The Sunday Mail
Fatima Bulla
THE Christian community is in mourning following the death of Evangelist Ezekiel Guti Jnr, son to leaders of Zimbabwe Assemblies of God Africa (Zaoga), Apostles Ezekiel and Eunor Guti.
Evangelist Guti was in South Africa for a holiday with his family when death visited. He battled for life for hours after nearly drowning in a swimming pool on Christmas Day. He is survived by his wife Carol and children Eutricia Eunor, Ezekiel III and Dorcas III.
Born at Mutare Medical Centre, baby Ezekiel came at a time when his parents were looking forward to a baby boy. In his book “The Man Who Defied Condition” launched earlier this year, the late evangelist reveals that while his mother was in labour, he was discovered to be in a breech position.
“Doctors thought that maybe my mother was carrying twins, they took an X-ray to confirm and found out that it was just a single child with an extended head and arms. And at this stage those in the medical field would understand that it was too late to opt for the Caesarian section and that time medically my heart had stopped functioning and the nurses present there began to whisper at each other that the baby was dead thinking that my mother was not hearing what they were saying.”
What followed was a step of faith by his parents who refused to accept that their child had died. For an hour 45 minutes they prayed until baby Ezekiel Jnr started breathing.
“They gave me oxygen and I finished four cylinders in three days. My eyes and whole face were swollen. They wanted to discontinue the oxygen so my life would come to an end. But my mother would not take it because she knew their tactics,” he wrote.
Baby Ezekiel Jnr managed to crawl and sit as any child with normal physical ability going through the growth stages. He highlighted that he received no special treatment only being assisted to stand, eat or bath. With a show of self-confidence, the late evangelist revealed that giving birth to a child who is physically challenged does not mean the child is useless.
“It’s just the body that has challenges but the mind is as clear as everyone’s and the understanding is so sharp that where there is no love and support you emotionally drown the physically challenged child.” Having studied in the United Kingdom, Ezekiel Jnr felt the urge to come back home and pursue ministry work.
“I was in the UK for my studies the Lord spoke to me in a more vivid voice that I should come to Zimbabwe and go to Bible school not to be a pastor but to be an evangelist.” This opened up avenues for the late evangelist to travel extensively throughout Africa and Europe preaching.
Married in 2003, Evangelist Ezekiel Jnr did not find it easy to get a wife considering his physical condition. His father would receive confirmation that Caroline Katsande, who had visited their house on January 13, 2003, was the girl he would marry.
“The amazing thing that happened is that every time I try to talk to people who are not used to my voice projection I use an interpreter, so my father was there to interpret for me and to all our amazement the girl heard me clearly and yet it was her first time talking to me. This became one of the evidence that she was the right one,” he said.
After 13 years of marriage, the late evangelist acknowledged his wife for her unconditional love and understanding towards him.
“I used to pray to God that even if I cannot be able to walk just at least make me talk. I have seen my parents praying for people who could not talk and they began to talk. I had faith that one day I will be eloquent to speak but that was not in God’s plan,” he said.
While many find it difficult to accept physical challenges of the body, Evangelist Ezekiel Jnr highlighted that defying a condition was a choice one had to make.
“. . . if I had chosen that this world has declared me disabled I would have not gone to school and I would not be preaching the word of God.” Through his ministry many are said to have been delivered and healed of life-threatening conditions.
While there are many prayers that could have been answered through the petition placed by Evangelist Ezekiel Jnr before God, one that was surely not granted is found on page 28 of his book made in reference to his wife.
“My prayer is to grow older with Carol . . .” He died in his prime at the age of 35. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
