Controversial South African-based Malawian prophet Shepherd Bushiri has lost his 10-year-old daughter Israella Bushiri who was flown to Kenya in March for specialized surgery.
Israella had been battling an unknown disease and was airlifted to Kenya for a transplant.
On Monday, Bushiri broke the news of her daughter’s demise eulogizing her a strong pillar for the family that has been the face of ‘persecution’ in South Africa over alleged money laundering.
In a lengthy post on his Facebook page, Prophet Bushiri said: “Israella was born during a time when my wife and I were going through great persecution, and she has lived her life witnessing what it means to fight and labor for the Lord despite trials and battles.
“She came at a time when we really needed her and through it all, she offered my wife and I, including the entire church great comfort and enlightenment.”
He described Israella as a child who loved worship and serving God at a tender age, therefore, her demise is a great loss for his family and the church.
“Israella was a strong young girl who loved to worship and serve God, despite her young age. She was brilliant in her speech and possessed a divine excellency in the way she spoke and even tackled her studies.
“If things could be reversed we would have desired it to be so. However, the will of the Lord is above our desires. We have experienced it and have accepted it. We are a church of God’s love and strength and His love and strength will carry us forward from this day forward,” he wrote.
In March, the Malawian government had barred Bushiri’s family from travelling to Kenya but later allowed four of the family members to accompany Israella to a top Kenyan private hospital for the surgery.
Due to the money laundering case, he is battling in court, Bushiri and his wife are considered a flight risk. They cannot leave Malawi unless with the approval of the government.
