventh-day Adventist Church's response to the COVID-19 crisis and its guidelines must certainly have inspired you. Ultimately, what has been the impact of this pandemic on your West Cameroon field?
I believe the Seventh-day Adventist Church is contributing as much as it can, especially by raising awareness among its members and supporting pastors through social media. We also thank the Communication Department of the Cameroon Union for the many programs it has made available to us.
The West Cameroon Conference has seen its members mobilized in small groups and families. Apart from the difficulties of personal evangelism, moving throughout the territory, and conducting the various departmental programs, the members have remained quite disciplined.
We recorded about ten suspected cases which, to date, are doing very well after taking medications prescribed by doctors, without neglecting traditional African remedies, which have also been helpful here.
Financially, we thank the Lord for the members who have remained faithful to God. We are far from reaching our goals, but God is watching over and caring for His work.
Thank you for agreeing to testify about the power of God manifested in your healing.
