Valdeen Shears-Neptune
For Agnes Abdool and her family, spiritual strength has been able to sustain them when physical strength wavered. What has emerged out of their trying times is the tale of how one young man’s battle transformed and touched the lives of many around him.
This battle, though, was shown not through brawn or might, but the power of faith and belief. And even in his death came further strengthening of the family's faith. It was this experience that birthed the Abdool’s book titled, To Glorify The King—The power of God through a young man’s life.
On November 3, Kareem would have been celebrating his 35th birthday. Instead, his family will host a thanksgiving service and launch the 203-page book at Trincity Mall from 2 to 6 pm.
Tested to be a testimony
Kareem Abdool was 34 and in the prime of his life—buffed and healthy—when a massive heart attack changed his journey. Mere days before, the young man had witnessed the accidental death and burial of his best friend, Yamen.
It was while in the company of friends, who sought to cheer him through his grief, that he complained about chest pains and started cold sweating. The young man was taken to the Accident and Emergency Department at the San Fernando General Hospital, where he went into cardiac arrest.
His mom recalled him being administered five to six electric shocks and CPR.
“He came back and then was gone (his heart stopped), then was shocked again and came back. We were told upon arriving at emergency that he had no heartbeat or pulse. We did not accept death,” said Abdool.
What the family did instead, Abdool said, was that they “shook up the hospital” with fervent and defiant shouts and cries of praise and worship. Their belief, Abdool said, was that “Jesus Christ would supernaturally restore Kareem to life to declare His works.”
What happens over the next seven months, she added, was confirmation that He did. At that time, Kareem passed away on three occasions and was transferred to the ICU and placed on life support machines in a coma. He had suffered Hypoxic Brain Injury, a lack of oxygen to his brain.
“A multitude of people, relatives, friends, pastors were all praying and believing in God for a miracle. We knew the great physician (Jesus) used the doctors and machinery to bring Kareem back to us,” she recalled.
On day 16 in the ICU, Kareem opened his eyes and yawned for the first time. Abdool said she and Pastor Victor Jogee had been praying at her son’s bedside when he awakened.
His father, Farouk Abdool, fasted for 40 days and vowed not to eat until his son too could do the same. His sisters, Kerry-Ann, Krystle and Kamille rallied around his bedside, as his family lived by the principle, “the family that prays together, stays together.”
This is the way they have always known it to be. Abdool drew briefly on her family’s battles through lost of businesses, finances, and even their dream home early on in her marriage.
Reverting to regular jobs, Abdool said they were financially poor, but spiritually rich. She believes a prophesy made over her life that she would be successful at a particular business before the end of that year, manifested itself.
The family took a loan and 17 years ago started that business that still sustains them to date. Abdool is a regional field vice president with Symmetry Global and runs a kiosk at Trincity Mall, Trincity. She is also of the firm belief that God prepares her family for whatever is to come.
Soon after starting her new business, Abdool said the Holy Spirit told her she would have a son named David, who would be a mighty man of God. Abdool said she knew medically that was not possible, as her age would not allow it. She believed, though, and awaited a miracle.
After 15 years of waiting, the Abdools legally adopted four-year-old Kaleb “David”, who is now seven. And while their adopted son could never replace Kareem, the Abdools believe that God had given them a son to comfort them for the one they had lost.
David’s adoption came about as the Abdools’ assisted a family in Arima who was in need. However, while the Abdools gave freely whenever they could, they sought more to encourage the family to attend church with them.
It was while at church, she said, that she first noticed one of the little sons lifting his hands and praising God freely.
“I got so excited when I was eventually introduced to him. His name was David,” she recalled.
After church, she said, he told his father he wanted to go with the Abdools. Some time after, his parents, mindful of their situation, decided it was best if the Abdools legally adopted David. He would be known as Kaleb “David” Abdool, thereafter.
Abdool recalled the bond formed between Kareem and Kaleb. How Kareem looked at him with wonder when he worshiped aloud with fervor and confidence.
Sustained through spiritual confidence
It was this same spiritual confidence which saw the Abdools through Kareem’s illnesses, bouts of good health, and then his eventual death.
“We did not experience the gift or present of Kareem coming back to us, but a greater gift of the presence of God, who kept us strong,” she said.
Abdool recalled one occasion which led to a non-Christian patient accepting Jesus Christ, when by faith the family refused to accept that Kareem would not breathe unless hooked up to machines.
The family accepted small miracles as they came, but knew that Kareem’s brain had possibly been damaged beyond medical repair. He was sent home after three months, with a grim diagnosis from doctors.
Abdool, along with daughter, Kamille put their businesses on hold to provide daily care for Kareem.
“We saw great signs and wonders and many miracles at home. After four months Kareem sat in his wheelchair all by himself very upright, with no props or support. Daily my husband and I would take him outside for the sunlight and to see everything around him. He could see, hear, taste, feel, and displayed a lot of emotions but was unable to do anything for himself,” she recalled.
Abdool also remembered her son being a fitness enthusiast, hitting the gym six days a week, running his own health store. And while he had lost all his muscle and weight, Kareem was able to maintain a health body and organs throughout his illness.
On yet another visit to the hospital, she said, doctors said he did not have long to live. On the third day, he conceded that the family’s prayers had worked. He spent one month and was discharged. This would happen again just as the new year (2015) rang in, but again Kareem proved doctors wrong.
On January 24, after follow-up treatment at the Sangre Grande Hospital, Abdool said they noticed his breathing had become erratic. He was taken to the Arima Health Facility via ambulance and it was during that journey, that Abdool recalled her son’s look of peace as he breathed his last.
“Just before we left the house, while praying the Holy Spirit said the spirit of God is upon him, he has peace and all is well,” she remembered wistfully.
There were no tears of despair for the Abdools, but rather rejoicing, as they had already accepted that God’s plan and purpose for Kareem’s life had been fulfilled.
Books will be available at the book launch, major book stores and Christian bookstores nationwide. For further information, you can contact the family @640-1986/5053 or 774-5646.