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“Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Juli, happy birthday to you.”
Juli, my pastor friend blew the candles on her cake on July 4, 2007. Juli was a sweet darling. Ever nice, ever considerate, very generous in words and demeanor. She turned forty years today and we, her inner circle friends refused to let her spend the day resting at home. We were having lunch at mama Jade’s. Juli had been a pastor for the past ten years. Never engaged, never married, never pregnant, never given birth to children, yet ever willing to bless, nurture and edify. She was a true Eunuch. As she cut the cake I marveled at her strength. Few people fascinate me. Juli was one of them.
Funmikẹ opened the apple cider champagne and poured for everyone. After the immediate bliss, she stood up to give a toast. “To Juli at forty. The renowned Pastor of In Christ Church. The ever sparkling minister of the most high God. The anointed woman of God. The minister of the hour. The American Nigerian. The Nigerian American. The one whose birthday coincides with our nation’s Independence Day. There were fireworks when she was born. Every time she adds a year, there will be fireworks. When she holds the microphone to minister God’s word, there are always fireworks. Talk about a spectacular person. Join me to give praise to God for the life of His faithful daughter and servant, Juli Folarin.”
We all shouted after Funmikẹ’s toast. The whole restaurant was agog with joyful noise. We were practically the only ones in the restaurant. They were only opened till three o clock because of the Independence Day celebrations. Juli had blushed so much her eyes were crimson. Mama Jade had been nice to us. She had planned to close the restaurant today because of the celebrations but when I told her of Juli’s fortieth, she agreed to opening half-day. Food had been delicious as usual, and the cake was Juli’s favorite; carrot cake. It was time for Juli to respond.
Juli; Beloved, what can I say? You guys just showed out. Thank you. Thank you so much. As they say, life begins at forty. Well, we’ll see. Thank you. I am truly overjoyed. Thanks for sharing your afternoon with me. Thanks for celebrating my life. It’s a blessing to have good friends. As you all know, I’ve only lived here for eleven years. Even though I was born here, I spent most of my life in
Nigeria
.
America
has been good to me. God is truly alive here. God sent me here and I am always grateful to Him. I do have an announcement to make. God has need of me somewhere else. I am returning to
Nigeria
. I shall be in a little southwest village. If you recall, I started asking questions about Yorubas last year. I even got involved with the Yoruba Christian Women. Derbrah can testify to that. Anyway, it’s because I have been burdened lately. I had to take time out to confirm that this was God and not just me trying to do something good. Well, waiting on the Lord gave me clarity and direction. I have a glimpse of what He wants to do through me but I truly am yet to fully understand. He is leading me step by step. So my beloved friends, this is probably the last birthday I will celebrate in
America
. I don’t know when our Lord will have me live here again.
Everyone quieted. These were sobering news. Juli had mentioned returning to
Nigeria
but I though it was still in the future. I was going to miss her.
Korede: When are you leaving?
Juli: Mid September
Jibafẹ: Wow. So this is like a send-off. We can’t organize anything between now and then. And you are sure this is the Lord? Wow, o ga o.
Juli: Yes, it is the Lord. I am sure. Many times, we may not understand why He chose us, but by faith we understand.
Funmikẹ: You remind me of the book of Hebrews. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God.
“And the things which we see are not made of the things which do appear.” I said, finishing the verse. (Hebrews 11:3). I reached into my purse and opened my bible to Hebrews 11:8 and read “By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.”
Fisọla who had been silent all the while now spoke up. “Now I understand why you’ve been acting so strange lately. I thought it was mid-life crisis, but it’s deeper. Well, unlike Abraham, you know where you’re going. We will miss you but we will support you.”
“What do you need?” I asked.
Juli: Your prayers. Your contacts in Yoruba land. Your advice and your money.
Funmikẹ: You definitely need that last one. The cost of living in
Nigeria
is high.
Fisọla: So is the level of deception. Nigerians are the most religious people on the earth, Yorubas especially. God is used to mask everything.
Jibafẹ: I still can’t believe I have just about two months to fellowship with you. Girl, this is some heavy news to spring on me on Independence Day. I don’t think I’m going to enjoy the fireworks tonight.
Juli: I’m sorry dearie. I don’t make the rules. Our Father does. He leads and I follow. He says it’s time and I’m secure in His hands.
Korede: Well. God knows what He’s doing. He brought you here and He’s with you as you go. We will pray for you. We will pray with you and we will bless you. Even if we do not see or hear from you again, we know you are in Christ and we shall all fellowship in heaven. We rejoice for the short time we had together. Mo fi Kristi sin ẹ lo (I send you forth with Christ).
Jibafẹ burst into tears. Fisọla began to hum one of the Independence Day songs. Funmikẹ excused herself to the restroom and I smiled a dry smile. Juli sat down speechless. I caught the clock through the corner of my eye. We still had about an hour. I asked Juli for more details on how we could pray. She wrote her prayer points down. Funmike returned and I requested that we all spend the remaining hour in intercession. That was how a birthday party turned into a prayer meeting. When Christians get together, there’s no telling what could happen. We had us some church. What began as intercession became a revival. The Holy Spirit glorified Jesus Christ. We were all re-filled with the power of God. The gifts of the Spirit manifested and our sorrowful emotions were replaced with joy. We raised some funds for her and pledged our support.
Korede: Are you going to miss America?
Juli: My home for the past eleven years. Yes, I will miss
America
. I may be a Nigerian American but I am still American.
Funmikẹ: I think it’s more appropriate to call you an American Nigerian. You’re going back now.
Jibafẹ: Well make sure you visit at least once every three years. I know airline costs are up. But we’ll trust God for funds.
Juli: You should all come to visit too. My church will be blessed by your ministries.
Fisọla: I am sure impressed that you are welcomed in a village as a female pastor.
Nigeria
has really improved spiritually. When I was still back home, women were not allowed to teach Sunday school, let alone stand on the pulpit.
“
Nigeria
is really like the
USA
. Many minds are enlightened.” I stated. “I have always identified female ministers ever since I joined a Pentecostal church in 1987. One female pastor mentored me and was instrumental to my discovering my spiritual inclinations. Generally the Nigerian church is no longer discriminatory.”
Funmikẹ: Not where I come from. I was still home last year and women were still treated as second class citizens. What was that new law that passed, a woman can’t get a Nigerian passport without her husband’s signature or something?
Korede: Please, today is not a day to discuss
Nigeria
and her woes. It is a day to celebrate the birthday of
America
and Juli’s birthday. Don’t get me started on Nigerian women or men, or Nigerian laws or lack of.
Juli: What should I watch out for?
“Liars.” I replied. “Be wary of liars, false brethren, wolves in sheep’s clothing. Those who say they love Christ but deny His existence in their lives. They are all over Yoruba land.”
Jibafẹ: Don’t loan anybody money. You won’t get it back. Don’t let everyone come into your house. Many of them are spies. Don’t accept every invitation you’re given. Be watchful.
Funmikẹ: The men will befriend you just because of what they can get from you. The women will befriend you just because of what they can say about you. Choose your friends with God’s leading.
Fisọla: Do the work of an evangelist. Yorubas, like other ethnic groups believe in polychrists. I think it is 401 messengers of God.
Juli: Yes. I studied all that. Olodumare, divination and the belief system.
Fisọla: Specifically watch out for this group that want to make Jesus Christ the 402nd messenger of Olodumare. These confused Christians as I call them, in their attempt to retain their Yoruba heritage (whatever that means), have perverted the gospel of Christ and added divination to Christianity.
Funmikẹ: I know what you mean. I call them the Christianized Yoruba worshippers. They’re really good for nothing rascals. They want to live a reckless life and go to heaven when they die. I say they are not Christians at all. Just false brethren as Derbrah said. They are like the ones that made papa Samuel Ajayi Crowther die very sad.
“Some of them were taught deception and deceit.” I started. “I remember the orthodox church where I was first baptized. I was taught that Jesus was the only way to God but many of the members still practiced divination. I remember seeing many of the ‘goodwill’ charms some brought to church. I believe it was because they did not believe in or receive instruction on the power of the Holy Spirit. God was presented as a God uninterested in judging sin until the judgment day. Christians felt powerless to enforce the authority in the name and blood of Jesus Christ. So Satan convinced them to dabble into other forms of protection.”
Korede: I spent most of my life in a religious cult. We prayed to God and an angel. During the bible studies, the elders taught that our good works will get us to heaven. Jesus was just one of the ways to God, He wasn’t the only way. God saw my desire to serve Him faithfully and He brought me out. Deception is strong but truth is stronger. God will keep you.
“Yes He will.” I reiterated. “You know the voice of your Father. You will not be distracted by Satan transforming himself into an angel of light. And even if you are, return to your Father in repentance and not only will He forgive and restore you, he will work it around for your good.”
Juli: Thank you my sisters. Thank you for your words of wisdom.
Jibafẹ: When did you first think of relocating?
Juli: Two years ago. I went for a meeting and I was surprised that most of my counseling sessions were with people with sexual sins. I thought such things did not occur in
Nigeria
. People at the conference wanted information on how to deal with sexual related sins. Things like masturbation, oral sex, anal sex, adultery, bisexuality, homosexuality, pornographic addiction, sexual fantasies, and fornication addiction. All through the flight back to
California
I was burdened. Then I began to pray and here I am.
Funmikẹ: Why did you think such things did not occur in
Nigeria
? Those are human sins. Nigerians are human aren’t they?
Jibafẹ: I know what she means. We were raised to consider such as western behavior.
Fisọla: Western kọ, western ni. My friends taught me how to masturbate at age eleven
Korede: My brothers used to have orgies anytime my parents went out of town. That was way back in 1975. One of them is transgendered. I just found out that my dad, who already has three wives, is bisexual. Wherever humans are, there will be sexual perversion.
Juli: That is an area God has kept me. I do not even recall body touching when I was young. It is possible to live a life of sexual purity. In Christ we can do all things (Phil 4:13).
“Yes we can do all things through Christ Who strengthens us.” I repeated. “Juli, few people fascinate me. You are one of them. We celebrate your life today. Happy birthday Juli, happy birthday
America
.”
Derbrah writes courtesy of Agape for All Ministries. Author retains copyright.
Jadesọla’s restaurant is a drama ministry of the Yoruba Christian Women (YCW), an international faith-based non-governmental, not-for-profit organization. Similarity of names and stories are coincidental. Feel free to copy for non-commercial use. Commercial use requires permission. For more information on YCW write Jesutoyin Ajikẹ-King (toyinking@yahoo.com).
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Posted by Robot| 08.07.2007 17:46