American donates kidney to Russian in Israel

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American donates kidney to Russian in Israel

Oct. 21, 2005.

Cyndi Barnett believes God works in mysterious ways.

More than a year ago, she heard about a Russian man in Israel whose kidneys were failing.

"I read about this man whose kidneys were functioning at about 8 to 10 percent," the Monroe resident said. "I was moved. I don't cry much, but I found myself crying for him. I felt God say to me, 'Why don't you give your kidney?' and my heart said yes. I felt so much joy at that moment."

The man was Neriyah Arabov, 33, of Israel. He and his wife, Anna, have two children. Mrs. Barnett, whose husband is Louie Barnett, pastor of Eagle's Nest Community Church, read about his story in a Chosen People Ministries newsletter.

"When I first read about it, I prayed for him for a year. But then the newsletter had published a letter from Neriyah and about his failing health. In the letter, he said not to feel sorry for him because God will take care of him and his family," she said. "He was 32 at the time, and he had been on the kidney registry list since he was 28."

She heard about the ministry, which is made up of Jews and Gentiles who believe that Jesus is the Jewish Messiah, from a Russian Jewish man who was visiting Monroe a few years ago.

After finding that she was a perfect match for Mr. Arabov, she went through with the donation on July 18 in Israel. Today, both Mrs. Barnett and Mr. Arabov are healthy.

"I feel great. No setbacks," Mr. Arabov said via the Internet. "When I first heard about her offer, I didn't believe it was true. But I prayed, and God gave us a miracle."

Though the organ donation was a complete success, Mrs. Barnett had to jump many hurdles along the way. Not only did she have to go through rigorous physical and psychological testing, but she had to live in Israel - away from her husband and six children - for two months. She left Monroe on June 23.

"It's a lengthy process. Other than being a healthy person, you have to have the same blood type, a tissue match ...everything has to be perfect," she said from her home. "After weeks of testing (in Michigan), then I went to Israel and had to do it all over again. Then I had to talk to several psychologists to make sure I wanted to do it and why I was doing it. The entire process was long."

After being medically and psychologically cleared for surgery, Mrs. Barnett gave her kidney to the man she had met just days before.

"I was out of the hospital in a few days, but I couldn't come home right away because they didn't want me flying yet. I left a few weeks later," she said of her return Aug. 21.

Throughout the months of testing and, ultimately, the surgery, Mrs. Barnett never lost faith.

"I didn't get nervous. I never had a doubt because God had shown himself. I knew it was his purpose, so I wasn't nervous at all. I knew everything was going to work out," she said.

Months before she decided to be a donor, Mrs. Barnett said she had wanted to become healthier. She not only started taking a food supplement called Reliv but also began running a couple miles a day, cutting out sugar and coffee in her diet and drinking more water.

"God was preparing my body before I even knew what was going to happen," she said. "This story is really not about me. It is a story of God's great love and mercy and how he was answering prayer before any of us knew about it. It is a story of wonder - that God could be weaving a plan and setting in motion events that he was bringing together people and nations with precise timing. He was preparing the way, and me, all along to bring about a miracle."

While she was gone, Mrs. Barnett spoke with her family in Michigan daily. Her husband also surprised her with a visit to Israel.

Since her family could not be with her for the entire time, Mrs. Barnett was accompanied with a friend from the ministry, which paid all the expenses. During the two months, she learned more about Israel.

"It was beautiful. I was staying in an apartment that was minutes away from the Mediterranean Sea," she said. "And the people have a love affair with Americans. They listen to American music and wear American clothes. It's actually a safe place to be."

Today, she frequently stays in touch with Mr. Arabov.

"We formed such a bond. He has become like a brother to me," she said. "We talk to each other two or three times a week."

original: http://www.monroenews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061023/NEWS01/110230013
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