An amazing tale of healing

Lusiana Speight (Tuesday, April 12, 2005)

HE makes his way home after a hectic day at school and is still in the hype of playing rugby with his school mates.

Unbeknown to the young, energetic third former, his life was not going to be the same again from that evening.

After dinner, Sekove Maqanatagane, 14 years old then, was restless and could not sleep.

His family did not know what was wrong with him and being the youngest, his parents were worried.

"I couldn't sleep and kept moving about," he said. At daybreak the once full of life teenager was paralysed from the neck down.

"My parents could not take it anymore and took me to hospital."

It is every parent's nightmare to wait at the hospital for the doctor's diagnosis while their child suffers in the small hospital room where the doctor is examining him.

The diagnosis was not good and the doctors explained to his parents that the virus which affected his movement was moving to his brain.

"The disease was spreading fast and they said they could do nothing.

"My parents took me home and started to look for medicine and other ways to cure me."

Herbal medicines did not work and his family started losing hope.

"It reached a stage when they told me it would be better if I died because nothing else could cure me," he said.

"I was hurt and frustrated but then I started to listen to gospel music from the Akafa Family gospel group and little by little I started my hopes lifted."

As a Form Three student of Savusavu Secondary School in 1997, Sekove's youth was cut short.

He was paralysed and bed-ridden for the next four years of his life, missing out on what boys his age group were enjoying, such as playing rugby.

"In those four years I never thought I would recover.

"Everytime I asked myself why this happened to me and where did the disease come from."

Sekove's parents took him to his village of Nabua in Cakaudrove in the hope that people in the village could find a cure.

After three years, people in the village gave up and started counting the days he had left to live.

With everyone around him giving up, Sekove turned to the only source of hope and peace he found the gospel sounds of the Akafa family singers.

"I found meaning in the words of their songs and became inspired," he said.

"I started to read the word of God and found peace in verses from the Bible which spoke of His healing power."

In September, 2001 at the age of 18, Sekove committed his life to the Lord .

"That Friday, I told everyone at home and relatives in the village that I would walk, by the power of God, on Monday.

"They were shocked but I had faith in God's healing power and knew what I was talking about."

Everyone in the village looked forward to the day.

"On Monday morning I got out of bed with my family watching.

"My brothers and sisters were concerned and told me to lie down after they heard my hip bones crackling," said Sekove.

"I let go the crutches which had supported me and never looked back. I knew the Lord healed me."

From that day, the Cakaudrove lad vowed he would spend each day giving thanks to his Saviour.

"It has been my routine since that morning to wake up before the sun rises and play my guitar and sing gospel songs to thank God for my life.

"Whatever I earn and work for I give back to him because I am eternally thankful for my life."

For the past three years Sekove has worked at his plantation in Vanua Levu planting dalo, tavioka other root crops.

"I never dreamt I would work my limbs again and it was only when God changed my life that I started to work hard."

Sekove, now 22, attends the South Pacific missionary training centre at Veisari. He started three weeks ago.

"Since I got better, I have shared my experience with people bedridden with sickness," he said.

While reading The Fiji Times last week, Sekove came across nine-year-old Jone Tukana who was suffering from an incurable tumour.

The story touched him and he was determined to approach the boy's parents and share with them his experience.

"I knew how Jone was feeling and understood the anguish of his parents.

"I wanted to tell them that their boy's life could be saved if they don't lose hope and let God take control."

According to Sekove, Jone can still be helped despite his condition.

"Jone's parents should seek divine intervention through God's healing power because it is Jone's only hope," he said.

"This is the same God who has healed thousands. If Jone's parents take this to heart, through them God can heal Jone."

Sekove has a similar message to people inflicted with incurable diseases give their troubles to God. He says he is a testimony of His healing power.

"Many people, when told by the doctor they cannot be healed, return home and lose hope," he said.

"We must change that way of thinking and start relying on God's power to heal us. He did it to me.

"It's about changing how we think and depending on God," he said.

Back to Top of Article
HE makes his way home after a hectic day at school and is still in the hype of playing rugby with his school mates.

Unbeknown to the young, energetic third former, his life was not going to be the same again from that evening.

After dinner, Sekove Maqanatagane, 14 years old then, was restless and could not sleep.

His family did not know what was wrong with him and being the youngest, his parents were worried.

"I couldn't sleep and kept moving about," he said. At daybreak the once full of life teenager was paralysed from the neck down.

"My parents could not take it anymore and took me to hospital."

It is every parent's nightmare to wait at the hospital for the doctor's diagnosis while their child suffers in the small hospital room where the doctor is examining him.

The diagnosis was not good and the doctors explained to his parents that the virus which affected his movement was moving to his brain.

"The disease was spreading fast and they said they could do nothing.

"My parents took me home and started to look for medicine and other ways to cure me."

Herbal medicines did not work and his family started losing hope.

"It reached a stage when they told me it would be better if I died because nothing else could cure me," he said.

"I was hurt and frustrated but then I started to listen to gospel music from the Akafa Family gospel group and little by little I started my hopes lifted."

As a Form Three student of Savusavu Secondary School in 1997, Sekove's youth was cut short.

He was paralysed and bed-ridden for the next four years of his life, missing out on what boys his age group were enjoying, such as playing rugby.

"In those four years I never thought I would recover.

"Everytime I asked myself why this happened to me and where did the disease come from."

Sekove's parents took him to his village of Nabua in Cakaudrove in the hope that people in the village could find a cure.

After three years, people in the village gave up and started counting the days he had left to live.

With everyone around him giving up, Sekove turned to the only source of hope and peace he found the gospel sounds of the Akafa family singers.

"I found meaning in the words of their songs and became inspired," he said.

"I started to read the word of God and found peace in verses from the Bible which spoke of His healing power."

In September, 2001 at the age of 18, Sekove committed his life to the Lord .

"That Friday, I told everyone at home and relatives in the village that I would walk, by the power of God, on Monday.

"They were shocked but I had faith in God's healing power and knew what I was talking about."

Everyone in the village looked forward to the day.

"On Monday morning I got out of bed with my family watching.

"My brothers and sisters were concerned and told me to lie down after they heard my hip bones crackling," said Sekove.

"I let go the crutches which had supported me and never looked back. I knew the Lord healed me."

From that day, the Cakaudrove lad vowed he would spend each day giving thanks to his Saviour.

"It has been my routine since that morning to wake up before the sun rises and play my guitar and sing gospel songs to thank God for my life.

"Whatever I earn and work for I give back to him because I am eternally thankful for my life."

For the past three years Sekove has worked at his plantation in Vanua Levu planting dalo, tavioka other root crops.

"I never dreamt I would work my limbs again and it was only when God changed my life that I started to work hard."

Sekove, now 22, attends the South Pacific missionary training centre at Veisari. He started three weeks ago.

"Since I got better, I have shared my experience with people bedridden with sickness," he said.

While reading The Fiji Times last week, Sekove came across nine-year-old Jone Tukana who was suffering from an incurable tumour.

The story touched him and he was determined to approach the boy's parents and share with them his experience.

"I knew how Jone was feeling and understood the anguish of his parents.

"I wanted to tell them that their boy's life could be saved if they don't lose hope and let God take control."

According to Sekove, Jone can still be helped despite his condition.

"Jone's parents should seek divine intervention through God's healing power because it is Jone's only hope," he said.

"This is the same God who has healed thousands. If Jone's parents take this to heart, through them God can heal Jone."

Sekove has a similar message to people inflicted with incurable diseases give their troubles to God. He says he is a testimony of His healing power.

"Many people, when told by the doctor they cannot be healed, return home and lose hope," he said.

"We must change that way of thinking and start relying on God's power to heal us. He did it to me.

"It's about changing how we think and depending on God," he said.

Back to Top of Article
HE makes his way home after a hectic day at school and is still in the hype of playing rugby with his school mates.

Unbeknown to the young, energetic third former, his life was not going to be the same again from that evening.

After dinner, Sekove Maqanatagane, 14 years old then, was restless and could not sleep.

His family did not know what was wrong with him and being the youngest, his parents were worried.

"I couldn't sleep and kept moving about," he said. At daybreak the once full of life teenager was paralysed from the neck down.

"My parents could not take it anymore and took me to hospital."

It is every parent's nightmare to wait at the hospital for the doctor's diagnosis while their child suffers in the small hospital room where the doctor is examining him.

The diagnosis was not good and the doctors explained to his parents that the virus which affected his movement was moving to his brain.

"The disease was spreading fast and they said they could do nothing.

"My parents took me home and started to look for medicine and other ways to cure me."

Herbal medicines did not work and his family started losing hope.

"It reached a stage when they told me it would be better if I died because nothing else could cure me," he said.

"I was hurt and frustrated but then I started to listen to gospel music from the Akafa Family gospel group and little by little I started my hopes lifted."

As a Form Three student of Savusavu Secondary School in 1997, Sekove's youth was cut short.

He was paralysed and bed-ridden for the next four years of his life, missing out on what boys his age group were enjoying, such as playing rugby.

"In those four years I never thought I would recover.

"Everytime I asked myself why this happened to me and where did the disease come from."

Sekove's parents took him to his village of Nabua in Cakaudrove in the hope that people in the village could find a cure.

After three years, people in the village gave up and started counting the days he had left to live.

With everyone around him giving up, Sekove turned to the only source of hope and peace he found the gospel sounds of the Akafa family singers.

"I found meaning in the words of their songs and became inspired," he said.

HE makes his way home after a hectic day at school and is still in the hype of playing rugby with his school mates.

Unbeknown to the young, energetic third former, his life was not going to be the same again from that evening.

After dinner, Sekove Maqanatagane, 14 years old then, was restless and could not sleep.

His family did not know what was wrong with him and being the youngest, his parents were worried.

"I couldn't sleep and kept moving about," he said. At daybreak the once full of life teenager was paralysed from the neck down.

"My parents could not take it anymore and took me to hospital."

It is every parent's nightmare to wait at the hospital for the doctor's diagnosis while their child suffers in the small hospital room where the doctor is examining him.

The diagnosis was not good and the doctors explained to his parents that the virus which affected his movement was moving to his brain.

"The disease was spreading fast and they said they could do nothing.

"My parents took me home and started to look for medicine and other ways to cure me."

Herbal medicines did not work and his family started losing hope.

"It reached a stage when they told me it would be better if I died because nothing else could cure me," he said.

"I was hurt and frustrated but then I started to listen to gospel music from the Akafa Family gospel group and little by little I started my hopes lifted."

As a Form Three student of Savusavu Secondary School in 1997, Sekove's youth was cut short.

He was paralysed and bed-ridden for the next four years of his life, missing out on what boys his age group were enjoying, such as playing rugby.

"In those four years I never thought I would recover.

"Everytime I asked myself why this happened to me and where did the disease come from."

Sekove's parents took him to his village of Nabua in Cakaudrove in the hope that people in the village could find a cure.

After three years, people in the village gave up and started counting the days he had left to live.

With everyone around him giving up, Sekove turned to the only source of hope and peace he found the gospel sounds of the Akafa family singers.

"I found meaning in the words of their songs and became inspired," he said.

"I started to read the word of God and found peace in verses from the Bible which spoke of His healing power."

In September, 2001 at the age of 18, Sekove committed his life to the Lord .

"That Friday, I told everyone at home and relatives in the village that I would walk, by the power of God, on Monday.

"They were shocked but I had faith in God's healing power and knew what I was talking about."

Everyone in the village looked forward to the day.

"On Monday morning I got out of bed with my family watching.

"My brothers and sisters were concerned and told me to lie down after they heard my hip bones crackling," said Sekove.

"I let go the crutches which had supported me and never looked back. I knew the Lord healed me."

From that day, the Cakaudrove lad vowed he would spend each day giving thanks to his Saviour.

"It has been my routine since that morning to wake up before the sun rises and play my guitar and sing gospel songs to thank God for my life.

"Whatever I earn and work for I give back to him because I am eternally thankful for my life."

For the past three years Sekove has worked at his plantation in Vanua Levu planting dalo, tavioka other root crops.

"I never dreamt I would work my limbs again and it was only when God changed my life that I started to work hard."

Sekove, now 22, attends the South Pacific missionary training centre at Veisari. He started three weeks ago.

"Since I got better, I have shared my experience with people bedridden with sickness," he said.

While reading The Fiji Times last week, Sekove came across nine-year-old Jone Tukana who was suffering from an incurable tumour.

The story touched him and he was determined to approach the boy's parents and share with them his experience.

"I knew how Jone was feeling and understood the anguish of his parents.

"I wanted to tell them that their boy's life could be saved if they don't lose hope and let God take control."

According to Sekove, Jone can still be helped despite his condition.

"Jone's parents should seek divine intervention through God's healing power because it is Jone's only hope," he said.

"This is the same God who has healed thousands. If Jone's parents take this to heart, through them God can heal Jone."

Sekove has a similar message to people inflicted with incurable diseases give their troubles to God. He says he is a testimony of His healing power.

"Many people, when told by the doctor they cannot be healed, return home and lose hope," he said.

"We must change that way of thinking and start relying on God's power to heal us. He did it to me.

"It's about changing how we think and depending on God," he said.

Back to Top of Article
HE makes his way home after a hectic day at school and is still in the hype of playing rugby with his school mates.

Unbeknown to the young, energetic third former, his life was not going to be the same again from that evening.

After dinner, Sekove Maqanatagane, 14 years old then, was restless and could not sleep.

His family did not know what was wrong with him and being the youngest, his parents were worried.

"I couldn't sleep and kept moving about," he said. At daybreak the once full of life teenager was paralysed from the neck down.

"My parents could not take it anymore and took me to hospital."

It is every parent's nightmare to wait at the hospital for the doctor's diagnosis while their child suffers in the small hospital room where the doctor is examining him.

The diagnosis was not good and the doctors explained to his parents that the virus which affected his movement was moving to his brain.

"The disease was spreading fast and they said they could do nothing.

"My parents took me home and started to look for medicine and other ways to cure me."

Herbal medicines did not work and his family started losing hope.

"It reached a stage when they told me it would be better if I died because nothing else could cure me," he said.

"I was hurt and frustrated but then I started to listen to gospel music from the Akafa Family gospel group and little by little I started my hopes lifted."

As a Form Three student of Savusavu Secondary School in 1997, Sekove's youth was cut short.

He was paralysed and bed-ridden for the next four years of his life, missing out on what boys his age group were enjoying, such as playing rugby.

"In those four years I never thought I would recover.

"Everytime I asked myself why this happened to me and where did the disease come from."

Sekove's parents took him to his village of Nabua in Cakaudrove in the hope that people in the village could find a cure.

After three years, people in the village gave up and started counting the days he had left to live.

With everyone around him giving up, Sekove turned to the only source of hope and peace he found the gospel sounds of the Akafa family singers.

"I found meaning in the words of their songs and became inspired," he said.

"I started to read the word of God and found peace in verses from the Bible which spoke of His healing power."

In September, 2001 at the age of 18, Sekove committed his life to the Lord .

"That Friday, I told everyone at home and relatives in the village that I would walk, by the power of God, on Monday.

"They were shocked but I had faith in God's healing power and knew what I was talking about."

Everyone in the village looked forward to the day.

"On Monday morning I got out of bed with my family watching.

"My brothers and sisters were concerned and told me to lie down after they heard my hip bones crackling," said Sekove.

"I let go the crutches which had supported me and never looked back. I knew the Lord healed me."

From that day, the Cakaudrove lad vowed he would spend each day giving thanks to his Saviour.

"It has been my routine since that morning to wake up before the sun rises and play my guitar and sing gospel songs to thank God for my life.

"Whatever I earn and work for I give back to him because I am eternally thankful for my life."

For the past three years Sekove has worked at his plantation in Vanua Levu planting dalo, tavioka other root crops.

"I never dreamt I would work my limbs again and it was only when God changed my life that I started to work hard."

Sekove, now 22, attends the South Pacific missionary training centre at Veisari. He started three weeks ago.

"Since I got better, I have shared my experience with people bedridden with sickness," he said.

While reading The Fiji Times last week, Sekove came across nine-year-old Jone Tukana who was suffering from an incurable tumour.

The story touched him and he was determined to approach the boy's parents and share with them his experience.

"I knew how Jone was feeling and understood the anguish of his parents.

"I wanted to tell them that their boy's life could be saved if they don't lose hope and let God take control."

According to Sekove, Jone can still be helped despite his condition.

"Jone's parents should seek divine intervention through God's healing power because it is Jone's only hope," he said.

"This is the same God who has healed thousands. If Jone's parents take this to heart, through them God can heal Jone."

Sekove has a similar message to people inflicted with incurable diseases give their troubles to God. He says he is a testimony of His healing power.

"Many people, when told by the doctor they cannot be healed, return home and lose hope," he said.

"We must change that way of thinking and start relying on God's power to heal us. He did it to me.

"It's about changing how we think and depending on God," he said.

Back to Top of Article
HE makes his way home after a hectic day at school and is still in the hype of playing rugby with his school mates.

Unbeknown to the young, energetic third former, his life was not going to be the same again from that evening.

After dinner, Sekove Maqanatagane, 14 years old then, was restless and could not sleep.

His family did not know what was wrong with him and being the youngest, his parents were worried.

"I couldn't sleep and kept moving about," he said. At daybreak the once full of life teenager was paralysed from the neck down.

"My parents could not take it anymore and took me to hospital."

It is every parent's nightmare to wait at the hospital for the doctor's diagnosis while their child suffers in the small hospital room where the doctor is examining him.

The diagnosis was not good and the doctors explained to his parents that the virus which affected his movement was moving to his brain.

"The disease was spreading fast and they said they could do nothing.

"My parents took me home and started to look for medicine and other ways to cure me."

Herbal medicines did not work and his family started losing hope.

"It reached a stage when they told me it would be better if I died because nothing else could cure me," he said.

"I was hurt and frustrated but then I started to listen to gospel music from the Akafa Family gospel group and little by little I started my hopes lifted."

As a Form Three student of Savusavu Secondary School in 1997, Sekove's youth was cut short.

He was paralysed and bed-ridden for the next four years of his life, missing out on what boys his age group were enjoying, such as playing rugby.

"In those four years I never thought I would recover.

"Everytime I asked myself why this happened to me and where did the disease come from."

Sekove's parents took him to his village of Nabua in Cakaudrove in the hope that people in the village could find a cure.

After three years, people in the village gave up and started counting the days he had left to live.

With everyone around him giving up, Sekove turned to the only source of hope and peace he found the gospel sounds of the Akafa family singers.

"I found meaning in the words of their songs and became inspired," he said.

"I started to read the word of God and found peace in verses from the Bible which spoke of His healing power."

In September, 2001 at the age of 18, Sekove committed his life to the Lord .

"That Friday, I told everyone at home and relatives in the village that I would walk, by the power of God, on Monday.

"They were shocked but I had faith in God's healing power and knew what I was talking about."

Everyone in the village looked forward to the day.

"On Monday morning I got out of bed with my family watching.

"My brothers and sisters were concerned and told me to lie down after they heard my hip bones crackling," said Sekove.

"I let go the crutches which had supported me and never looked back. I knew the Lord healed me."

From that day, the Cakaudrove lad vowed he would spend each day giving thanks to his Saviour.

"It has been my routine since that morning to wake up before the sun rises and play my guitar and sing gospel songs to thank God for my life.

"Whatever I earn and work for I give back to him because I am eternally thankful for my life."

For the past three years Sekove has worked at his plantation in Vanua Levu planting dalo, tavioka other root crops.

"I never dreamt I would work my limbs again and it was only when God changed my life that I started to work hard."

Sekove, now 22, attends the South Pacific missionary training centre at Veisari. He started three weeks ago.

"Since I got better, I have shared my experience with people bedridden with sickness," he said.

While reading The Fiji Times last week, Sekove came across nine-year-old Jone Tukana who was suffering from an incurable tumour.

The story touched him and he was determined to approach the boy's parents and share with them his experience.

"I knew how Jone was feeling and understood the anguish of his parents.

"I wanted to tell them that their boy's life could be saved if they don't lose hope and let God take control."

According to Sekove, Jone can still be helped despite his condition.

"Jone's parents should seek divine intervention through God's healing power because it is Jone's only hope," he said.

"This is the same God who has healed thousands. If Jone's parents take this to heart, through them God can heal Jone."

Sekove has a similar message to people inflicted with incurable diseases give their troubles to God. He says he is a testimony of His healing power.

"Many people, when told by the doctor they cannot be healed, return home and lose hope," he said.

"We must change that way of thinking and start relying on God's power to heal us. He did it to me.

"It's about changing how we think and depending on God," he said.

HE makes his way home after a hectic day at school and is still in the hype of playing rugby with his school mates.

Unbeknown to the young, energetic third former, his life was not going to be the same again from that evening.

After dinner, Sekove Maqanatagane, 14 years old then, was restless and could not sleep.

His family did not know what was wrong with him and being the youngest, his parents were worried.

"I couldn't sleep and kept moving about," he said. At daybreak the once full of life teenager was paralysed from the neck down.

"My parents could not take it anymore and took me to hospital."

It is every parent's nightmare to wait at the hospital for the doctor's diagnosis while their child suffers in the small hospital room where the doctor is examining him.

The diagnosis was not good and the doctors explained to his parents that the virus which affected his movement was moving to his brain.

"The disease was spreading fast and they said they could do nothing.

"My parents took me home and started to look for medicine and other ways to cure me."

Herbal medicines did not work and his family started losing hope.

"It reached a stage when they told me it would be better if I died because nothing else could cure me," he said.

"I was hurt and frustrated but then I started to listen to gospel music from the Akafa Family gospel group and little by little I started my hopes lifted."

As a Form Three student of Savusavu Secondary School in 1997, Sekove's youth was cut short.

He was paralysed and bed-ridden for the next four years of his life, missing out on what boys his age group were enjoying, such as playing rugby.

"In those four years I never thought I would recover.

"Everytime I asked myself why this happened to me and where did the disease come from."

Sekove's parents took him to his village of Nabua in Cakaudrove in the hope that people in the village could find a cure.

After three years, people in the village gave up and started counting the days he had left to live.

With everyone around him giving up, Sekove turned to the only source of hope and peace he found the gospel sounds of the Akafa family singers.

"I found meaning in the words of their songs and became inspired," he said.

"I started to read the word of God and found peace in verses from the Bible which spoke of His healing power."

In September, 2001 at the age of 18, Sekove committed his life to the Lord .

"That Friday, I told everyone at home and relatives in the village that I would walk, by the power of God, on Monday.

"They were shocked but I had faith in God's healing power and knew what I was talking about."

Everyone in the village looked forward to the day.

"On Monday morning I got out of bed with my family watching.

"My brothers and sisters were concerned and told me to lie down after they heard my hip bones crackling," said Sekove.

"I let go the crutches which had supported me and never looked back. I knew the Lord healed me."

From that day, the Cakaudrove lad vowed he would spend each day giving thanks to his Saviour.

"It has been my routine since that morning to wake up before the sun rises and play my guitar and sing gospel songs to thank God for my life.

"Whatever I earn and work for I give back to him because I am eternally thankful for my life."

For the past three years Sekove has worked at his plantation in Vanua Levu planting dalo, tavioka other root crops.

"I never dreamt I would work my limbs again and it was only when God changed my life that I started to work hard."

Sekove, now 22, attends the South Pacific missionary training centre at Veisari. He started three weeks ago.

"Since I got better, I have shared my experience with people bedridden with sickness," he said.

While reading The Fiji Times last week, Sekove came across nine-year-old Jone Tukana who was suffering from an incurable tumour.

The story touched him and he was determined to approach the boy's parents and share with them his experience.

"I knew how Jone was feeling and understood the anguish of his parents.

"I wanted to tell them that their boy's life could be saved if they don't lose hope and let God take control."

According to Sekove, Jone can still be helped despite his condition.

"Jone's parents should seek divine intervention through God's healing power because it is Jone's only hope," he said.

"This is the same God who has healed thousands. If Jone's parents take this to heart, through them God can heal Jone."

Sekove has a similar message to people inflicted with incurable diseases give their troubles to God. He says he is a testimony of His healing power.

"Many people, when told by the doctor they cannot be healed, return home and lose hope," he said.

"We must change that way of thinking and start relying on God's power to heal us. He did it to me.

"It's about changing how we think and depending on God," he said.

An amazing tale of healing - Fiji Times Online