Michael Bushby had already faced death.
A diagnosis of incurable cancer does that but, after chemo failed to stop stage four lymphoma in his stomach, chest, neck, bone marrow and spleen, his mortality was about to move even more centre stage.
He’d downed a bottle of beer and locked himself in his garage.
Most chillingly, he fashioned a skipping rope into a noose. This was it …
But then, from outside, a noise.
The sound of hammering on the door changed his mind. His wife Maria, and daughters Helen and Jennifer, begged him to stop.
Michael, pictured above, came out to them and surrendered the situation to Jesus: “I laid it all before God and I said to him, whatever time I have left – just take my life and use it.”
That was 10 years ago but, today, Michael’s still astounding the doctors that gave him that terminal diagnosis.
God took Michael at his word about using his life, and the retired train driver, aged 60 and from Gateshead, is keeping himself busy.
A former policeman, he is the new international director for Reaper Ministries International, an evangelistic, healing, prayer and teaching ministry which takes “the love of God to a hurting people”.
He is also the north-east regional director for Christian Vision for Men, and a chaplain for both Newcastle city centre and Northumberland Industrial Missions.
He also loves to recount the history of railways as a voluntary guide for Beamish Museum and is a buddy with Lymphoma Action, supporting others through the ordeal of cancer.
“I also make time as a responder at our local hospital, helping doctors to deliver medicines,” said Michael.
“I took some drugs to the chemo ward recently, where I had been a patient, and one of my old nurses was delighted and gave me a big hug.”
His faith was tested again when he received more chemo. Cancer patients are more vulnerable to viruses and he picked up a high fever after mixing with the public at a supermarket.
A & E doctors rushed him to a sealed isolation unit. For a week, no visitors – not even family – were allowed, only medical staff wearing masks and gowns.
“I lay in bed listening to Christian radio and prayed, releasing all my fears to God. Psalm 91 came to mind, of the promises God has given, about dwelling in the shelter of the most High.
“As I called on the Lord, I sensed his peace and joy, and the fulness of his presence.”
Michael believes his experiences have shaped him and he is stronger in his faith in God.
“I am thankful for each day he has blessed me with. I have learnt not to take tomorrow for granted. I will always remember what an elderly lady, aged 100, once said to me at church: ‘Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery and today is for living with Jesus.’”
