The Gift of Life

Nearly 50 years ago, Kaye Zienneker became a Christian.  “You can’t explain the peace God gives. It’s amazing. It’s like nothing else.” Despite the peace she felt with God, her circumstances were anything but peaceful. Kaye endured the sadness and grief of losing an adult son and battled through her own traumatic, life-threatening health crisis. Through it all, Kaye’s faith grounded her as she continually returned her thoughts and prayers to God and his powerful peace.

Six years ago, after coming to terms with the unexpected and untimely death of her son, Kaye began experiencing discomfort in her back. The pain became so persistent and severe, she was given steroid injections to help ease the pain. Shortly after the injections, she developed flu-like symptoms. These became so disabling, she was admitted to the hospital for a battery of diagnostic tests. “I felt like I had the flu, but it just kept getting worse and worse,” remembers Kaye. After four days in the hospital, her internal organs began to shut down, leaving the doctors perplexed and striving to find answers.

As she battled for her life, God continued to comfort her through the community of other Christians. Because Kaye lost her 32-year-old son in the same hospital just a few years earlier, the priest on staff remembered her and began to spend time with her, listening and praying. They spent time together talking about life, her son, God’s goodness, and Kaye’s amazing faith. As she struggled through those first few days of uncertainty, his familiar face and soothing fellowship provided her with a calming reassurance of God’s presence in the situation.

Due to her involvement in a Wednesday morning Bible study with the Women of Saddleback San Clemente, her small group visited her often, praying with her and asking for God’s healing. “The women prayed for God to restore my life,” remembers Kaye.

Finally, one test revealed Kaye was battling an unusual and highly infectious strain of Escherichia coli (E. coli). Most strains are harmless, however, a few strains can cause severe infection and even death. “I didn’t know how sick I was, I didn’t realize I was so close to death,” says Kaye. “My doctor said I should not be alive.”

It took more than two months of treatments and rehabilitation before Kaye was back up and on her feet again. Several more weeks were necessary to combat the secondary infections she contracted from all the medication. As weeks turned into months of recovery, Kaye continued to rely on her faith. Even on the darkest days during physical isolation due to her infectious condition, she felt the ever-present peace of being held in God’s embrace. “My life was in his hands,” says Kaye. “He knew what was best for me.” Now healthy, Kay is a witness to the healing power of prayer and faith.

Over the years, Kaye has served as a volunteer in several Saddleback ministries. She refers to the Super Kids Ministry as her “first love” because she enjoys working with special needs children. Through this ministry, she’s been able to connect with three autistic boys and help them over a three-year period. The boys continue to hold a special place in her heart.

Kaye loves to give back to Christ by serving others through Saddleback. “I am grateful he spared my life,” says Kaye. “It makes me want to serve him more. Everybody says I do too much, but I can’t give enough for all he’s done for me.”