After the Visit: "...I now feel hopeful."

Uwadiale first visited Watermark Health during the COVID pandemic after a colleague recommended the clinic for a hand injury.  He had just recently moved from Nigeria and was unsure of where he could access care in the United States. The healthcare services and treatment he received at our Skillman location left a strong impression.

“I saw the way I was handled, the way I was treated…the service offered was good. So I was excited. Some places I go into I feel unwelcomed, or like I shouldn’t be there. I didn’t feel that way at Watermark Health. So that made me feel very good.”

Over time, Uwadiale returned for various health concerns and found Watermark Health to be a reliable place for urgent care. He was growing to trust the staff and volunteers and the clinic became a source of comfort, especially during periods of loneliness and depression.

During his visits, Uwadiale began to open up about his life with the team. He shared that he had been facing hardship in his home country of Nigeria and had immigrated to the United States to help set up a new life for his family. His wife and children still lived in Nigeria, and after several months physically separated, his wife chose to leave him. Uwadiale shared that this left him feeling depressed and anxious. While the team invited him to church to connect with others that would walk with him through these challenges, he wasn’t ready to go just yet. He had seen hypocrisy in other churches and wasn’t sure he could find help there.

“I didn’t have friends, I don’t have family members here. It kind of depressed me, especially not being able to see my kids… those visits to the clinic was a chance to find someone I could talk to. They told me about Jesus and gave me a bible and invited me to church. I was telling him that I didn’t even believe in church… but they would share with me how I should give it another chance, that the church is a community like family.”

During a lengthy visit in January of 2025, Uwadiale shared even more. He was unhappy with the turn his life had taken. That day the charge nurse on site, Jesse, shared Psalm 16:11 with him.

You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever. - Ps 16:11

They discussed what it looked like to follow God’s way of life, who Jesus was, and making tangible changes because of God’s love.

This time, Uwadiale was ready to try something new.

He began attending church services shortly after that, even going through the church membership process. He shared his testimony with Bobby, one of the church pastors who helps with membership. Uwadiale shared that he had been living in constant fear. But through the clinic, he met doctors and nurses who encouraged him that God still had a purpose for his life and could use him. These conversations at the clinic had encouraged him to start seeing things “in the way of God” like Psalm 16 had explained.

“There were things I had not shared to any people before, that Bobby let me share with him. He didn’t judge me or make me feel any type of way. He encouraged me to get involved in a small group, which I’ve since began.”

It wasn’t just church membership that Uwadiale said yes to.

“I’ve noticed there are groups of people who just complain about what others who are in a position to help our situation are not doing. But I asked myself, what about us? What are we doing to contribute to our society? So I started giving that a thought. I looked at what people at Watermark Health were doing. They are doing this not for money, but to make humanity better and care for people. I was so impressed. I talked to Bobby about ways I might be able to serve too. I offered to clean the clinic or the church or help in ways like that. Bobby told me that the parking ministry might be a good place to start serving. The Lord was pulling my heart, it’s not only about doing things for yourself, so I decided this is going to be a good thing for me to see how I can get involved.”

Uwadiale shared an excitement to be able to serve others. In fact, he showed up multiple weeks in a row to serve as a parking attendant, and later found out he only had to come once a month.

When Uwadiale looks back on the past year of his life, he can tell a lot has changed. Not only has he changed where he’s spending his time, he also has been able to connect to a primary care physician through the clinic where he is now being treated for chronic conditions that may have contributed to the heaviness he was feeling while struggling with anxiety and depression.

More than that though, his view of what it means to follow God is clearer.

“I have hope nowadays. I’ve learned this year that I was depending on other people, not on God for my hope. The only thing we can run to is God. We should not hope on man for anything. When you hope in man you only get disappointed. Before I felt like everything was just on top of me, there was a heaviness about the things going on in my life. Now I have trusted people I can talk to about my life, and a God in who I can place my hope."

As Uwadiale looks ahead to what’s next, he shared that he’s continuing to learn how to trust God for healing from past hardships he has faced and is encouraged by how current conversations are going with his ex-wife as they pursue reconciliation. He also communicated gratitude for how much his visits to Watermark Health had changed the course of his life.

“I am so thankful to Jesse and the other staff and volunteers at Watermark Health. At that time in my life if I had spoken to the wrong person, maybe I would have been directed down the wrong path for my life. I wouldn’t be where I am right now. I am so grateful for the time spent to speak to me when I was in that difficult time.”

At Watermark Health, the benefits extend on far beyond a visit. The healthcare and spiritual resources we connect our patients to have the ability to create lasting life change. As a partner of Watermark Health, you make these benefits possible. Learn more - 2025 Explanation of Benefits.