By Vincent McIntosh
I was diagnosed with diabetes in 2018, and as the years went by, my blood sugar steadily climbed. I knew what my main problem was: I loved food, and I refused to accept that I had to change my lifestyle. My days at a communications company full-time, while managing my part-time business as a used car salesman, were often long and unpredictable, and I would eat haphazardly. In my mind, I seriously did not think that if I continued this way, I could lose a toe or two or three; a foot or two; fingers; my vision; or fall into a diabetic coma. That was happening to other people who loved food and were living with diabetes, but never me, I thought.
The medication I was on was impacting my married life, impeding growth in certain areas, but not even that was enough to move me. I think a “don’t care” spirit was over me, for how could I not want to take corrective action to address that particular situation?
THE JAPANESE APPROACH
Late last year, my blood sugar was really out of whack; my readings were near 10 mmol, and normal is around 5–6 mmol. The medications my doctor prescribed weren’t helping much (maybe because I hadn’t altered my eating habits), but, of course, I took them with me when I travelled abroad in December.
People, for seven of the 12 days I was in America, I was sick beyond belief—severe headaches, very weak, didn’t want to move, just excessively sleepy, and not waking until near 2 p.m. each day.
There was a Japanese relative where I was staying, and she put me on a vegetable diet and gave me lots of Japanese broth and teas. Little by little, my condition improved, and I lost 15 pounds. I felt increasingly stronger, and my blood sugar level went back to around 6 mmol. I think God allowed this to happen so I could see that I could quit eating all the food I was having that I thought I couldn’t possibly give up.
When I returned to Jamaica, my aunt referred me to a naturopathic doctor. The old me would have refused, but when I remembered how terrible my trip to Maryland had been, and the difference the vegetables and teas had made, I was ready to try a vegan lifestyle.
MY WIFE WAS WITH ME THROUGH MY ‘DOWNS AND UPS’
I went vegan for a month, and for the first 10 days (which ended on August 10), I could eat no food, just consume green juices, herbs and seeds, and supplements. The hours I would normally spend in the kitchen preparing food with my wife, I was able to spend in prayer and devotion instead, and I can say that it was during this time that I saw the power of God really working on me, transforming my mind.
My wife, Cavel, of 27 years of marriage, was integral to my success. She was there with me through my downs, and when I began to rise again, she joined me in rejoicing (I’m speaking in codes, gentlemen).
IT WAS GOD WHO LIFTED ME
What God did for me in Maryland by taking me for seven days through the valley of the shadow of death was just so He could stop me from experiencing the horrific outcomes of not properly managing diabetes. He used a number of vessels to achieve this – my Japanese relative, Dr. Debra Williams, my wife, and the community of healthy eaters of which I am now a part.
I am not vegan, but I do eat a great deal more vegetables and a lot less food overall.
Friends, we can achieve nothing without God’s help, so more than anything else, prayer is your number one weapon. There is no doctor that can cure you of any disease; it is through the power of God that they are able to help bring you back to good health.
Since June this year, I stopped taking my diabetes medication, and my blood sugar is now normal as I do my readings every day. In a few weeks’ time, I have to repeat my blood works, and for once, I am looking forward to those readings and what my traditional doctor will say.
What God has done for me is something I want to share with others, so if you would like me to come address a group at your church or business about my journey, please call me at 876-312-5457 or 876-972-9977.
