The Nigerian dilemma

Caught between the devil and the deep blue sea- The Nigerian Dilemma

In less than a month from now, Nigerians will head to the poll to choose the next person to lead that great country. I love Nigeria, not just because it is the land of my birth or because it is a wealthy country; but also because of its place in prophecy and its strategic position in the committee of Nations.  Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and the seventh most populous country in the world; we cannot ignore what happens there or pretend not to be concerned. It is important to note that whatever happens in Nigeria invariably affects several things around the globe. That said, my friends, Nigerian politics, as dangerous as it seems, is everyone’s business no matter your nationality, race, profession, location or religion.

  

Due to the ethics of my “profession” I am not supposed to be partisan, but by all means, I am allowed freedom of speech which the Pope recently told us also has its limits. Yes I can express my thoughts without being inordinate, brutal, offensive or unnecessarily forceful. A good leader should never instigate the people against instituted authorities. No matter how bad a leader is, there is a purpose why he/she is in position of leadership and every wise leader knows better than to tear down other leaders. And for followers, it has not been given to any one of us, the right or power to make mutinous statements against any leader. If fellow leaders are not allowed to do certain things against their colleagues, who are you to dance where angels fear to tread!? In dealing with leaders, caution is required.

Key Players 

I see that two key parties and two key players have emerged for the presidential position. The two parties; People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressive Congress (APC) have produced two juggernauts. No disrespect to other candidates and parties, but as a semi-neutral observer, I can’t but notice the disparity between these two and the other candidates/parties. I might be wrong, but I believe that the next president of Nigeria will be one of these two. But which of them has what it takes to move the country forward?

Looking at some information about each of them might help the electorate and other observers decide who best suits Nigeria.

APC Candidate:

1)  He is 72 years old (He was born 1942)

2)  A Muslim from Northern Nigeria

3)  Has some form of military training and qualification

4)  Was once a military ruler (for about 2 years)

5)  He ran for presidential election three times before now (2003, 2007 and 2011) and lost in all three.

6)  Has the backing of the Islamic militant group Boko Haram

PDP Candidate:

1)  He is 57 years old (he was born 1957)

2)  A Christian from South south Nigeria

3)  Has a PhD in Zoology

4)  Rose to power by what some have called a twist of fate

5)  Contested and won the 2011 general election against retired Major General Buhari with 59% of the votes

6)  Is the incumbent president and probably has some backing too

My thoughts

In the first place, I think the constitutional cut of age to be Nigerian president, makes it difficult for young people who have the know-how to lead, contest for the position. If someone is younger than forty years and leads a multi-million dollar company with several hundreds of people in his pay roll, what else does he need to prove that he has potential to lead!? Don’t tell me he needs some experience, isn’t there something like on-the-job-training? Oh! Yes I know the answer. Nobody can just come in from anywhere and contest for any elective position; there is a “cabal” that runs the polity and if such a young and rich leader is not part of the clique or does not have a godfather behind him, he has no chance. Strange! Very, very strange! What we have in Nigeria is a weird system that, among other ills,  have left top political offices for only the old, sick and tired people who have little or no ideas left in their frail minds. Rather than have young and intelligent people vie for political positions, we have people who should play advisory roles seeking leadership positions. Some even have ruled and failed and are attempting to come back again. Is it just me or does anybody else think there is clear ploy to keep Nigeria backward?

There are four factors I think the electorate should consider before voting:

1)  Age

2)  History

3)  True democrat

4)  Health condition

Not too long ago, we had a president who could not finish his term due to ill health. I think by now Nigerians have learnt not to vote-in anybody who doesn’t pass the health test. But again, I’m not too sure if the electoral commission performs any such tests and even if they do, can it be trusted? If anyone is contesting for a leadership position, I think the least we expect to know is that his organs should last for the period he intends to serve. Maybe we should not be asking for his health history, but if any of the contestants shows signs of weakness and the electoral commission allows him to contest, then we the people should not allow him get “up there”. Once bitten, twice shy. A sick leader cannot make good decisions. Sounds like stating the obvious, but in a country like Nigeria, where many of the people simulate ignorance, it is important to mention.

Boring History

In high School, History was one of my most boring subjects. No amount of coffee could keep me awake in a history class. But as I grew up, I personally took interest in history because I realized that there is no way anyone can make progress without considering what happened in the past.

I was 7 years old in 1976 when Muritala Mohammad was assassinated. I remember the fear and trepidation which followed the news of the coup and death of the then military ruler. But not too long, we had another military ruler, General Obasanjo. I’m not sure if he did badly during his tenure, but his leadership was not all that excellent; but terminating military rule, lifting the ban on political activities and initiating transition to civilian rule was among the fruits his “first coming” yielded. Not too long a civilian president was installed and history was made-for the first time Nigerians voted in their own president (at least that’s how our fathers felt).

Early one morning, December 1983, we woke up to the news that the civilian president had been overthrown. A military coup had brought down the democratically elected civilian government. Having dismantled the civilian government, Major General Buhari installed himself as the leader of the Supreme Military Council. About two years into his regime, there was another coup d’état. IBB overthrew Buhari and took over power. He ruled Nigeria from 1985 until 1993 when he was forced out of office. When he, IBB, “stepped aside”, he handed over to a so called Interim Government which did not last more than ninety days. The madness continued and culminated in the death of Sanni Abacha.

After all the Military foolishness, it was time to hand over power to the people, as they claimed. Abdusalami, who became Head of State after Abacha’s death and who, as was claimed, had never held public office, announced transition to civilian rule. Although they called it civilian rule, the masses didn’t think it was. That marked the “second coming” of Olusegun Obasanjo. Some believe that the difference between his first and second tenure as president was the military uniform. There was not much of a difference in his modus operandi.

The Catch-22

When the present president came into office, many people began to sing his praise and some even said he was the chosen one who will lead Nigeria to the “promised land”. But after one term and a half, many have come to discover that things are not always as they seem. During the tenure of Goodluck Jonathan, one can point to several things that are not working as they should. Although he claims that the electricity problem has improved, the reality on ground seems to show otherwise. Some claim Boko Haram have wreaked devastation of catastrophic proportions while the president and his government turn a deaf ear to the cry of the people. He still has not been able to help us actualize our dreams and #bringbackourgirls. Security is still a major concern in Nigeria; armed and highway robbery continues to be the order of the day. We can go on and on to list things that President Goodluck Jonathan has not been able to achieve in about seven years in office. Is he the best man for the job? I am not sure.

Like I stated earlier, two parties and candidates have become top dogs and I think the race to Aso Rock is a two horse race. Goodluck Jonathan’s PDP and Muhhamadu Buhari’s APC have emerged as the two major contestants. So if Goodluck is not the best man for the job, is Buhari the right one? Erm! You know, I have a problem saying he is better. If we consider his antecedent (how he overthrew a civilian government and etc.), then we won’t be wrong to assume that he may still have some seditious traits in his system.             

As an old Nigerian adage goes “people don’t become left handed at old age”. I agree. I find it difficult to believe that after many years of going through tough military training and working in a system that does not allow for free speech, one can change at old age and become a democrat. I may be wrong or ignorant, but can someone explain to me, how can someone who overthrew a democratically elected government suddenly wake up and say he now believes in democracy? Can a military dictator ever become a true democrat who understands and follows the rule of law and applies the principles of diplomacy? Will he become left-handed at the age of seventy-two? 

Who will I vote for?

Recently someone sent me a link to listen to a young fairly popular Catholic priest who made an open declaration criticizing the incumbent president and asked Nigerians to vote him out. I took time to listen to his emotion ridden sermon and I cannot but ask “seriously brother Reverend Father?” I really do not have any other comment than that.

When caught between the devil and the deep blue sea, I would rather take my chances with the sea. At least with the sea I have better chances than with the devil. I will swim for as long as I can and hope help comes before I drown or freeze to death. I do not want to dine with the devil not even with the proverbial “long spoon”; evil is evil no matter how nice we try to sugar coat it. Choosing to go with the devil will be selling out my soul. Why offer your soul for safety when you will die anyway!?

Let’s call a spade what it is, Nigeria’s problem cannot be solved within ten years. Let us not be fooled with all the promises these politicians make. Like Nikita Khrushchev puts it “Politicians are the same all over. They promise to build bridges even when there are no rivers” They can promise to bring heaven down to earth, but when they get there they rarely perform. No individual has what it takes to make Nigeria a “paradise” overnight. Nigeria is work-in-progress and voting for anyone from the first, second, or third republic is only a retrogressive move.

                                                                                     

Since I have to vote, I will vote for 1) the younger 2) the healthier one 3) the one I believe really believes in democracy 4) one whose history does not portend future trouble for Nigeria.

Only God has the power to save, help and transform Nigeria, but in the absence of a clear revelation of who He has chosen to use, let us vote wisely and not allow the events of 1983 repeat itself.

Don't Ignore this!

Note: I asked some of our students and trainees to review one of my articles and tell me what they think about mission. I just can't help but publish this. Please read to the end. I have chosen to publish it the way it was written; although it has a few errors, you can't resist the fact that this young missionary has had an indelible experience. You can let me have your thoughts after reading. Be blessed. 

WHY BECOME A MISSIONARY?

I recently, read about three (3) xaverian missionary nuns murdered in some part of Africa over the weekend. Women, who gave up everything in life, choose to follow the Lord even in their their old age. The same people they came to help raped and murdered them in cold blood. How sad can this be!? They loved the people, villagers and children; shared the gospel with them and yet they died for the course of Jesus Christ. I will say they were women in love with God and those they served.

Mission can be said or define as the act of sending. To send someone, or group of people to carry out a mission or an assignment in a place or a particular country. Or to be a witness in an event, cross-culture, preaching, educate, give healthcare, evangelize or give service to a group of people or a village. Been called to do mission, is indeed a privilege to be involved in God and the things of God. It is a great opportunity to be called a missionary and to do mission.

Who is called to do mission? A missionary is one who is called to do mission, follow Jesus Christ in total service to God. Also a person who dedicate his or her life in total fulfillment to God, by preaching, teaching, making disciples, spreading the gospel of Christ with everyone he or she comes in contact with. When you are called to mission, you should have great knowledge about serving God and his people. As a missionary, you sacrifice your life, food, money and material possessions for the people you are called to serve. As a missionary you are expected and required to go extra miles to making them happy and comfortable in their state of living. It is your duty  to lead them to Christ, share the gospel with them, let them know that God cannot and did not forget or abandon them in their present living condition. Being a missionary, you live with them, eat with them, respect their cultures and traditions; yet show them the way that leads to Christ. God picks who He wants to use to do His work; as a missionary, you did not send yourself to your primary assignment. God choose you for the job, you are there to meet the need of His children; God expect us to minister, love, care, educate, provide, preach and teach His people who He (God) is. He sent you for His purpose, so as to bring mankind back to Him.

Everyone loves comfort. Nobody wants to go through the hard and painful life or being uncomfortable, when he or she has all it takes to be comfortable. A lot of people left the comfort of their homes, beds, good living and the amazing luxuries of their fantastic jobs; all in the name of doing missions. Being a missionary, you are called to service and living a hard life. A great man used to say to me “my dear, you need to suffer now so that you can enjoy tomorrow.” I left the comfort of my country, home, family, life, job, business and relationships just so that I can be here. I didn’t like the fact that I could not wear my pretty dresses, fantastic high heel shoes; carry my designer bags, nice hair-do like and etc. When I look back now, I tell myself that it all doesn’t matter anymore to me now. In life, you sometimes don’t have a need of so many things; you need to be uncomfortable if you want to see the glory of God in your life. He expect you to give up things you love so much; like putting it in the garbage can and putting on the clothing of service and also getting dirty and messed up by doing missions.

I have heard a lot of things happening to missionaries today;  how the women and young ladies are been raped and killed, young men got killed in the course of serving God. Trust me, it is so much risk and many people are afraid to come to give help to the people in need. The risk of walking on the street without knowing what awaits you, the risk of helping some kids in a village and some men in that village come to you, saying “if you don’t allow me sleep with you we will kill all the kids in your care”. What will you do? Will you let them kill the kids or save them and let them have you? In life, we all go have to go through or take some kind of risk and ask God to help us overcome it. In all, if you are a lover of God you will know that this life I have is not mine, but it belong to the lord; you will do anything that will please the lord. You may say to yourself I am going for mission, and will return back in peace; that is what I call faith. God always makes a way for His own, and shows up in time. So people; what is worth doing is worth doing well. Choose this day who you will serve, for me; I will serve the lord my God who made the heavens and the earth.

The life that I live today does not belong to me, God gave this life so that I can use it to glorify His name; and also use it to bless the lives of many generations born and yet to be born. I never knew I had the grace of God upon my life to serve Him. As a young fresh graduate, I had dreams of working and owning my business; in the course of planning and also trusting the lord for open doors after my service to my country. I will like to be established, I knew I couldn’t do it alone but I need God to carry me on.  I can still recall how He sounded to me, when I asked Him what will be the next chapter of my life; and He said to me, give me one (1) full year of your service and see what becomes of you after then. That is how come I am called to do missions.

I have seen things in this country, how kids walk several kilometers to school and walk back home after the close of school; they walk to church and everywhere without shoes on their feet. It is heartbreaking, how this people feed, what they put on their body and yet happy with life. I saw and still see little babies and kids without cloths on and even when they do, you see that it is total rags, playing in weather that is 16 degrees Celsius, yet happy in the cold. It is amazing how God preserve them. They say primary education is free for all in most countries in Africa today, but yet some kids can’t even get it free or afford to go to school. I saw some kids in the course of my visit to the villages; they have never seen a real building or been in school since birth yet many of them are about 8-10 years old. And I felt for them, and cried to God to help me sponsor some kids; which I have done and there is great joy in my heart. Because, I have been able to help a child to get a good education in life. I see the older people, no way of getting help, food, cloth, shoes, and good living conditions.  Their homes have no roof, some roofed with banana leaves and when the rain comes, they sleep in it with their children like that. While so many of us have beautiful homes, expensive televisions, classy phones and so on. Some don’t even have bicycles but we have all the exotic cars, not one but cars.

I challenge all those out there to give to missions, you may just be saving a child, helping a family or saving a whole Christian village at large. When I was still back home, I was told how some people, old, young, families, kids and villages need help. I did not understand it. But I know better now. So many of us can’t come for missions; but we can be part of missions. I encourage you to support, and help the kids in need of your help and you will get your rewards in hundred folds. 

I love this mission of God, In my next world, if there is anything like that, I will do mission. Mission it is.

OM. 

Whose Business?

Whose Mission is it? 

Did you ever hear about the guy who went to Africa some years ago to do a short term mission and while he was there he decided to stay a bit longer than he originally planned to? In the course of his stay he fell ill and they wanted to rush him back to England for urgent medical treatment. While they were preparing to take him away, an old woman (whom he had ministered to) came to his bedside and said in their local dialect “you are part of us now and even though you are sick, this sickness does not kill us; so you will not die by this sickness”. Just then his face glowed with life. He regained his strength and health and decided not to go back to England. Although he was not too strong, he chose to stay with the people who had become his new family. Gradually his health picked up and he stayed in Africa for seven (7) years instead of six months.

Every one wondered why he stayed so long in a land where hunger and poverty, sickness and infections, war and death abound. In their opinion, he should not stay in a place where he didn’t have average comfort, good medical facilities and working infrastructure. In his response the guy said to them “I do not own my life and I did not send myself. Maybe we should ask whose life do I live and whose mission is this? If it is not my life and not my mission then let Him take care of me whose life I live and whose mission I do”. What a statement!

I believe the reason why so many people do not want to involve themselves in mission is because they do not understand whose mission it is. This mission is not our mission. I mean, it is not your mission, or the church’s mission. What we call mission, is God’s mission which we are privileged to be involved in. It is not a church enterprise, neither is it any individual’s business; it is Missio Dei- mission of God.

From the beginning of creation, God undertook this mission and He chose mankind to be His partner in His ‘mission’. He created everything and declared them good and created mankind to represent Him on earth. When man fell, He (God) went ahead to consolidate His ‘mission’. Up till now, God is in the business of restoring and renewing mankind and preserving creation. Indeed if the Lord does not engage in this mission, we probably would not have an earth to live in. God's mission has always been the same-preserving creation and restoring mankind and the church, indeed everyone, is called to participate in His mission.

The life that we have does not belong to us. It is God’s life which He gave to us to live for Him. When God gave you life, He intended for you to use it to glorify Him. He did not create you for any other thing than for his pleasure (cf. Revelation 4:11b). The truth is, we were created for God’s pleasure and every time we do things for self-aggrandizement, we displease God. We should do things to enhance God’s mission. We should never be afraid to sacrifice our pleasure to enhance God’s mission for truly those who seek to keep their lives will lose it but those who lose their lives for God’s mission sake shall find it. If you are blessed with finances, don't hesitate to use it to enhance God's mission. Indeed, every one of us has something to contribute to this great mandate; let’s join hands together and make God proud. 

Let us live our lives doing God’s pleasure; let us not be like the heathen who have no interest in things that interest God. Let us be involved in God’s mission for indeed we were created to do him pleasure.  

Click here to support: https://www.crowdrise.com/helpuganda/fundraiser/jaspergogo

Ebola and you

A lady asked her husband “Honey, if I have Ebola, will you expose me by calling the authorities or telling anyone about my condition?” I waited for responses to this tweet by a Nigerian young man. Some made fun of it and laughed about it, others just typed “hmm!” But one response summarizes what I think many Africans may do if their loved one showed symptoms of this deadly virus. It reads “I swear, I will keep it a secret and get some concoction that will heal my babe, I will not worsen the condition by disgracing her”. If my guess about that being (probably) what many Africans will do was wrong, the number of people who clicked “favorite” on this reply, proved me right. There were thirty-five (35) likes. Maybe I am not too surprised because I have read so many comments on Social Media where people make puerile statements about Ebola. But friends, Ebola is not something to jest about. It is a deadly disease that needs to be taken seriously.

When you think about how deadly Ebola virus is you want to really look for how to help yourself, your loved ones, your community, nation and the entire region that is affected. Ebola is not HIV/AIDS. Maybe some people have attached shame to HIV/AIDS because, in many cases, it is an infection caught from ones mischievousness. Thus, when someone has HIV, people look at him/her and say “good for you; if you had zipped up, you wouldn’t have caught the HIV. Maybe they have a point, but with Ebola, it is not like that. As a matter of fact, in this case, those more at risk are people who are out there to help the infected.  I do not believe that anybody deserves to be infected by any deadly disease and I do not believe that God punishes a people with such. If any disease is a punishment for sin, then what did a new born baby do to deserve such punishment? Maybe we humans are the creators of our own problems, or maybe these things are accidental.

I am not writing to point fingers or play the blame game, this article is to enlighten you about this recent outbreak and to show you how to protect yourself and your family.

Here is what you need to know about Ebola:

• Ebola is an extremely infectious Virus
• This is the first outbreak in West Africa
• This is also the deadliest Ebola outbreak ever
•   The disease is named after River Ebola in northern Democratic Republic of Congo
•  Fatality rate of up to 90%- which means that 90% of people who contact the virus die
•  It is not airborne but it is moderately contagious-which means that you will not contact it by walking past someone who has it. It’s not like flu or measles that are airborne
• It was transmitted to humans from wild animals (officials have it that it comes from Monkeys and Fruit Bats). It is suggested that cooking your food thoroughly could save lives. People in rural areas (or wherever you live) who eat “bush Meat” are encouraged to desist. If you must eat bush meat, cook or roast it very well.
• There are also reports of Pig to human transmission.  It is suggested that infected animals should be identified, killed and disposed of properly. But since most farmers may not want to waste their investment by killing and disposing their Pig, and the average person doesn’t know how to identify a ‘sick Pig”, it might be wise to avoid eating pig (if there are people who still eat Pig).
• At the moment there is no vaccine
•  Men who survive the infection may still be able to transmit the disease through their semen for about 60 days after they recover
•  Health workers are more at risk

Symptoms

1. Sudden fever
2. Sore throat
3.   Body weakness/fatigue  
4. Rashes
5. Red eyes
6. Aches
7. Chest and body pain
8.  Diarrhea
9. Vomiting
10. Difficulty in breathing or swallowing
11. Stomach pain
12. Internal and external bleeding

Some of these symptoms show up when the person is getting really sick which makes them contagious.    

Mode of transmission

It is important to mention, again, that Ebola is not airborne. Like we said, it is said to originate from Monkeys and fruit bats. So it seems to have been transferred from these wild animals to people whose delicacy it is. Human to human transmission is majorly by physical contact with someone who manifests the symptoms above. Someone who has the virus may not be contagious until they fall sick and when they do, their body fluid becomes infectious.  Body fluids are known to be vectors for infectious diseases, that’s why, even in the case of other infections, we are advised to avoid exchange of body fluids. When you exchange body fluids with an ill person, (either by touching, drinking, sucking, kissing and etc.) you contact any infectious disease they have. If someone is infected with Ebola, contact with any fluid that comes out of their body can transfer the virus. The list of body fluids is quite long but here are a few major ones: Saliva, urine, breast milk, earwax, tears, semen, female ejaculate, vomit, sputum, blood, feces (boo boo or poo poo), vaginal secretions, mucus and sweat.

Safety first

Like they say, it is better to be safe than sorry. The best approach to this is to stay safe. If the fatality rate is 90%, it is almost a sure thing that whoever gets infected will die.  To confirm that one has Ebola, there has to be some laboratory tests and since most of us do not understand the gobbledygook, we need to learn:

1.  How to be safe
2.  How to help those who we suspect have the virus.

Let’s leave the technicalities to those who are qualified and apply practical safety tips.

Here are some safety tips: 

• Avoid making contact with anyone who manifests the above symptoms. Don’t try to check the suspected sick person, but if you have to, protect yourself- wear gloves and wash your hands afterwards. It is probably safer to call for help if the person is very sick. 
• Common soap can kill the virus, so wash your hands very often. This does not mean that you should go about touching people who are sick. It is precautionary, in case you touched a sick person’s body fluid unknowingly, or you touched something that has infected fluid; Wash your hands again and again with soap. Do you remember the nursery rhyme? “Wash your hands (2x), after the toilet (2x), wash with soap and water (2x) keep the germs away (2x).
• Sanitize. Sanitize. Sanitize. There are all kinds of sanitizers everywhere, use them. Sanitize your home-door knobs, kitchen utensils, toilet handles, toilet seats, faucets, bath tubs, shower and everything you and your family and friends share. 
• Avoid making contact with dead bodies of those who died from the virus.
• If you feel any of the above symptoms, avoid making contact with family and friends and seek help immediately. 

True love is…

You know, I understand love. I love my family more than anyone/anything and I will do anything to protect them. But honey, if I develop any symptom that feels like this Ebola thing, I will be the first to tell my loved ones to stay away from me and call the authorities. It is an act of love to keep them at a safe distance when I’m ill and seek help. Also it is wickedness of the highest form, to have an infectious disease and demand that someone share in your disease or cover it up. If you make contact with anyone who has the virus, you stand a huge chance of surviving if you say something early. There is no wisdom in hiding the truth. If you are exposed, you do not want to expose those who care about you. If you love your family, you will not want to kill them, would you? If your child develops symptoms of this killer disease, you will save other members of the family by separating the sick child from everyone and seeking for help. And before help comes, you make sure you protect yourself as you help the sick child. And to answer your question my tweeter friend, no baby, if you have the virus I will save other members of the family by calling for help; and meanwhile, I will separate you from the family, protect myself, and see how I can help you before help comes. It will break my heart that my loved one has the infection, but it will break my heart the more to think that the whole community got sick because we were stupid. True love is revealed in how I handle critical and sensitive matters; if I love you, I will take the plunge to save you, my family and community. If you love me, I expect you to do same.

Is this ignorance or foolishness!?

Just as I write this, I looked at twitter again and here is another question someone asked “Can someone catch Ebola by kissing his infected lover? Please reply, help needed” Erm! Is it me or are some people just injudicious? Or is she actually ignorant? OK! I assume the later and I’ll answer. Yes, saliva is a body fluid and the virus can be transmitted via saliva.

Some others were tweeting about drinking and bathing with salt water and how it prevents and kill the virus. First I thought it was a joke until I realized that many of them were serious. I do not see how salt intake can kill a virus. Don’t be fooled.

I also read the messages circulated about bitter kola. Well, there is no harm in eating bitter kola, it has medicinal powers. But I’m not sure you should risk contacting Ebola and  eat more bitter-Kola just to find out if it can heal you. That’s a risk not worth taking. If really there is ongoing research to see if it can be the cure to this malady, then let’s wait until we have a definite result. But even at that, I do not want to take the risk of becoming sick to get the treatment. Let’s be safe.

Faith factor

I am a man of faith and I live by faith. I believe the word of God when it says that none of these diseases will come upon me or mine and I pray these scriptures daily. I pray for my family and friends and all of you reading this and I believe that God will protect us from this plague. Although, faith works, I also warn against foolishness in the name of faith. Faith doesn’t say we should throw caution into the air and live recklessly. A man of faith will pray, stay away from dangerous and unsafe behaviors and be honest when they see something that will make things worse. So I challenge us all to have faith. Pray, protect yourself and your family, and help the authorities where necessary. God needs us all to stop this plague. The government needs us to fight it. This infirmity is temporal and soon it shall pass. Together we will fight it and we will overcome. I pray that you will not be a victim of this or any plague, in Jesus name! Amen!

PS: A young girl said to her mum “…I heard that in 2001 Ebola killed 224 people at ‘XYZ’ place and I know uncle Jasper is there. I’m worried for him, and I’m praying for him… he is like a dad to me” I was so touched when I got this text one morning. Phoebe, thank you for looking out and praying for me, I appreciate your love, concern and prayer. And I want to say I love you too.

Someone needs you

Do you feel Useless?

Two weeks ago, I had a conversation with a lady who felt like she was the worst woman on Earth and she did not believe that God or anyone had need of her. Her past had a hold on her; it hindered her from being useful to herself, her children, her family and indeed her generation. Her tale of woe almost got me to accept that she was the most useless woman. But by divine prompting, I recommended that she read my book “Winning Ways for Wise Women” and get back to me. She called me back today sounding so excited about the book. When I asked her what Chapter challenged her the most, she said “from the foreword, to the positive confession, every part of the book inspired and encouraged me; but if I must choose one, then it will be chapter 18” She thanked me for the book and promised to make sure all the women in her life read it. After the phone call, I quickly opened chapter 18 of Winning Ways for Wise Women and yes, it is very encouraging. 

Sweet Sisters Serving the Savior

God is raising women from all across the globe and He is placing them strategically at the right places for the Master’s use. They are everywhere and they got it all. They are beautiful, skilful, intelligent, creative, enterprising, spiritual…name it, they have it; they are the Sweet Sisters Serving the Savior. The moment they met the Lord they gave their hearts, time, resources and all they have to worship the Master. They do everything within their ability to propagate His love to those in need. From every tribe and tongue, racial barriers are broken, as God’s loving ladies take their place in the forefront to ensure this gospel is preached in every nation. They served in the days of Christ, the Apostles and till date, women are holding it down in the name of the Lord.

Saved to serve- From the well to the City

John 4:5-30

When Jesus stopped by to ask for a cup of water from a Samaritan woman, the disciples thought it was a little bit odd that:

1) He was talking with a woman and no one questioned Him

2) The woman was from Samaria and the Jews had no dealings with Samaritans.

They wondered “why would Jesus relate with a woman who, under normal circumstances, He should not relate with?” Well, I know. Things are not always as they seem at first; to the ordinary eyes it looked as if He wanted water to drink because He had come from a long journey. To some it might look like He wanted to chit-chat with a lady. Some may even think Jesus was trying to foster peace between the two communities. But no, Jesus knew this woman would become a sweet sister who would use her knowledge and experience to advance His cause. It was much more than the cup of water, the woman or her tribe; it was not even about Jesus this time, it was about God’s Mission

This woman, whom the writer did not identify, had no clue when she woke up in the morning that she was going to have a life changing experience. She probably went to that well daily to fetch water, but this day was different. She met a man, a different kind of man. Her conversation with Jesus led them to the issues she had battled with all through her adult life- Men issues. She was living with a man whom she was not married to, and she had married five men before the present man. I am not too sure if I agree with some who claim that this woman was a prostitute. In the first place, prostitutes do not marry their clients do they? Probably not! And Jesus said she has had five “husbands” not five “civil partners”. Not five “Live-in lovers”. Not five “clients”. The master said she had married five men, so it is clear that this woman was married to five separate men at different times, and each of the five marriages ended for whatever reason. She must have gone through all manner of issues with these men that she probably was not ready to marry anymore. I mean, that is my explanation for her not marrying the one she was living with at that time. She probably is one of those hurting women who put up a front so nobody knows what they have been through. Maybe some of her ex-husbands abused her and abandoned her. Maybe others just found another woman they considered better than her. Or, it could be that some cheated on her and she dumped them. Or may she cheated on one and was dumped. We can look at her from afar and judge her but what ever the case, Jesus was not as interested in her past life as He was interested in giving her “a future and a hope” (cf. Jeremiah 29:11).

When Jesus told her who she is and her antecedents, she was amazed and concluded that He was a prophet. She was that deep; you may see her as a sinner but she was sensitive enough to know that standing before her was a God sent man. Like someone said and I agree “men have sight but women have insight”. That deep knowledge that Jesus was a man sent from God, would have been enough to convince her; but to get more revelation, she quizzed Him further and Jesus exposed some divine mysteries to her and opened her eyes to see more than the ordinary. Hit by the power of Jesus’ revelation, she ran back to the city and told all the men of the land about Jesus. She lifted up the name of Jesus and drew men unto the Lord “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all [men] unto me” (John 12: 32 KJV). Mission accomplished! But wait a minute; during the few minutes she spent with Jesus, she contacted a prophetic anointing? “The woman then left her water pot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?” (John 4:28-29 KJV). To call Jesus a prophet was deep but to tell the world that He is the Messiah? That is prophetic anointing right there.

Are you like this woman and you have had your heart broken in pieces, and you doubt if there is any hope for you? There is healing for you right now. If you have not received Jesus, let Him in today. He is ready to work on you. If you have embraced Him but still hurting, it is time to let go and let Jesus fix you. It is time to let him reveal to you the depth of His love. You have been in the house of the Lord carrying this pain all over; the time for your healing is now, because the master has need of you. The woman ran back to “men”, same people who hurt her; she went to give them the good news. When you are truly healed, you will be bold enough to face your past headlong and deal with it. This sister was no longer shy, hurt, or unforgiving; she went to the men of the town and told them the good news of her new life. She became one of the sweet sisters serving the savior.

Sometimes your past holds you down and does not allow you become the woman God made you to be. The enemy comes to steal your peace, to kill your joy and to destroy your life; but Jesus came to give you an abundant life full of testimonies, and he wants to help you live beyond your every limitation (cf. John 10:10). The Lord needs you physically, psychologically and spiritually whole. He does not want anything that will weigh you down and not allow you do the work He has called you to do. So like the woman at the well, who left her water pot behind to go do the work, let go of every weight that will be of hindrance to your serving the savior. “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1 NASB). 

Free your heart of every hurt. Free your spirit of every burden. Free your body of every weight. The master needs you.

Excerpt from Winning Ways for Wise Women. Get yours @: 

US: http://www.amazon.com/Winning-Ways-Wise-Women-Gogo/dp/9789358822
UK & Europe: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Winning-Ways-Wise-Women-GOGO/dp/9789358822

What do we do with David Cameron

Sad Sunday Morning

Sundays have always been exciting for me. From my years as a teenage musician in a local church, to the years I had the rare privilege to occupy the hard, mind-numbing, challenging but exciting role of a pastor, going to church on a Sunday morning has always been special. The church, for me, is a place of refuge from the scorching heat and turbulence of our wicked world. From Monday to Saturday, the week may have been tough and I may have had some bad experiences that probably got me discouraged, stressed or even close to giving up, but when I wake up on Sunday morning, nothing that happened to me the past week was important anymore.  Once the day breaks on any Sunday, hope comes alive; my face glows, joy floods my soul and every weakness in me disappears, all because I am going to the house of the Lord to worship the King. Not ill health, bad weather, riots on the streets or threats to my life stopped me from going to church; come rain, shine, hail, snow or brimstone, if I am alive, I am going to church on Sunday morning. Indeed “I was glad when they said let us go to the house of the Lord”.

But as I write this, it is Sunday morning and I cannot go to church as usual. I woke up, looked at the clock and rushed to the bathroom because I was late for service. While I was dressing up I looked out the window and realized that I was in a different country, a place where everybody who chooses to worship “openly” must worship on a Friday. It is the culture/law of the land that everyone who wants to worship must do so on Fridays. My countenance and “joy level” dropped and with sadness I chose to turn on the television to see if I can, at least, see/hear something edifying. It took me a couple of minutes to find a channel that broadcasted English and when I found one, what did I see? No it is not good news. It is not songs of worship and celebration. No I didn't hear anyone celebrating my King. What I heard in the news was a protest. I heard some disgruntled fellows protesting a statement made by the British Prime Minister.

State of confusion

David Cameron called Britain a Christian country and some atheists, humanists, secularists, and some confused Christians, teamed up to blast the Prime minister.  Their argument is that Britain is a plural society and the Prime Minister’s assertion has negative consequences for their politics and society. They vehemently rejected any attempt to tag Britain “Christian Country”.  The news worsened my day.

Here I am, in a country whose government tagged “Islamic”, a land whose legal system is “Sharia” and all the people who live here must abide by that; I cannot worship openly, I cannot worship on Sunday, I may not be able to say I am a Christian, yet some people have such privilege in their country and do not appreciate it. Here, it doesn't matter what your religion/belief is, you are in a Muslim country and you are expected to live your life according to the principles of their religion. They are proud of their religion. Even though they claim to accommodate other cultures and religions, they will not as much as give you freedom to worship when you want, not to think of allowing you pray to any other god publicly. I mean, even my Chinese friends cannot get their famous fortune Cookie after eating in a Chinese restaurant. Why? Because there is only one national religion here and allowing you have your cultural food here is big enough. In this land, they will not tolerate any attempt to contaminate their religion with any strange practice; they are an Islamic country, they practice it openly and they are proud of it. Their religion is their culture and it reflects in every aspect of their lives including their politics. As a matter of fact, in this region, if you want to participate in government, you must have a strong inclination to their religion. Their religion and State are one and same.

The people in this region exalt their religion even beyond their business. They take breaks from their business/work to pray and nothing stops them from doing this daily. They have prayer rooms in their offices, malls, airports and other public places. Good for them, right!?

In contrast, many Western countries are beginning to deny or reject their religious heritage. They claim that modern day society is secular and not religious; they believe that State and religion are two separate things and should be separate. In some Western countries, people are clamoring for the removal of anything related to God, Jesus or religion in public places. Some have taken prayers out from their schools, and many do not bother to worship on Sundays because they have come to accept the new ideology. People mock those who still have time to pray over their food and some school teachers go the extra mile to make sure children do not make a public declaration of their faith. I have not seen a Christian prayer room in any Airport in UK, US, or any Western country. There may be, but I have not seen. So, is Christianity becoming weaker and less influential? Some say it is called pluralism, but I doubt that pluralism is a call to deny or downplay one’s faith.

Pluralism or Identity crisis?

Simply stated, a plural society is one in which people of diverse belief and cultural orientations coexist.  It does not mean lack of religious inclination. It does not mean rejecting or denying your cultural or religious identity. In a plural society there are people from various cultures, religions, beliefs and practices; they are all expected to live together in peace while each practices their convictions freely. In such heterogeneous society, freedom is the name of the game. Everyone is allowed to express themselves. I do not believe however, that a heterogeneous society means not to identify with a religion. There may be several cultures and religions in such society, but there has to be a “host religion” so to say. The leader and indigenes of the land are expected to highlight and promote their faith. But sadly, in most Western society, that is not the case. Pluralism, in my humble opinion, should not mean that we are afraid to identify with our home religion. It can only mean that we tolerate other religions/cultures but do not fail to identify with and celebrate, by all means, our honorable faith. Promoting and celebrating one’s faith is probably the cure to identity crises.   

WANTED-Defenders of the Faith

If you are a Christian politician, manager, supervisor, etc. and cannot take a stand and declare your faith, then you have failed not only the people whom you represent, but also God. In case you do not know, there is a purpose for every promotion and I can confidently tell you that you are lifted to bring honor and praise to the name of the Lord. This is not to say you should confuse work with religion, it simply means that you should do your work in such a way that Christ is exalted. Have you ever used your break time to worship or pray? No! Your belly is your God so that’s what you “worship” during your break.

You are either for us or against us. If you are for us, then you will represent and defend our faith no matter where you find yourself.  There is no middle ground, you are either raising the banner of Christ or you are bringing shame to His name. God is looking for men and women who will take a stand and declare their faith.  He wants men and women who will stand up and defend the many believers who are persecuted daily. If you are a Christian in power and you don’t care about the plight of the brethren, then you are not qualified for greater honor.  God needs defenders and promoters of His cause. God needs you.

And For David…

While some people criticize David Cameron, I think he is a hero of the Christian faith. The British Prime Minister deserves to be honored with the highest form of honor. If the British people will not celebrate him, I believe that there is a remnant that applauds him for his stance. I am one of those who celebrate and appreciate his boldness. He is not like some other leaders who are either ashamed or afraid to take a stand. He is strong enough to declare his faith even at the risk of his political career. Such a man should be celebrated. He is a hero who knows that even though Britain accommodates other cultures and religions, it cannot afford to deny its heritage.  We need more leaders like him. We need people in government who will stand for what they believe. Hopefully we can have a “David Cameron” in the US who will motivate and challenge America to celebrate their holy heritage. 

Lord, send a messenger to remind the American people that unless they return to and trust in the Lord, they are heading for doom.   

On this I rest my case.

Selah!  

What is happening to you?

Just a while ago you had a very terrible experience and you said “never again”, but here you are, back to the same place where you used to be. Here you are, in the same situation you were in the last time. You had sworn that you will never be that stupid again, but here you are, you have played the fool again.

What is wrong with you? You keep making the same mistake again and again and you think nothing is wrong with you? How long does it take for you to realize that you are heading to “sudden death”? How long will it take you to realize that you are on your way to total destruction? Have you not seen that the path you have chosen is the conduit to eternal damnation? Can’t you see this is the highway to permanent failure?

A while ago you started a project and somehow you did not finish; you felt like a failure and you asked for another chance. You promised yourself and the world that if you ever get another chance, you would go all the way and finish. But here you are, you have given up again, you are about to drop out once again. Here you are, at the same cross road where you failed in the past. Looking back to your past, you see all the abandoned projects; while failures of the past challenges and spur others to press on and reach the top, to you it is a sign that you cannot make it. What is wrong with your mind? Is there a reason why you cannot think straight? You started school but did not finish, you started a relationship but did not finish, you started a project but did not finish; you started the weight loss program but did not finish and now you have started yet another and already your heart is faint. What is wrong with you?

What do you see?

Look yourself in the mirror, what do you see? Are you getting closer to the man/woman you dream to be? Are you heading towards your vision/dream? Are you stagnant and have become a pain to those who know you? Do people look at you and pity the woman who begat you? Are you bringing shame to the family whose name you bear? Are you bringing disgrace to the name of the Lord whom you profess to love and serve?

Last year you made a resolution and you said it so seriously that everyone took you serious. That was the same thing you did the year before and the year before that. Yet, after many years, you still have not improved. You still have not lost weight, you still have not gone back to school and you still have not written that book; you still have not made that investment, you have not put yourself together and you are still telling stories about what you wish to do. When people ask you why you are the way you are, somehow you always have the right answer. You play the blame game. “It is my parents’ fault; they didn’t leave any inheritance for me”. “It is the government; they do not have plans for the citizens. “ It is my pastor’s fault, he/she is not anointed and it is affecting me”. “It is because I was raped as a kid, I still cannot get my mind to get over it”. “It is the environment I live in; we are a product of our environment”.

What is wrong with you that you keep going back to your “vomit”? Just the other day you cried and “threw up” all the things you felt were killing you, but now, again, you have gone back to lick that which you threw up.  Isn’t it insanity of some sort, when someone continues to do a thing that’s killing them!? If it is not insanity, do you think someone cast a spell on you? Maybe it is not insanity, maybe it is not a spell. Maybe you have chosen the path of destruction. Maybe it is your choice.

Your choice, your life

Some days ago, I saw a commercial in a public place and each time I see it, I shudder for fear. The commercial shows a pretty young girl who in her teenage years chose to smoke. It showed different stages of her exciting and beautiful life and culminated in her last days before her death. The last days of her life was miserable, her state was deplorable, for want of a better word.   The conclusion was that smoking destroys people and those who engage in it are encouraged to quit. Each time that commercial comes on, it shakes me to my bones and I feel very sad. On this day, as it came on, I watched it with a young girl and when it finished I looked at her and said “sad right?” She said to me “it is just a commercial”. My response was one word “seriously?”  A few minutes later, as I walked out of the building, I saw her smoking and she looked at me and smiled.  I was amazed. But something occurred to me; it is her life and her choice, she can choose to do with it what she wishes and I hope in a few years from now she will proudly sit back and “enjoy” the consequences of the choices she made.

I do not believe you are a failure because of what others did or did not do. It is your choice. I do not believe that it is the spell cast on you that makes you keep going back to your “vomit”; I believe it is your choice. You have chosen not to grow beyond your past and you go back to it because you like the rut. Don’t tell me that the reason you are a failure is because of what your parents did or did not do, accept that you are a product of your choices.  There is a way that seems right to you, but the end of it is destruction, writes the wise man.  

Which one are you?

Is this the first time I am writing along this line? No! Will everybody who reads this choose to do right and do better? No! It may not be the first or the last time anyone will read these lines, but some will choose to make the best out of this and make a decision to be useful and productive and end up enjoying the fruits of the seeds they sow today.  Some will act emotionally and pretend to be touched and in not too long a time, go back to those things that lead to abyss. Some others will look at it and say "it’s just an article” and ignore the message to their own peril.  Which one are you?

Choose today who you will serve, if God, then serve God. Choose today what you must do, if to move beyond your past and rise to the top, why not!? Choose this day to finish that project; the glory is not in beginning but in finishing. Choose today never to go back to your vomit; you may not recover from the next “lick” from your past life.