A Journey of Faith, Health, and Miracles
Born in Nigeria and raised in both his country of birth and the United States, Kachi’s life has been a journey of cultural transitions, professional achievements, and a faith that had ups and downs. After attending high school in Nigeria, he pursued a career in architecture and became a project manager at a college. Though raised as a Seventh-day Adventist (SDA), he fell away from his faith in his young adult life but Kachi found himself reconnecting with his faith during the pandemic in 2021. As a second-generation SDA, this rediscovery of faith led him to Westchester Korean Church in 2022, where his journey took an unexpected turn—one that tested his health, faith, and resilience.
The Health Crisis
Kachi had been managing kidney disease since 2015, but after moving to Westchester in 2022, something felt different. Seeking medical advice, he was diagnosed with Stage 4 kidney disease and was shocked to find out that he had already lost 40% of his kidney function. Determined to manage his condition, he sought out a doctor who aligned with his beliefs on a healthy diet. However, 2023 brought immense stress, including the passing of his father and increasing pressures at work. His health declined rapidly, and by November, his kidneys had completely failed.
The impact was severe. He experienced constant exhaustion, hallucinations, and an inability to focus. Even writing a simple sentence took up to an hour. Realizing the gravity of his condition, he finally sought medical help. After persistent efforts, he was seen by a doctor on December 8, where it became clear just how dire his situation was. His medical condition was so severe that it required police intervention. That night, police officers showed up at his door because the doctor’s office had been trying to reach him—he was on the brink of death. He was immediately sent for dialysis, where his kidney function was so low that it couldn’t even register on medical lab tests. The primary doctor was astonished that he was still alive.
He was started on dialysis immediately at the hospital and then continued the treatment from home. Dialysis, which only replicates about 10% of kidney function, became a daily battle. The process was draining, making it difficult to work and attend doctor’s appointments. Despite the hardships, dialysis kept him alive.
The Search for a Kidney Donor
Doctors urged Kachi to get on the kidney transplant list immediately. In the U.S., kidney transplants are highly competitive, particularly in densely populated areas. Factors such as blood type, age, and other health conditions determine placement on the list. For those with common blood types, the wait can be three to five years; for rarer blood types, it could be five to seven years. Kachi had a rare blood type so he was on the long list.
Receiving a kidney from a deceased donor is not always ideal, as kidneys with pre-existing conditions have a shorter lifespan. Kachi knew he couldn’t afford to wait years, nor could he risk receiving a compromised organ. He placed his faith in God, knowing that his life was in divine hands. But he knew that it was unlikely that he would get a transplant in time without some help from God.
A Divine Intervention
On February 1, after completing his evening dialysis, Kachi received a life-changing call at 10:30 PM from Montefiore Hospital. A kidney had just become available—a clean, disease-free organ from someone whose heart had stopped. Hospitals compete for available kidneys, which makes the process even more competitive, but by God’s grace, this match was his. He had to be at the hospital by 12:30 AM.
Everything aligned perfectly. He had already undergone dialysis that evening and had not eaten, making him ready for surgery without additional preparation. By 7:00 AM, he was in surgery. Dr. Graham, head of the department of transplant surgery and one of the most proficient transplant surgeons, performed the procedure. It would be the first surgery of the day. So both the patient and the surgeon were in optimal condition before the surgery. It was clear to Kachi that God was orchestrating everything.
When a kidney is transplanted, it usually takes time to for the kidey “wake up.” Miraculously, within an hour of waking from surgery, his new kidney started functioning. He was urinating in excessive amounts—so much that multiple bags were needed to contain it. His surgeons were astounded by how well his body accepted the kidney. Unlike many transplant patients, he experienced no nausea or rejection symptoms. The fogginess, dizziness and fatigue that had plagued him for months disappeared.
A Rapid Recovery
By Monday, a day after the surgery, he was standing. By Tuesday, he was walking. By Wednesday, he was discharged from the hospital. Most transplant patients remain hospitalized for extended monitoring, but Kachi’s recovery was nothing short of miraculous. Friends and family visiting the hospital by midweek were amazed that he had already been discharged. By Friday, he was back to cooking, cleaning, and even driving. Visitors were stunned by his appearance—many expected him to be frail and bedridden, but instead, he looked strong and healthy.
Faith Strengthened Through Trial
Kachi’s journey has deeply impacted his faith. He once prayed for a miracle, hoping God would heal him in a specific way, of healing his kidney through divine healing. But through this experience, he learned a profound lesson about God’s free will and perfect timing. He had to reach the brink of death to understand the depth of his trust in God. “If I had died, my faith would have remained. But instead, I received a testimony far greater than I could have scripted myself.” “I was blessed. It’s like when God wants to do something it’s so clear. It may look like luck, one thing going perfectly you could say luck but when you have a string of things going perfectly aligning to get you the best outcome, it’st not luck or random. It was scripted better than I expected. I knew God was in control”
Waiting seven years for a transplant wasn’t an option, but God had a better plan. Looking back, Kachi sees that every event, every moment of alignment, was not luck—it was divine intervention.
His journey is a testimony of faith, perseverance, and God’s unwavering presence. Now, he hopes that others will seek an honest relationship with God, not based on delusion or expectation, but on trust and surrender. Because when God is in control, the outcome is always better than we could ever imagine.
God is great.
Also check out this interview with Onyekachi!
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Onyekachi D. Akoma (Kachi) has worked in a variety of positions as an Owner’s Representative/ Project Manager, Design Team PM, Facilities Management Consultant and Executive Director of Facilities and Planning. Kachi currently is at CUNY York College as an Executive Director of Facilities and Planning & Building and Grounds. Kachi holds a Master of Science from MIT, and a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Pratt Institute. He lives in Westchester, New York and attends Westchester Korean SDA Church.