Toyin’s encounter with an angel

As a child, I grew up believing that angels lived in heaven with occasional expeditions to the earth. Now, as an adult, I still believe in angels and I have had memorable encounters with them. However, my concept of an angel is now broader. I would define an angel as a mysterious or real being bringing important messages or lending assistance in time of great need.

I met one such angel recently and Toyin can testify to this! “Who is Toyin?” You may wish to be reminded, that she was that 32-year-old destitute, diabetic and blind with two little children, rescued from the Bodija market about three years ago.

She had a free sight-restoring eye surgery in one eye at the Eleta Eye Institute and was featured in this column some months ago because she was on the verge of losing her limbs to gangrene from uncontrolled diabetes. She could neither take care of herself nor her children. Death was knocking at her door and the doctor said only a miracle could save her. Toyin’s story reminded me of the following story, by an unknown author, culled from the web.

“Tess was just an 8-year-old when she heard her Mom and Dad talking about her little brother, Andrew. He was very sick and they were completely out of money. Only a very costly surgery could save him. She heard Daddy say to Mom that he couldn’t afford the doctor’s bills and there was no-one to loan him the money. “Only a miracle can save him now,” Dad whispered to Mom.

“Tess went to her bedroom, pulled out her little wooden safe, containing coins she had been saving for several years, from her wardrobe. Pouring out all the change on the floor, she counted it carefully to be certain of the exact amount. Cautiously placing the coins back in the wooden safe, she slipped out of the house through the back door and made her way to Rexall’s Drug Store just down the road. She waited patiently for the pharmacist to give her some attention, but he was too busy at talking to a well-dressed man.

After several futile attempts to gain his attention, Tess took a coin from her little box and banged it on the glass counter. That did it! “And what do you want?” the pharmacist asked in an annoyed tone of voice. “I’m talking to my brother from Chicago. I haven’t seen him in ages,” he said.

Ignoring his response, Tess answered back in the same annoyed tone, “Well, I want to talk to you about my brother. He’s really very sick… and I want to buy a miracle.” “I beg your pardon?” said the pharmacist. “His name is Andrew and he has something bad growing inside his head and my Daddy says only a miracle can save him now. How much does a miracle cost?” “We don’t sell miracles here, little girl. I’m sorry, but I can’t help you,” the pharmacist said, softening a little.

“Listen, I have the money to pay for it. If it isn’t enough, I will get the rest. Just tell me how much it costs,” replied Tess, undeterred. The pharmacist’s brother stooped down and asked the little girl, “What kind of a miracle does your brother need?” “I don’t know,” Tess replied with her eyes welling up with tears. “I just know he’s really sick and Mummy says he needs an operation. But my Daddy can’t pay for it, so I want to use my money.” “How much do you have?” asked the man from Chicago. “One dollar and eleven cents,” Tess answered.

“Well, what a coincidence,” smiled the man. “A dollar and 11 cents – the exact price of a miracle for little brothers. Take me to where you live. I want to see your brother and meet your parents. Let’s see if I have the kind of miracle you need.” The pharmacist’s brother, Dr Carlton Armstrong, a neurosurgeon was an angel! He performed the operation successfully without charge. What a miracle indeed!

On January 9, 2017 at the Topping Out ceremony of the Eleta Eye Institute’s new building in Ibadan, the Special Guest of Honour, Chief Florence Ajimobi, wife of the Executive Governor of Oyo State, caught a glimpse of the publication describing Toyin’s plight.

Facing me, she asked, “Who is Dr. Ben Ajayi?” I answered, “Me.” Momentarily confused but quickly regaining her composure she asked, “Where is this lady?” By some curious twist of fate, Dorcas, who had been supervising her treatment, had brought Toyin and her children to Eleta to discuss her worsening situation after being discharged from the private hospital where she had been on admission.

Mrs Ajimobi immediately whisked her to another hospital. On getting to the hospital, she became unconscious but was revived. A month after, Toyin is very well and fit.

Her Excellency has also taken her two children into her orphanage and given them the opportunity of schooling. Thank you, Angel Florence for saving Toyin’s life and giving her children a brighter future.

May I also thank all the other angels, Dorcas and others who contributed in time and treasure to make it possible for Toyin to survive until the bigger angel’s intervention?  If you didn’t believe in angels and miracles, I am sure you have changed your mind now