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‘God Loves You’ Helps in Saving a Man from Suicide

After spending nearly seven hours hanging from a sign above an Oklahoma highway, an unidentified man seeking to end his own life changed his mind after a good Samaritan told him, “God loves you.”

Rick Jewell, the good Samaritan, told News Channel 8 that his son noticed that the man in distress was coincidentally in the exact location as a giant cross that is illuminated during the holidays.

“I stayed over here and prayed for 15 minutes when I first got here, and then my son says, ‘Look over their Dad. There’s a cross right behind him,'” Jewell noted.

Onlooker Trei Jackson told the news station that Jewell’s intervention did the trick after the man in distress did not respond to calls to climb down from the sign above Interstate 244.

“Ole’ boy told him that Jesus loves you, basically, and that you ain’t do no wrong, to come down, just ask for help. He came down,” Jackson said.

“God loves you guy,” Jewell said to the man, prompting him to come down.

“I just started talking to him, and I told him there was more to life than what he was doing and that God loved him,” Jewell explained.

“He looked at me, and I told him to throw me his cigarettes, he threw me those, I said throw me that rope, he threw me that rope, and I said now get down from there. I said they’re going to help you. He headed down. Simple. It’s crazy.”

“But I also told you what I did for 15 minutes over there before you showed up; I was praying. So, that had a lot to do with it, I’m sure,” he said.

According to News On 6, Tulsa Police said that the department is relieved that the man climbed down from the sign on his own, unhurt after nearly spending seven hours.

The man reportedly climbed up to the sign at around 9 am and climbed down at approximately 4 pm.

Tulsa Police Officer Andre Baul explained that the man had prior contact with negotiators in a separate incident and noted that he was in distress because of ongoing legal issues in his life.

“He was scared about the future, about what he was going to be facing once he came down,” Baul said.

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Winners Chapel set to celebrate 40th Anniversary

Living Faith Church Worldwide aka Winners Chapel is set to Marks It’s 40th anniversary on May 2021.

The beginnings of the church manifested on May 1, 1981, when Oyedepo (aged 26) had a spiritual encounter while lodging in one of the rooms within ‘International Hotel’ located in the Omi- Asoro Quarters of Ilesa city, in the present day Osun State of Nigeria. 

Bishop David Oyedepo had an eighteen-hour supernatural encounter which was a vision from God. And God spoke to him saying,

“Now the hour has come to liberate the world from all oppressions of the devil, through the preaching of the Word of faith; and I am sending you to undertake this task”. 

In 1983, the church began operating with four members on December 11.

Canaanland was procured in 1998 and was initially 560 acres (2.3 km2), it is in Ota, Ogun, Nigeria.

The church’s international headquarters, Faith Tabernacle, was built in Cannanland between 1998 and 1999, taking twelve months to complete. 

The foundation laying took place on August 29, 1998.

In 1999, the Faith Tabernacle was inaugurated with 50,400 seats. 

On Dec 11 2013, Oyedepo’s first son, David Oyedepo Jnr, ministered for the first time at the church’s annual Shiloh gathering.

In December 2015, Oyedepo Jnr became the resident pastor of the Faith Tabernacle.

First announced in late 2015 as the “Faith Theatre”, the 100,000 seat stadium-like project was officially retitled as “The Ark”, unveiled at the church.

Sited on about a 1000 hectares of land (the site of the old Faith Academy compound), within the vast premises of the current church building, the Ark will specifically accommodate 106,000 seats and will include a 24 Floor Mission Tower (International Headquarters Facility) made up of 2 twin towers of 12 floors each.

Upon completion, the existing 50,000 seater Faith Tabernacle will serve as an overflow facility. The construction of the facility was official flagged off at a special ground breaking ceremony on Thursday, 25th March 2021.

 
Bishop D. O. Oyedepo unveils God’s agenda for the forth coming event:

“Recently, I was before the Lord asking, Lord Jesus, what is your agenda for this forth coming prophetic event? Then the Spirit of God began to say:

  • It shall be a celebration of the validity of the Liberation Mandate.
  • It shall be reenacting the Liberation Mandate at this event.
  • I shall be wiping away tears from off all faces – Isa. 25:6-8
  • I shall be turning the mourning of many into dancing p- Psa. 31:5
  • I shall be bringing the struggles of many to a final end – Matt. 11:28-29
  • Many men and women that are childless shall be turned to joyful fathers and mothers of nation – Rom. 4:17-21.
  • Many besieged destinies shall be released like a dream of the night – Psa. 126:1
  • Many captives shall be turned into celebrities after the order of Joseph – Psa. 102:17-19
  • It shall be a platform for our prophetic entry into our promised land both as a Commission and as individuals.
  • This prophetic event shall be like 40 Shilohs put together in impact.
  • What! Looking back at the growing impact of Shiloh over the years and to now have a prophetic event that will be like 40 Shilohs put together, definitely requires every Winner’s attention.
  • Taking a week-long break to drink into the fountain of the Liberation Mandate at the 40th anniversary is more than worth it.
  • Yes, we shall worship, we shall praise, we shall celebrate but we shall not loose focus of God’s agenda for this prophetic event.
  • We must all be on the look out for a raw reenactment of the Liberation Mandate at this prophetic event because everyone’s turnaround package ordained for the year shall be fully delivered.
  • For this reason, we are all admonished to prepare to meet our God as individuals in this highly prophetic event.
  • We shall be having Hour of Visitation teaching sessions in the morning and Encounter Nights in the evening, among others.
  • The events opens with a Special Thanksgiving on Sunday May 2nd for the faithfulness of God in watching over the Liberation Mandate and confirming His words in our midst over and again for the past 40 years.
  • It shall also conclude with a Special Thanksgiving service on Sunday May 9, 2021 for diverse encounters granted everyone of us in the course of this ‘most memorable prophetic event’.

Looking forward to seeing you at this prophetic event of the Commission.

Remain ever blessed in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen!

Jesus is Lord!

David O. Oyedepo”

Watch Video Bellow:

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8 Nigerian Christians Abducted By Gunmen Are Released

Eight Nigerian Christians of Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) who were abducted by gunmen one month ago have just been released, The Christian Post reports.

“Today, I got the exciting news that our brethren who were in [the] captivity of kidnappers have all been released and taken to the hospital for check-up and tests.

Glory be to Jesus. We pray for lasting peace in all troubled regions of the country in Jesus’ name,” RCCG General Overseer Pastor Enoch Adeboye said on Twitter.

Gunmen reportedly abducted the Christians as they traveled to a “Let’s Go a Fishing” Easter outreach program.

It is unknown who abducted the pastors or whether they are affiliated with any terror organizations. It is also unknown whether a ransom was paid for their release.

However, the Nigerian government has a no-ransom policy, which they have told their citizens.

The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs’ Samuel Aruwan said in a statement,

“The position of the Kaduna State Government remains the same: The Government will not negotiate with or pay ransoms to bandits.”

According to the U.S. State Department, Nigeria has trouble with corruption, terrorist attacks, kidnapping and poverty.

“Notwithstanding important steps forward on consolidating democracy, the country continues to face the formidable challenges of terrorist attacks, inter-communal conflicts, crime and kidnapping, and public mistrust of the government.

Nigeria has yet to develop effective systems to address corruption, poverty, and ineffective social service delivery,” the State Department wrote about Nigeria on their website.

Additionally, the Family Research Council, in a February 2021 report, states,

“Since the dawn of the 21st century, and with horrifying acceleration in recent years, verified reports of murders, rapes, mutilations, and kidnapping of Christians in Nigeria have persistently increased. These attacks are frequently accompanied by the torching of homes, churches, villages, and agricultural fields.”

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WORD FOR TODAY: The Mickey Mantle story

Mickey Mantle is one of the true legends of baseball history. He played 2,401 games for the New York Yankees from 1951 until 1968, hit a record eighteen homers in twelve World Series, and was placed in baseball’s Hall of Fame in 1974.

The crowd loved him. He was famous. He was rich. But he still felt empty inside, so he turned to alcohol.

In a Sports Illustrated interview, he once described his long battle with alcohol and his heartbreaking problems with his family.

The interviewer then asked, ‘So how are things going with you today, Mickey?’ He replied, ‘I haven’t had a drink in eight months. I’m starting to get my life back together, but I just feel like there’s something missing.’

Do you feel that way today? Have all the things you’ve achieved or acquired failed to satisfy you? Mickey Mantle finally discovered how to fill the hole in his soul.

Near the end of his life he found what he had always been looking for – Jesus Christ. Another famous former baseball player, Bobby Richardson, led him to Christ.

At Mantle’s funeral, Richardson told of helping Mantle receive the Lord Jesus as his personal Saviour. On his death bed Mickey Mantle said,

‘I am trusting in Christ’s death for me to take me to Heaven.’ Home run!

And what Jesus did for Mickey Mantle, he wants to do for you too.

‘Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun’ (2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT).

This is our ‘Word for Today‘.

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Sonnie Badu’s Song Resurrects A Dead Baby

In a viral video, a woman has shared a testimony of how her daughter received life after she was confirmed clinically dead by doctors by playing Sonnie Badu’s song “Baba” .

This news has taken the internet by storm as she emotionally shared her story.

According to the middle-aged Ghanaian woman by her daughter fell into hot water for over 5 minutes unnoticed.

After rushing her to the hospital upon meeting the sad scene, the doctors requested her to fill two forms to confirm the demise of her daughter because they could not save the situation.

According to Madam Grace, She was saddened by the incident but kept on to her faith that, her daughter will receive life.

She picked up her phone and started playing ‘’Baba’’ by Sonnie Badu.

‘’ I placed my phone beside my dead daughter with ‘’Baba’’ by Sonnie Badu on repeat, at that time my eyes were closed and I saw myself in some deserted place, praying and crying while I held unto my dead baby.

After 30 minutes of playing the song, I felt rain pouring on me with a thunderstorm, then I saw someone shake me, when I opened my eye I saw my baby crying and then I shouted for the Doctors’’

Madam Grace has expressed gratitude to God for saving her daughter and Sonnie Badu for being a blessing to her life with ”Baba”.

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70 evangelicals released from prison in Eritrea

Seventy Christians from evangelical and orthodox backgrounds, including women, have been released from three prisons in Eritrea, some after being held without charge for more than a decade, according to the U.K.-based Christian Solidarity Worldwide.

In what could be an attempt to distract the attention of the international community from Eritrea’s role in the ongoing war in the Tigray region in neighboring Ethiopia, the Eritrean government last Monday released 21 female and 43 male prisoners from Mai Serwa and Adi Abeito prisons near the capital city of Asmara, CSW reported.

Some of the prisoners had been held without charge or trial for up to 12 years.

On Jan. 27, six female prisoners, who had been in detention since last September, in Dekemhare, which is southeast of Asmara, were also released.

The women were arrested for worshiping in public, a video of which was shared by some on social media, CSW said.

“CSW welcomes the release of these Christians in Eritrea, who were detained without charge or trial, and should never have been incarcerated,” CSW President Mervyn Thomas said. “However, this good news must not obscure the Eritrean regime’s continued complicity in egregious violations of human rights, both within its own borders and now in Tigray.”

Unconfirmed reports have suggested that there have been a series of fatal assaults committed against citizens in Tigray, a predominantly-Christian northernmost region of Ethiopia.

Last month, witnesses spoke with The Associated Press, detailing killings, looting and other abuses committed by Eritrean soldiers in Tigray.

“They would kill you for trying, or even crying,” a 48-year-old woman named Zenebu who works as a healthcare worker and lives in Colorado but was trapped in Tigray for weeks while visiting her mother, was quoted as saying.

She added that some Eritrean soldiers went from door-to-door, killing Tigrayan men and boys as young as 7 years old.

Zenebu detailed how she looked on as she saw Eritrean soldiers loot the belongings from residents’ homes.

She said their pockets were filled with stolen jewelry and recalled some troops trying on looted clothing.

“They were focused on trying to take everything of value,” she added, saying that they even stole diapers.

She saw trucks being loaded with boxes of looted items that were to be delivered to places in Eritrea.

Estimates suggest that thousands of Eritrean soldiers have fought in the Tigray War on the side of the Ethiopian government.

However, the Ethiopian government has denied the involvement of Eritrean soldiers in the conflict.

Eritrea’s president, Isaias Afewerki, is a member of the Eritrean Orthodox Church in Asmara — belonging to the largest among the only three Christian denominations allowed to function in the country.

However, 75-year-old Afewerki, the leader of the ruling People’s Front for Democracy and Justice Party, has the reputation of being an alcoholic and a ruthless autocrat.

Afewerki’s policy of restrictions is more about his fear that religion will mobilize people as a political force than religion per se.

Thomas called on the international community to press Eritrea for the “immediate and unconditional release of all those detained arbitrarily on account of their religion or belief.”

“We also call for urgent action to arrest the unfolding crisis in Tigray, including by imposing arms embargoes on the warring parties, and sanctions on the leaders of Ethiopia and Eritrea, who bear ultimate responsibility for human rights violations that are allegedly being committed with impunity by their respective forces.”

On Dec. 4, the government released 24 Jehovah’s Witnesses, including conscientious objectors Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos and Negede Teklemariam, who had been held for 26 years.

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For King and Country’s Luke Smallbone, Welcome a New Baby

For King and Country Member Luke Smallbone just announced the birth of his daughter on Instagram. This comes after he mourned the loss of one of his other children a few years ago.

“Today is a very special day in our household…. as we just welcomed our first little girl into our family!!”

Smallbone captioned a picture of him with his baby on Instagram. The baby is named Evie Joy Smallbone. The baby’s name means, according to Luke’s wife, Courtney, “to breathe, breath, living, life.”

New Smallbone baby

Luke went on to say in his post,

“Courtney and I have always longed to have a girl join our family, but after 3 terrific boys we weren’t sure if that would ever take place.”

Further, he touched on the death of one of his children, saying

“A few years back we lost a little baby, so this girl (I’m now holding) redeems so much in our hearts. A dream of our darling girl was dreamt many years ago and today, we thank the Lord for the gift of our daughter.”

Smallbone and his wife originally announced they were pregnant on their 10th wedding anniversary, where they went into depth about the miscarriage they had and were happy they were pregnant again

 “Today feels like a victorious day & Luke & I stand in awe of God in all the details, the wonder of life & I’m so happy to not have acid reflux anymore lol,” Courtney also wrote.

The Smallbones welcome a new baby

Smallbone started For King and Country with his brother, Joel. The duo are known for multiple Christian singles, but their most notable is perhaps their collab with Dolly Parton titled “God Only Knows.”

The song won a Grammy for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance and Song and highlights the struggles people face that only God knows.

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Nashville Police Officer Praises God for saving his life

A Nashville police officer is praising God for saving his life after a massive explosion took place from a recreational vehicle on Christmas Day.

According to Yahoo News, Metropolitan Nashville Police Officers James Wells and Amanda Topping were close to completing their shifts on early Christmas morning when fellow officer Tyler Luellen, requested backup for a possible shooting in downtown Nashville.

Upon arriving at the scene, both officers heard audio from an RV that told occupants of nearby buildings to evacuate because there was a bomb in the vehicle that was about to explode. The vehicle also played the 1964 hit song “Downtown” by Petula Clark before exploding.

Topping, who was inside her car, grew antsy as people from inside a building near the RV began to evacuate.

During a Sunday press conference, Wells, who describes himself as a “spiritual person” explained how God told him at the last minute to move away from the vehicle before the blast.

“This might not be politically correct, but this is my truth, I literally heard God tell me to turn around and go check on Topping, who was by herself down on Broadway.” Wells said, according to CBS News

As soon as the bomb detonated, Wells noted that he lost his footing and temporarily lost his hearing. But he soon got up and ran towards Topping, who had started walking towards Wells before seeing “the biggest flames” in her life.

“I don’t know how I kept my footing, but … I couldn’t see him for a second, I just lost it, and I just took off in a sprint towards him. And, like he said, I’ve never grabbed somebody so hard in my life.” Topping explained.

Wells praised God for saving his life, otherwise he would not be alive to celebrate Christmas with his wife and children.

“I’m not going to shy away from that, because that’s what saved my life,” That’s what got me to see my kids and my wife on Christmas. And ‘good to see you’ has a completely different meaning for me now.” he asserted.

On Saturday, federal agents searched the home of suspect Anthony Quinn Warner, 63, after Google street view images showed an RV parked in Warner’s backyard.

Police explained that the description of the vehicle matched the one from the explosion.

Police Chief John Drake noted that human tissue was found following the blast and that authorities were examining it to see if it was human remains.

On Sunday, Donald Q. Cochran, the U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee, confirmed that Warner was the bomber.

Warner “was present when the bomb went off, and he perished in the bombing,” Cochran noted.

According to investigators, Warner acted alone but did not understand his motives for the blast, which injured three people and destroyed 41 businesses and other buildings close by.

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13 Year Old Accepted Christ Despite Wrath

When Susan Ithungu renounced Islam and accepted Christ as her personal Lord and Savior at the age of 13, her Muslim father subjected her to harsh conditions hoping that she might change her mind.

Suzan was beaten and locked up in a cramped space, bent over, and in pain.

Several months passed before neighbours realized what was happening to Susan and notified the police, who rescued her, having survived on small amounts of food and water that her brother was able to secretly give to her.

Susan suffered from untreated malaria while locked away and the months of calcium deficiency affected her growing bones, resulting in permanent leg damage.

“I could not leave Jesus Christ. I decided not to leave Him because He has given me eternal life, and even if I died there, I knew that I would go to Him,”

Susan Ithungu

Open Doors International, a US-based organization serving persecuted Christians around the world, says a pastor in Uganda who visited her immediately after her rescue revealed she was extremely thin and unable to walk or talk.

“Her hair had turned yellow, she had long fingernails and sunken eyes, and she looked very slim, less than 21 kilograms,” he said.

Thankfully, with support from among others Open Doors and Voice of the Martyrs (VOM), an international nonprofit organization whose mission is to defend the human rights of persecuted Christians, Susan’s medical bills were fully catered for.

The organisations provided funds that enabled her to travel to a hospital in Kenya. VOM also provided living expenses for her and her Christian caregiver, Dreda.

Following the heartless incident, Suzan and her care taker Dreda were relocated to another village, where she (Suzan) is protected from her father.

Under confinement, she was severely malnourished and suffering from a large number of dangerous health problems. She underwent surgery in 2017 in Kenya. (Photo | Open Doors.)
Susan then and now. The image on the left is of Susan in 2011, the one on the right is of her recovering from her recent operation. (Photo | Open Doors.)

Last year, Suzan developed an infection in her thigh that required another immediate surgery. Through all of her difficulties, Susan has held onto her faith.

“I feel very well,”… “because I’m now with Christ.”

Susan told VOM

“This girl has gone through a tough time,” the VOM worker said. “She has, however, stood firm no matter what she had to go through, including rejection by her father and subjection to walking with crutches. She has pulled through and is growing stronger in the Lord every moment.”

According to VOM, those who have cared for Susan have helped her realise that God will never leave her in her time of need.

Susan shares her story in churches around the country and encourages other believers to continue to help, and pray for persecuted Christians.

She hopes to someday be able to share the Gospel with her father and others who hurt her.

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NIGERIAN GOSPEL ARTIST JOE PRAIZE,WAS ROBBED

Popular Nigerian Musician Joe Praize was robbed. The artist took to his Instagram page to share the traumatic experience him and his family went through and posted a Thanksgiving video conducted for them yesterday Sunday the 20th September 2020.

Joe Praize reassured everyone that nobody was hurt. He said

It has been very traumatizing between my wife and I , but we give thanks to God for the victory we have in Christ Jesus.”

Following the attack, a Thanksgiving service was conducted to thank God for saving them. The artist continued by proclaiming, saying,

The evil men came (armed robbers) and in their minds they conquered but I say to them they will be murdered.

We are alive and strong, no life was lost and no life will be lost.

It was a terrible experience but thank God we have the victory. Whatever was taken and destroyed will be replaced by the one that brought them in the first place”.

JOE PRAIZE BIOGRAPHY

Joseph Omo Ebhodaghe popularly known as Joe Praize, was born on June 20, 1979. He is a Nigerian gospel singer, praise and worship leader, songwriter and music director who rose to popularity following the release of his hit song “Mighty God” off his debut album My Praise.

Born in Edo State Nigeria, into a family of nine, Joe Praize was born again in 1991. A graduate of Social Work and Administration from the University of Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria, he has since become a praise and worship leader at the Love World also known as Christ Embassy. He is married to Joana  and they have a baby boy.

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EVANS AND PURIST OGBOI WELCOMES A BABY GIRL TO THE FAMILY

A new member has been added to the Ogboi’s family as they welcomed a healthy baby girl on the  8th July 2020 at 02:46 am. Evans Ogboi on his Facebook page glorified God for this blessing:

To the excellent creator, God of the heavens and the earth. Our father and our God thank you Daddy for another precious gift, we are lost of words. We stand together to testify that there is Nothing our God cannot do. We give you praise Lord we give you praise.

UK based artists Evans and Purist Ogboi are a married couple who both have singing careers in the gospel industry.

Evans Ogboi is a gifted singer, songwriter, music producer and recording artiste. He is the music director of the award winning Living Faith Connections Mass Choir in London UK.  Evans now has his own label “Simplicity records” which has produced loads of great records within the gospel music scene. Evans Ogboi released his debut album titled “MIRACLE” in 2007 and it has been a blessing to many worldwide.

Purity is a multi-award winning artist. She has a very unique style; a fusion of contemporary rock, hip hop, neo-soul and ballad. She graduated from BIMM “Tech Music Schools London” where she studied Vocals and Music Performance.

In 2013 she released her debut EP titled I NEED YOU with 4 official videos also out now.

She released her 15 track album which she titles THE ENCOUNTER in August 28th 2016.THE ENCOUNTER is Purist Ogboi’s debut album released on the 28th of August 2016.The album contains 15 great songs birthed in the place of prayer and worship encapsulating her walk with God.

Born into a family of gifted gospel artists it won’t be a surprise if our little Ogboi grows up to be one.

We welcome you to this world and congratulations to the Ogbois.

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25 Year Old Shared Testimony Of Heaven and Hell

We all have at least once wondered what happens when we die. Josh Miles shared a testimony of experiencing what happens when we die. Pastor Kyle Searcy of Fresh Anointy house of worship during his sermon series” Shine: Living A Life That Matters In Eternity“, interviewed 25-year-old Josh Miles and his father Willie Miles.

On January 3rd, Josh after work was rushed to the hospital by his father as instructed by God after his temperature spiked to 106 degrees. His father during the interview said while rushing to the hospital Josh lost consciousness. Josh said he remembered his soul leaving his body and floating in the air ,then later saw himself falling to hell. He vividly described hell to be hot without fire he said ” It is like glowing molten rocks, you feel the heat but you won’t pass out. You feel extremely hungry, it is everything bad you can imagine, you can’t breathe nor talk, and you loose your mind as images of your worst thoughts go through your mind”. He went on and said there are a lot of people and a lot of screaming, there is begging for God to save you but at the same time you know it is too late.

After a while Josh said he found himself ascending to heaven which took a while and the first thing he saw was God’s throne before him. He described heaven to be ” a place with the purest light, no shadows, the throne of God surrounded by animals with a strong presence and you don’t remember anything. All you want to do is serve God”.

Josh later felt himself falling back to earth and back to his body. When he woke up, the doctor informed him he experienced a heart attack, stroke and seizures.

Pastor Kyle Searcy before he made an altar call, asked Josh what is the advice he could give and he said:

 ” Being dead is not the worst thing, but the worst thing is where you go. You got to get things together and be obedient”

Josh emphasized.

” To get serious and get focused”.

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How Okey Sokay’s wife gave birth in a Taxi

Wife of gospel music singer and Rox Nation Artist, Okey Sokay shared her scary but amazing story of how she gave birth to their second son in a local taxi. Nkechi Okechukwu, on Monday, February 3rd, welcomed her second child inside a taxi while heading to the hospital with her husband, Okechukwu, shortly after she began having serious contractions.

Mrs Okechukwu took to her Instagram page to share the beautiful story of how she gave birth to her baby by herself inside the taxi with her husband and the taxi driver looking terrified.


Read her post below…

So what I wasn’t even sure was contraction started this morning at about 6:30 am. Thought they were just cramps but as they intensified, we had to head to the hospital by 6:50 am. We were heading to Eko hospital Ikeja from Ogba. Lagos traffic this morning was gangster. We decided to take Oregun road. At the time the contractions had become unbearably painful. But I just kept telling myself we would still make it in good time as my water had kuku not broken yet. Before I knew what was happening water broke o. This was about 7:30 or so. And I calmly made the announcement so that my husband sitting in front and driver would not panic more than necessary. Got to Oregun and traffic was really bad.

By this time, with each contraction, I was groaning like a wounded lion (no kidding!). There’s a level of pain that is beyond cry O! I remember they always warn us at antenatal that we should never push(resist as much as possible) until we are up to 10cm dilated else you harm yourself or the baby. But then, when one is at about 7-8cm, the body just keeps pushing the baby out by itself and that’s always the hardest part of labor for me. I resisted for as long as I could, plus no medical personnel to check me if I had gotten to 10cm yet.

By that time my husband was telling the driver, we should turn back and look for any hospital around Oregun. At the same time, I told both of them that if they have any doctor friend they should call for me to speak with the person and ask how I can deliver the baby and what to do when it comes (by this time I already knew he was going to come in the car). They called a doctor and that one was just shouting ‘tell her not to push o, she should hold on small while you guys find a hospital around’. Hold on ke, me that could already feel head, despite the fact that I closed my legs shut, trying to keep the baby in. The next contraction and groan sent the head out fully. And I just kept shouting ‘oh shit, he’s here, oh my God, he’s here!’ My husband turned and saw the head. Before he could turn a second time, I had a whole baby in my hands.
 The driver was already traumatized. Before he came out, I just kept praying to God that he would come out and cry by himself. Because that’s where I would have been completely clueless if he hadn’t cried or maybe wasn’t breathing immediately. It’s a medical personnel that would know what to do in that case. But he came out crying loudly and it was the most beautiful sound ever! We still hadn’t found hospital o. AC was on, car was so cold even after turning it off, baby was still crying I’m guessing because he was cold, wet, sticky, our hospital bags including baby clothes and blankets were in the trunk of the car, my husband in his confused state had started pulling shirt for me to wrap baby with.. That was when we saw a couple nearby that directed us to a primary health center that was just about two minutes away.

We got there and in a few seconds, nurses and midwives were all over the place collecting baby, cutting the cord, delivering placenta all inside the Taxify guy’s car. One then said how do we now carry her inside, I remember shouting ‘I can walk now, my leg did not break’. We all laughed while I was thinking to myself ‘Omg what just happened, did I just have my baby in the car!’ I know this post is super long, but I just had to do it to tell you guys how faithful God is. A million and one things could have gone wrong, but God was truly in every detail of this delivery. He delivered this baby himself and caused us to laugh in the end! Guys meet my beautiful boy Jaron (song of rejoicing) Ikechukwu (God’s power)Wonderful (His daddy gave him this morning).

Congratulations to Sokay and his wife Nkechi.

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Testimony

This is one testimony that will really and truly inspire you

This is a testimony you should read when you are home and won’t be distracted.

Its very very very inspiring although very long too.

It will charge you up.

?
THE ENGRACED BEAUTY
Many people wouldn’t believe it when I tell them that I am from a VERY poor background!

I mean, very poor to the extent that most times we would soak garri in a very big bowl overnight so we would have sufficient breakfast the next day.

My dad was a roadside vulcanizer.

My mum was a cleaner at the public toilet at Oshodi.

My twin and I were hawkers- of groundnuts, cold sachet water, charcoal and just anything in season!

But because of the special beauty, eloquence and smooth, luscious skin the Lord had blessed me with, I was considered well off when anyone set their eyes on me.

And well, I am well off!

I look at where I am coming from and I say that I am indeed well off! The Grace of God all over me is just too glorious! Why and how God decided to take interest in me is something I am even yet to decipher till date.

Did I attend a good primary school? I did! God raised someone to pay my 1500 naira per term bill for the six years I spent at school- a total stranger who my mum had provided more than enough tissue paper at the public toilet where she worked! I graduated as the best student!

What of my secondary school education? Well, I attended one of the best schools in Oshodi then. Our fee was 40000 naira per term and one man decided to pay it! Why? His daughter who was my best friend in church insisted she wanted us both to attend the same school! I graduated as the best student yet again!

Well, another person picked me up when it was time to move to the university. I was in the bus going home after a very tiring hawking when a rough looking guy started disturbing me and asking for my phone number. I refused of course- I didn’t even have a phone!

One woman who was seated beside us smiled at me after I had successfully put the rough looking guy in his place. She said she would love to give me a present for being a chaste girl in this age. She asked what present I would love. I playfully said ‘Four Years Sponsorship at the University ma’ and she smiled as she wrote her phone number for me. ‘Consider it done, beautiful!’ It was unbelievable!

After graduation as the best graduating student, I was awarded a scholarship to Oxford University. I was the Valedictorian yet again!

Who am I, Lord?

I worked per time at the department and the little I could gather before my programme would end, I kept sending home so that my twin sister could also go to the university and my parents could move to a larger house.

However, by the time I got back to Nigeria after my programme, it was a different case! It seemed as though the favor rain which was pouring upon me had ceased! We could barely eat twice a day!

When it seemed as though my twin sister would be withdrawn from school at the third year, I had to take my prayers more seriously. The Lord asked me to start a school. What? A school?

Of course I loved to teach but I couldn’t even imagine that happening with my terrible financial state. But since it was the Lord that said I should do it, I decided to trust Him wholly!

When I told my pastor about what was coming from the Lord, he passed the announcement to the church and we got some contributions- 5000 naira. A bucket of pink paint. A bag of toys. A small plastic table and two small chairs. A mat. Some children story books. A baby cot.

‘Lord, this wouldn’t go anywhere!’ I had cried but He asked me to go on and start.

I rearranged our sitting room and put up a cardboard signpost in front of our house. Grace River Academy was what the Lord had called it so I named it that as well.

The first day at school, I had ten pupils- Two of them were strangers and they paid their complete fee of 2000 naira each. Five of them were from our ‘poor’ neighbors around who only wanted to help me fill my class. They brought ten naira each when they were coming!

The last three of the pupils were babies. They would whine and cry. They would scream and throw tantrums.

At a point, I entered my bedroom to cry seriously. I didn’t say anything to anybody but after the serious wailing, I moved to my ‘class’ and started teaching again. I was not encouraged but I continued teaching.

I taught so much so that I had grown so fond of my pupils. They all excelled brightly at the end of that academic year.

At the end of three years, we had increased in number to twenty with just seven of them being the ‘serious’ ones who was at least bringing in some money.

As I taught, I applied to so many other places for job but I got none! A Grade A graduate from home and abroad, it was a very challenging time for me!

The day my Alma mater remembered me and asked me to come for interview, I suddenly developed serious, acute stomach pain- appendicitis!

I lost that opportunity and soon enough, the ‘appendicitis’ disappeared.

I got an offer from Oxford University too but the day I would attend the online interview, I woke up with a swollen face and leg so much that I couldn’t stand up from bed.

I was bedridden for five days and as soon as I got better and reached out to them, the door of that opportunity had been shut!

‘Bloom where you are!’ The Lord told me one day.

“Bloom where I am, Lord? Does this even make sense? I am an Oxford University graduate! I was the Valedictorian of my set yet what do I have to offer? I keep missing rich opportunities!” I retorted.

“Who gave you all that you have? Who gave you?” The Holy Spirit asked again.

“It was You! It was You but what is the use? You should have even let me be on the streets hawking! Why would You take me that high to bring me this low? Why?” I wept bitterly that night till the next morning.

I was still sluggishly moving out of bed when my mum said I was having a visitor at our ‘school’. I jumped out to find one woman with two beautiful girls beside her on our settee. I genuflected and she smiled beautifully as she saw me.

“You must be Grace, right?” She asked and I shook my head.

“No ma. My name is Taiwo ma”

“Taiwo Grace Adeniyi, right?” She asked again, looking so sure.

“No ma. Just Taiwo Adeniyi ma” I said and she frowned slightly.

“But the Lord said Grace na. Didn’t I hear that right?” She asked rhetorically, her head tilted to a side.

“It was the Lord that called me Grace, right?” I asked, knowing where the whole thing was coming from.

“Yes” She nodded with great surety.

“Yes ma. I am actually Grace. The Lord calls me Grace. I thought it was just a name between myself and Him. I didn’t know the Lord had publicized it” I said and the woman burst out laughing.

“It looks as if I will love you my dear. You are so sweet and funny” She said and I chuckled.

“I am fluttered ma” I said shyly.

“Yeah, so you are the proprietress of Grace River Academy right?” She asked and I reluctantly nodded. The way she called the school sounded too excellent than the real thing.

“My son sent his children from Colorado last month. He wanted them to have home training in Nigeria” She said and smiled again.

“Oh, mummy, are you Mummy Londoner? The mummy that lives down the street?” I asked suddenly and she started laughing.

“I guess I am as popular as they say I am” She laughed again and I joined her.

“To what do I owe this visit ma?”

“I want to enroll my grand-kids. I don’t want them too far away from me and the Lord said they should come to Grace River Academy. G. R. A! That was what the Lord called it!” She said and laughed again. I sighed and shook my head.

“Ma, I don’t think you will be able to…”

“How much is the registration fee?” She shut me up quickly, still smiling.

“It’s one hundred naira ma” I said and she burst out laughing. She laughed so much that when she was done, I had tears in my eyes which I tried to hide.

“What of the school fees?”

“How old are they?” I asked, trying as much as possible not to break down in tears. I knew too well that the fees were too meager for her person.

“6 and 4”

“6 will pay 2000 and 4 will pay 1500 naira” I said and she looked shocked.

“Per hour right?”

“No ma. Per term” I said and she burst out laughing again.

“Grace! Funny Grace!” She exclaimed, picked up her handbag and started walking to the door, still laughing. “Children, please follow me” She said still laughing.

I fell into one of our dusty, foamy cushion, the sides of my head pounding.

“What was that? Did she just come here to ridicule me?” I asked as tears rushed into my eyes.

Just then the door opened. I turned to look back and it was Mummy Londoner.

“Won’t you follow me? I am a grandma. You shouldn’t stress me!” She said and shut the door. I wiped my tears and scurried after her.

When I got outside, she signaled for me to enter the Range Rover parked in front of our house. I hesitated.

“I am not a ritualist. Come in” She honked.

“Let’s go Taiwo. I will go with you” My mum said and soon we were on our way to God-knows-where. She wouldn’t tell us where we were going too no matter how hard we tried. She kept humming ‘Jerusalem’ song till reached an estate.

She drove in and told me to close my eyes. I frowned slightly but obeyed, my heart beating heavily.

She drove on for like five more minutes, my eyes still shut. I couldn’t even think about it. I didn’t know what it was but I shut my eyes.

“Oh my God! What is this?” My mum screamed as soon as the car was brought to a halt. My heartbeat tripled.

“Can I open my eyes ma?” I asked anxiously.

“Not yet!” She said. “Ma, you and the children can go inside there while I speak to Grace?” She asked

“Sure, madam!” My mum answered. Soon, the doors opened and closed. Mummy Londoner drove forward and stopped.

“Open your eyes” She said and I did. We were on an open field. I looked around and didn’t find anything special.

“Grace, I have been having sleepless nights over your case”

“Mine? You know me from somewhere ma?”

“I do not!” She said and held my hands. “Grace, I will tell you a story, please listen attentively”

“Okay ma” I replied pensively.

“Last year, the Lord instructed me to purchase four units of houses in this estate and renovate them for a very large school. He gave me the exact plan of what He wanted and told me to start. I hesitated because education was just not my thing! I am a farmer and a business woman. But when the Lord says go, one must go indeed!”

“Okay?” I asked anxiously, my heart still racing fast.

“The building project finished and the Lord said I should buy two school buses. I obeyed. I should buy a fine jeep. I obeyed. I should build two small flats behind the school, I obeyed. I should go to the authorities to register the name of the school. I obeyed. I should start running the adverts on the radio and TV. I obeyed. I didn’t know what I was doing or why but I obeyed still!”

“Hmmm” I nodded, wanting the story to be quickly told. She sounded too slow for my liking.

“There was no more instruction afterwards until last month when my son sent his kids home. He said he wanted them to be in Nigeria for a while. I asked the Lord to guide me on the choice of the school they would attend and He said He would”

“Okay?”

“So, one day, I went to Mummy Kola’s hair salon to weave my hair. It was there and then that her children jumped in and started speaking English well. They were doing their sums beautifully. She and her friends were then gisting about one Grace River Academy and how intelligent the teacher is who transformed her dullard children to kings and queens” She said and I chuckled.

Funny woman!

She wouldn’t even pay her children’s school fees o!

“The Lord said I should enroll my children in that same school. Since then, I have plied our street trying to find the school. I couldn’t. Yet, the Lord wouldn’t leave me alone. I asked Mummy Kola for the address and she showed me your house. I was shocked, truth be told. I questioned God but He insisted.”

“Hmmmm” I sighed

“I asked Mummy Kola what the name of the school is and she told me Grace River Academy! I was stunned! That was the same name He gave me for the school I built in the estate”

“You can’t be serious!” I exclaimed, not still knowing exactly what to say or do.

“He then said, go and give Grace everything! That was when everything made sense!” She said still smiling. I shook my head dreamily.

“I still don’t understand ma”

“The buildings, the school buses, the jeep are all yours!” She said and I shook my head with great disbelief.

“How can it be ma?” I laughed shortly.

“The Lord said you would doubt it. Anyways, the ridiculous prices you were calling for school fees and registration fees isn’t just it. I have been instructed to sponsor your twenty students and my own. So this is 50 million naira here for a start. It is small, I know but we will grow.” She said and I started laughing as she handed the check over to me.

“Ma, see, I really do not understand what you are talking about. See, what is really happening here ma?”

“You know God too right? Go ask Him!” She said as she turned and started going back by the way we had come. “See, what was used to complete everything was just 500M. In comparison with what the Lord has done for me and my family, that’s nothing!”

“Ma” I chuckled uneasily. “500M? I don’t get that ma” I stuttered and she burst out laughing.

“You are too dramatic mehn!” She exclaimed as she honked in front of a gate. The gate opened automatically as a gate-man saluted her. She stopped and wound down her window.

“This is your madam. I am just her contractor. Greet her, please” She said and soon, like five uniformed men moved to my side and started saluting. I waved at them uneasily as tears formed in my eyes.

“Those men each earn 150k per month.” She told me as she drove in.

“What! My dad and mum need a job as soon as…” I was saying when she burst out laughing.

“The dad and mum of the proprietress need a job in their daughter’s school? Very hilarious lady!” She said as she pulled the car to a stop and hopped out.

I looked outside of the car and goosebumps filled the whole of me.

“Impossibleeeeee! Impossible! Lord, this is a dream! Lord, this is a dream! I can’t believe this! I can’t!” I burst out crying. I cried till I lost my voice.

I would look up at the gigantic school that had the ‘G.R.A.’ Inscription and weep again!

When I had cried enough and asked God for forgiveness enough, I looked outside and saw my mum rolling on the floor. I was crying so loudly, singing as she did. Mummy Londoner joined them as they started one of Tope Alabi’s song:

Oluwa E dara (Lord, You are so good)
E dara o (You are so good)
E dara (You are so good)
Oluwa E tobi (Lord, You are so good)
E tobi o (You are so good)
E tobi (You are so good)
Ko s’eni ta le fi sa’kawe Yin o (Noone can be compared to You Lord)
E dara (You are so good)
Ko s’eni ta le fi sa’kawe Yin o (Noone can be compared to You Lord)
E tobi (You are so good)
Oluwa (Oh my Lord!)

“I am never late, am I?” The Lord asked as I walked round the school environment. I couldn’t even answer the Lord in words! I shook my head to everything He said!

I was too overwhelmed!

I was too flabbergasted!

“You are graced my dear. You are!” He said again and I nodded sheepishly, my head really light like it had been deflated.

“No matter how long you spend in the valley, when you faithfully serve there and you graciously listen to me, one of two things will happen to you. You will either flourish in that valley or climb up to the mountain and bloom there!”

“Hmmmm…Lord!”

“Your place is with the kings!”

“Lord, I didn’t even know that You were planning all these and I got tired and spoke anyhow to You!”

“You are human! You held tight enough! You did! You trusted me! And when I realized you were losing it, I supplied more grace to you”

“Lord, what have I done to deserve this?”

“Nothing! It’s just grace! That is all! I never shower my blessings on just anyone! I shower on people that I am sure have my heart! People who would use my blessings well! That would affect where they are for me!”

“And that is me?”

“You are beacon of hope in this generation. I want you to start here. This isn’t even the beginning of what you are going to enjoy from me.”

“Whaaaat!”

“Serve on!”

Today, Grace River Academy is 10 years and has produced more than 50,000 graced students in Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, Namibia, Gambia, The USA, United Kingdom. Our graduates are known to be excellent and Godly wherever they find themselves.

We are proposing the start of the Grace-River University in the United Kingdom and over 90% of the capital for the project has been acquired!

When I look back at how God has dealt so wondrously with me, I still pray.

‘Oh Lord, may I never leave the covers of your Grace!”

I would say:

“Oh Lord, may I never be a Grace waster!”

I tell the story everywhere I go that one of the greatest prayers to pray in the Bible is Psalms 23 verse 6:

Surely, Goodness and Mercy shall follow me, all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the House of the Lord forever and ever! Amen!

That verse summarizes how graciously the Lord has and is still dealing with me.

Ah! No wonder King David was just different in his generation! He was so graced to the extent that generations after him enjoyed that grace!

I encourage you today to hold on to the Lord! Don’t give up! Hold on to Him! Stay by Him, Learn by Him, grow by Him, listen to Him, obey Him and He would take you to the highest parts of the earth for Himself alone!

I leave you with the words in Psalms 27 verse 14:

Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord!

Stay where the Lord has planted you for He alone knows if you are groomed enough to be transplanted to a higher place or remain in that place, flourishing gloriously!

Story by Sis LizzyTHE ENGRACED BEAUTY
Many people wouldn’t believe it when I tell them that I am from a VERY poor background!

I mean, very poor to the extent that most times we would soak garri in a very big bowl overnight so we would have sufficient breakfast the next day.

My dad was a roadside vulcanizer.

My mum was a cleaner at the public toilet at Oshodi.

My twin and I were hawkers- of groundnuts, cold sachet water, charcoal and just anything in season!

But because of the special beauty, eloquence and smooth, luscious skin the Lord had blessed me with, I was considered well off when anyone set their eyes on me.

And well, I am well off!

I look at where I am coming from and I say that I am indeed well off! The Grace of God all over me is just too glorious! Why and how God decided to take interest in me is something I am even yet to decipher till date.

Did I attend a good primary school? I did! God raised someone to pay my 1500 naira per term bill for the six years I spent at school- a total stranger who my mum had provided more than enough tissue paper at the public toilet where she worked! I graduated as the best student!

What of my secondary school education? Well, I attended one of the best schools in Oshodi then. Our fee was 40000 naira per term and one man decided to pay it! Why? His daughter who was my best friend in church insisted she wanted us both to attend the same school! I graduated as the best student yet again!

Well, another person picked me up when it was time to move to the university. I was in the bus going home after a very tiring hawking when a rough looking guy started disturbing me and asking for my phone number. I refused of course- I didn’t even have a phone!

One woman who was seated beside us smiled at me after I had successfully put the rough looking guy in his place. She said she would love to give me a present for being a chaste girl in this age. She asked what present I would love. I playfully said ‘Four Years Sponsorship at the University ma’ and she smiled as she wrote her phone number for me. ‘Consider it done, beautiful!’ It was unbelievable!

After graduation as the best graduating student, I was awarded a scholarship to Oxford University. I was the Valedictorian yet again!

Who am I, Lord?

I worked per time at the department and the little I could gather before my programme would end, I kept sending home so that my twin sister could also go to the university and my parents could move to a larger house.

However, by the time I got back to Nigeria after my programme, it was a different case! It seemed as though the favor rain which was pouring upon me had ceased! We could barely eat twice a day!

When it seemed as though my twin sister would be withdrawn from school at the third year, I had to take my prayers more seriously. The Lord asked me to start a school. What? A school?

Of course I loved to teach but I couldn’t even imagine that happening with my terrible financial state. But since it was the Lord that said I should do it, I decided to trust Him wholly!

When I told my pastor about what was coming from the Lord, he passed the announcement to the church and we got some contributions- 5000 naira. A bucket of pink paint. A bag of toys. A small plastic table and two small chairs. A mat. Some children story books. A baby cot.

‘Lord, this wouldn’t go anywhere!’ I had cried but He asked me to go on and start.

I rearranged our sitting room and put up a cardboard signpost in front of our house. Grace River Academy was what the Lord had called it so I named it that as well.

The first day at school, I had ten pupils- Two of them were strangers and they paid their complete fee of 2000 naira each. Five of them were from our ‘poor’ neighbors around who only wanted to help me fill my class. They brought ten naira each when they were coming!

The last three of the pupils were babies. They would whine and cry. They would scream and throw tantrums.

At a point, I entered my bedroom to cry seriously. I didn’t say anything to anybody but after the serious wailing, I moved to my ‘class’ and started teaching again. I was not encouraged but I continued teaching.

I taught so much so that I had grown so fond of my pupils. They all excelled brightly at the end of that academic year.

At the end of three years, we had increased in number to twenty with just seven of them being the ‘serious’ ones who was at least bringing in some money.

As I taught, I applied to so many other places for job but I got none! A Grade A graduate from home and abroad, it was a very challenging time for me!

The day my Alma mater remembered me and asked me to come for interview, I suddenly developed serious, acute stomach pain- appendicitis!

I lost that opportunity and soon enough, the ‘appendicitis’ disappeared.

I got an offer from Oxford University too but the day I would attend the online interview, I woke up with a swollen face and leg so much that I couldn’t stand up from bed.

I was bedridden for five days and as soon as I got better and reached out to them, the door of that opportunity had been shut!

‘Bloom where you are!’ The Lord told me one day.

“Bloom where I am, Lord? Does this even make sense? I am an Oxford University graduate! I was the Valedictorian of my set yet what do I have to offer? I keep missing rich opportunities!” I retorted.

“Who gave you all that you have? Who gave you?” The Holy Spirit asked again.

“It was You! It was You but what is the use? You should have even let me be on the streets hawking! Why would You take me that high to bring me this low? Why?” I wept bitterly that night till the next morning.

I was still sluggishly moving out of bed when my mum said I was having a visitor at our ‘school’. I jumped out to find one woman with two beautiful girls beside her on our settee. I genuflected and she smiled beautifully as she saw me.

“You must be Grace, right?” She asked and I shook my head.

“No ma. My name is Taiwo ma”

“Taiwo Grace Adeniyi, right?” She asked again, looking so sure.

“No ma. Just Taiwo Adeniyi ma” I said and she frowned slightly.

“But the Lord said Grace na. Didn’t I hear that right?” She asked rhetorically, her head tilted to a side.

“It was the Lord that called me Grace, right?” I asked, knowing where the whole thing was coming from.

“Yes” She nodded with great surety.

“Yes ma. I am actually Grace. The Lord calls me Grace. I thought it was just a name between myself and Him. I didn’t know the Lord had publicized it” I said and the woman burst out laughing.

“It looks as if I will love you my dear. You are so sweet and funny” She said and I chuckled.

“I am fluttered ma” I said shyly.

“Yeah, so you are the proprietress of Grace River Academy right?” She asked and I reluctantly nodded. The way she called the school sounded too excellent than the real thing.

“My son sent his children from Colorado last month. He wanted them to have home training in Nigeria” She said and smiled again.

“Oh, mummy, are you Mummy Londoner? The mummy that lives down the street?” I asked suddenly and she started laughing.

“I guess I am as popular as they say I am” She laughed again and I joined her.

“To what do I owe this visit ma?”

“I want to enroll my grand-kids. I don’t want them too far away from me and the Lord said they should come to Grace River Academy. G. R. A! That was what the Lord called it!” She said and laughed again. I sighed and shook my head.

“Ma, I don’t think you will be able to…”

“How much is the registration fee?” She shut me up quickly, still smiling.

“It’s one hundred naira ma” I said and she burst out laughing. She laughed so much that when she was done, I had tears in my eyes which I tried to hide.

“What of the school fees?”

“How old are they?” I asked, trying as much as possible not to break down in tears. I knew too well that the fees were too meager for her person.

“6 and 4”

“6 will pay 2000 and 4 will pay 1500 naira” I said and she looked shocked.

“Per hour right?”

“No ma. Per term” I said and she burst out laughing again.

“Grace! Funny Grace!” She exclaimed, picked up her handbag and started walking to the door, still laughing. “Children, please follow me” She said still laughing.

I fell into one of our dusty, foamy cushion, the sides of my head pounding.

“What was that? Did she just come here to ridicule me?” I asked as tears rushed into my eyes.

Just then the door opened. I turned to look back and it was Mummy Londoner.

“Won’t you follow me? I am a grandma. You shouldn’t stress me!” She said and shut the door. I wiped my tears and scurried after her.

When I got outside, she signaled for me to enter the Range Rover parked in front of our house. I hesitated.

“I am not a ritualist. Come in” She honked.

“Let’s go Taiwo. I will go with you” My mum said and soon we were on our way to God-knows-where. She wouldn’t tell us where we were going too no matter how hard we tried. She kept humming ‘Jerusalem’ song till reached an estate.

She drove in and told me to close my eyes. I frowned slightly but obeyed, my heart beating heavily.

She drove on for like five more minutes, my eyes still shut. I couldn’t even think about it. I didn’t know what it was but I shut my eyes.

“Oh my God! What is this?” My mum screamed as soon as the car was brought to a halt. My heartbeat tripled.

“Can I open my eyes ma?” I asked anxiously.

“Not yet!” She said. “Ma, you and the children can go inside there while I speak to Grace?” She asked

“Sure, madam!” My mum answered. Soon, the doors opened and closed. Mummy Londoner drove forward and stopped.

“Open your eyes” She said and I did. We were on an open field. I looked around and didn’t find anything special.

“Grace, I have been having sleepless nights over your case”

“Mine? You know me from somewhere ma?”

“I do not!” She said and held my hands. “Grace, I will tell you a story, please listen attentively”

“Okay ma” I replied pensively.

“Last year, the Lord instructed me to purchase four units of houses in this estate and renovate them for a very large school. He gave me the exact plan of what He wanted and told me to start. I hesitated because education was just not my thing! I am a farmer and a business woman. But when the Lord says go, one must go indeed!”

“Okay?” I asked anxiously, my heart still racing fast.

“The building project finished and the Lord said I should buy two school buses. I obeyed. I should buy a fine jeep. I obeyed. I should build two small flats behind the school, I obeyed. I should go to the authorities to register the name of the school. I obeyed. I should start running the adverts on the radio and TV. I obeyed. I didn’t know what I was doing or why but I obeyed still!”

“Hmmm” I nodded, wanting the story to be quickly told. She sounded too slow for my liking.

“There was no more instruction afterwards until last month when my son sent his kids home. He said he wanted them to be in Nigeria for a while. I asked the Lord to guide me on the choice of the school they would attend and He said He would”

“Okay?”

“So, one day, I went to Mummy Kola’s hair salon to weave my hair. It was there and then that her children jumped in and started speaking English well. They were doing their sums beautifully. She and her friends were then gisting about one Grace River Academy and how intelligent the teacher is who transformed her dullard children to kings and queens” She said and I chuckled.

Funny woman!

She wouldn’t even pay her children’s school fees o!

“The Lord said I should enroll my children in that same school. Since then, I have plied our street trying to find the school. I couldn’t. Yet, the Lord wouldn’t leave me alone. I asked Mummy Kola for the address and she showed me your house. I was shocked, truth be told. I questioned God but He insisted.”

“Hmmmm” I sighed

“I asked Mummy Kola what the name of the school is and she told me Grace River Academy! I was stunned! That was the same name He gave me for the school I built in the estate”

“You can’t be serious!” I exclaimed, not still knowing exactly what to say or do.

“He then said, go and give Grace everything! That was when everything made sense!” She said still smiling. I shook my head dreamily.

“I still don’t understand ma”

“The buildings, the school buses, the jeep are all yours!” She said and I shook my head with great disbelief.

“How can it be ma?” I laughed shortly.

“The Lord said you would doubt it. Anyways, the ridiculous prices you were calling for school fees and registration fees isn’t just it. I have been instructed to sponsor your twenty students and my own. So this is 50 million naira here for a start. It is small, I know but we will grow.” She said and I started laughing as she handed the check over to me.

“Ma, see, I really do not understand what you are talking about. See, what is really happening here ma?”

“You know God too right? Go ask Him!” She said as she turned and started going back by the way we had come. “See, what was used to complete everything was just 500M. In comparison with what the Lord has done for me and my family, that’s nothing!”

“Ma” I chuckled uneasily. “500M? I don’t get that ma” I stuttered and she burst out laughing.

“You are too dramatic mehn!” She exclaimed as she honked in front of a gate. The gate opened automatically as a gate-man saluted her. She stopped and wound down her window.

“This is your madam. I am just her contractor. Greet her, please” She said and soon, like five uniformed men moved to my side and started saluting. I waved at them uneasily as tears formed in my eyes.

“Those men each earn 150k per month.” She told me as she drove in.

“What! My dad and mum need a job as soon as…” I was saying when she burst out laughing.

“The dad and mum of the proprietress need a job in their daughter’s school? Very hilarious lady!” She said as she pulled the car to a stop and hopped out.

I looked outside of the car and goosebumps filled the whole of me.

“Impossibleeeeee! Impossible! Lord, this is a dream! Lord, this is a dream! I can’t believe this! I can’t!” I burst out crying. I cried till I lost my voice.

I would look up at the gigantic school that had the ‘G.R.A.’ Inscription and weep again!

When I had cried enough and asked God for forgiveness enough, I looked outside and saw my mum rolling on the floor. I was crying so loudly, singing as she did. Mummy Londoner joined them as they started one of Tope Alabi’s song:

Oluwa E dara (Lord, You are so good)
E dara o (You are so good)
E dara (You are so good)
Oluwa E tobi (Lord, You are so good)
E tobi o (You are so good)
E tobi (You are so good)
Ko s’eni ta le fi sa’kawe Yin o (Noone can be compared to You Lord)
E dara (You are so good)
Ko s’eni ta le fi sa’kawe Yin o (Noone can be compared to You Lord)
E tobi (You are so good)
Oluwa (Oh my Lord!)

“I am never late, am I?” The Lord asked as I walked round the school environment. I couldn’t even answer the Lord in words! I shook my head to everything He said!

I was too overwhelmed!

I was too flabbergasted!

“You are graced my dear. You are!” He said again and I nodded sheepishly, my head really light like it had been deflated.

“No matter how long you spend in the valley, when you faithfully serve there and you graciously listen to me, one of two things will happen to you. You will either flourish in that valley or climb up to the mountain and bloom there!”

“Hmmmm…Lord!”

“Your place is with the kings!”

“Lord, I didn’t even know that You were planning all these and I got tired and spoke anyhow to You!”

“You are human! You held tight enough! You did! You trusted me! And when I realized you were losing it, I supplied more grace to you”

“Lord, what have I done to deserve this?”

“Nothing! It’s just grace! That is all! I never shower my blessings on just anyone! I shower on people that I am sure have my heart! People who would use my blessings well! That would affect where they are for me!”

“And that is me?”

“You are beacon of hope in this generation. I want you to start here. This isn’t even the beginning of what you are going to enjoy from me.”

“Whaaaat!”

“Serve on!”

Today, Grace River Academy is 10 years and has produced more than 50,000 graced students in Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, Namibia, Gambia, The USA, United Kingdom. Our graduates are known to be excellent and Godly wherever they find themselves.

We are proposing the start of the Grace-River University in the United Kingdom and over 90% of the capital for the project has been acquired!

When I look back at how God has dealt so wondrously with me, I still pray.

‘Oh Lord, may I never leave the covers of your Grace!”

I would say:

“Oh Lord, may I never be a Grace waster!”

I tell the story everywhere I go that one of the greatest prayers to pray in the Bible is Psalms 23 verse 6:

Surely, Goodness and Mercy shall follow me, all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the House of the Lord forever and ever! Amen!

That verse summarizes how graciously the Lord has and is still dealing with me.

Ah! No wonder King David was just different in his generation! He was so graced to the extent that generations after him enjoyed that grace!

I encourage you today to hold on to the Lord! Don’t give up! Hold on to Him! Stay by Him, Learn by Him, grow by Him, listen to Him, obey Him and He would take you to the highest parts of the earth for Himself alone!

I leave you with the words in Psalms 27 verse 14:

Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord!

Stay where the Lord has planted you for He alone knows if you are groomed enough to be transplanted to a higher place or remain in that place, flourishing gloriously!

Story by Sis Lizzy

Categories
Celebrity speaks Featured Inspiration Motivation News Testimony

Nigerian Music Producer, Wison Joel Shares Life Experiences.

Nigerian well known music producer Wilson Joel has taken to his Instagram to share some of his story or past experiences just to encourage someone who is struggling or someone who has lost hope in life. This is for you, we hope this lift your spirit up where ever you are or whoever you are.Please read and be encouraged.

A post shared by Wilson Joel? (@musicmagnate) on

 Wilson Joel shares,

There was a season of my life where no one gave me nothing. I mean not even water to drink & I thought what is happening to me? Am i cursed? Did my parents do something I’m suffering for? I mean there will be benefit sharing for folks around me but when it gets to me they will say Nahhhh! Forget about him!
It got so bad that December 2003 or so, it was Christmas eve and I remember crying on the field of my then workplace where i have been for 1 year. No money, no food & no hope of where I’ll at least go have a nice time at least eat rice. Lol! I wept as though those tears will translate into money. I also remember walking from home (mafoluku by the airport)  to agidingbi (Ltv 8) & back cos there was no money and I was hoping someone would stop & give me a ride (Spiritual Illusion ) but lo and behold, that was some body gym that needs no personal trainer!
One day my mum looked at me and asked “why are you so slim though, what’s going on with you? Are you really my son cos i can’t even recognize you anymore boy!!!” that’s because i had hustled so much my body couldn’t lie…. I also remember one night “OPC”  security guys wanted to burn me cos I was returning from “LÁGBÁJÁ’S then MOTHERLAN” walking home around 1.20am or so and from nowhere one of them asked that I should be excused because he knows me & trust me i have never seen him in my whole life
LISTEN : I have done plumbing works, car wash, sold cassettes, errand boy for some of the prominent icons/role models/celebrities you know today, I have sold “OKRIKA” (used clothings) and all while I was still doing “MUSIC” I didn’t just fall from the SKY, I followed PRO-CESS painful, molding, discouraging BUT above all IT WAS GOD’S PLAN! I’ve learnt to ABOUND & ABASE
_____
I don’t know what you may be going through my friends but always remember SOMEONE HAD IT ROUGHER THAN YOU, IF I COULD RISE ABOVE ALL MY LIMITATIONS WITH NO HELP FROM CONNECTIONS, UNCLES OR RICH FAMILY MEMBERS (had none anyways) GOD CAN FIX YOU! #DONTGIVEUP #GODISMYSOURCE #PRAY #PRAISE #THISISMYSTORY #MyHallelujahMoment

To know more about him click on Wilson Joel

Connect With Wilson Joel:

Instagram: @musicmagnate
Twitter: @wilsonjoel

Categories
Testimony

The Hallelujah Challenge by Nathaniel Bassey

The Hallelujah Challenge is a 30 day praise/prayer time from 12.00 am to 1.00 am everyday in the month of June.
It is led by Nigerian gospel artiste, Nathaniel Bassey.  The Hallelujah Challenge is open to everyone. All you need to do is tune in to Nathaniel Bassey’s live broadcast on Instagram at midnight. Here is his Instagram handle @nathanielblow

Testimony of the Hallelujah Challenge

In 9 days, the challenge has gathered over 23,000 live worshippers. Starting from 4,119 on Tuesday to 13,500 on Thursday and now 23,800 by Friday.
There have been great testimonies from live worshippers. The challenge has become a movement on social media, not just on Instagram and people from all corners the world are tuned in.

In past few weeks God has revealed himself with the name Olowogbogboro Meaning ” The Broad and Mighty Hand of God” and has been healing, saving and delivering his people through the midnight praise. The online worship experience has participate from different parts of the world, different tribes and tongues and God has been manifesting his power in variable, tangible and undeniable means and way.

Here is a testimony of a depressed person delivered of depression

 Hi pastor Nathaniel God bless you more for what He is using you to do. I joined the Hallelujah challenge on the 6th day. I have been depressed for awhile now and having difficulty with sleeping at night, most night I stay up till 3:00 am and even when I sleep at 3:00 am am awake again by 5:00 am. But after day 6 praise night I slept like a baby and ever since i feel relieved no depressed feeling or heavy heart anymore,I now sleep well (olowogbogboro has healed me from depression and sleeplessness)#

What are you waiting for? Don’t be left out!
Join the #HallelujahChallenge