25 Dec 2008 |
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Adekọlajọ: Christmas is the best time of the year. “I don’t think so. It’s just okay, definitely not best.” Adekọlajọ: You mean you don’t like the lights, the cheers, the thrills, the frills, the warmness, the presents and all that? “All of that is good but they don’t remove the effect of winter. I’m just not a winter person.” Adekọlajọ: Well, we can’t do anything about the cold, we go through it. “I always look forward to Spring, when I can do without the heater, the coat and the icy wind. One day of celebration does not make up for weeks of cold.” Adekọlajọ: Summer is my worst time of the year. The heat is unbearable for me. “Just carry water around, it’s not that bad. I’d rather have summer than winter.” Adekọlajọ: You are a true Yoruba woman, devoted to tropical weather. “Well, what can I say? I didn’t decide where I was born and raised.” It was The program was scheduled to begin shortly. The waitress announced that the conference room was ready and Adekọlajọ and I got up from our seats. On entering the conference room, we were delighted. The decorations were breathtaking! The music playing in the background was sensational. Adekọlajọ: I must celebrate my birthday here next year. This is good. “I agree, it’s lovely.” Adekọlajọ set Bodunrin’s photograph on the table and asked; “I’ve been meditating about what you said. There is very little information about the nature of spirits. Do you think that’s one of the reasons why Christians are presumptuous?” “Yes.” Adekọlajọ: I should probably enroll in a Hebrew and Greek class. Maybe if I understand the root words, I can crack the code. “That may help.” The door opened and Yosef came in. Adekọlajọ: The minstrel, welcome. Greetings were exchanged and Yosef plugged the keyboard he came with in the electric socket. Yosef: I hope we start on time. I need to be at another meeting in the next three hours. Adekọlajọ: I wonder how you cope… you do too much. Yosef: God’s grace. He helps me cope. My phone rang and I excused myself. It was Juli, she was in town on a furlough, so I invited her over. Déjà vu happened to me, I remembered Juli’s fortieth birthday. It was truly interesting how time flew. The meeting we held was over a year old. Adonai had blessed Juli’s ministry at home. Within a year, Juli had opened two churches in southwest Nigeria. She had a total of 5,064 members in the two churches and the four services they held. When God sends, He fends! Mummy Juli is the popular name her members call her. Yet Juli was not just an eunuch, she had chosen never to bear children. However, she was a mother in Israel for her adopted children were uncountable. Yosef brought me out of my dream-world… Yosef: Minister Derbrah, minister Derbrah… “Sorry, I was in wonderland, how may I help you?” Yosef: I just wondered if you wanted the podium over there or here, next to the flowers. “I don’t really care.” Yosef: I prefer next to the flowers. Adekọlajọ: I prefer it over here. “So I have to break the tie?” Both responded, “Yes.” The door opened and two ladies walked in. They were the dancers. I asked them to make the decision. They chose a different spot altogether. I looked at the program again. The ladies names were Adekunbi and Adefunbi. I told them their names were cute. “I’ve been thinking of an Ade (crown) club for a while now, I might just start one.” Adekọlajọ: That’s a nice idea, but what shall we do? Adekunbi: Sing and dance? Adefunbi: Wear different crowns? We all laughed. Adekọlajọ: Have you ever wondered how any times the word crown is used in the bible? “How many times?” Adekọlajọ: I don’t know, but I’d sure like to find out. Adekunbi: Ask Bọdunrin, she knows. Adefunbi: Her middle name is Ademipe, her last name is Adetile. She did a bible study on crown. Adekọlajọ: Thanks, I didn’t know that. The door opened and guests began to arrive. The celebrant came in about ten minutes later and the program began. After the opening prayer led by Pastor Marvin, Bọdunrin’s pastor, Yosef led the praise worship. The first chorus was a song I had not sung in a while; When I remember His promises I shout halleluya When I remember His promises I shout halleluya Nigba ti mo ranti ileri Rẹ, mo ke halleluya Nigba ti mo ranti ileri Rẹ, mo ke halleluya Praise worship was glorious. Adekọlajọ, the emcee, was skillful, putting everyone at ease and graciously carrying us along. When the ladies danced, I was entertained. The blend of Yoruba freestyle and western pop glides those ladies made to a contemporary Yoruba-English music of a popular hymn was simply wonderful! I was determined to introduce them to the Jesu Jays. I could just picture what they create together. The program continued and the time came for me to exhort Bọdunrin. I started with the meaning of her name, Bọdunrin – One who walks with (born) the joyful times, and Ademipe, - my crown is esteemed (complete, whole). We delved into the word of God and His light shone. After my exhortation, we prayed for Bọdunrin, proclaiming God’s promises on her. Then I gave an altar call reminding everyone who Yeshua (Jesus) was and is, and the purpose of His birth. Three people got saved. I handed them over to Pastor Marvin who was overjoyed to receive them. One of the waitresses came up to me declaring that I had a visitor. I knew who it was, Juli. I requested that she come to the conference room. When Juli arrived I was pleasantly surprised. For someone who fasts, prays and exercises a lot, she looked very fat. As if she read my mind she stated; “No, I have not changed, I have just been spoilt, that’s all. No one allows me to do anything but study the word. I’m looking forward to losing some weight this week!” I understood what she meant. Africans, particularly Yorubas, believe in honoring the ministers of God. I could picture how many house and office helps Juli had, and free of charge too. So Juli was here to straighten out some issues at the church. Tolu, her successor had gotten a divorce and a few members of the church board felt that she should step down from the pastoral position! Juli: We’ve been sending emails back and forth. Tolu was right in getting a divorce. That ex of hers is into idol worship. She’s prayed, fasted and stood in faith for over 10 years. If it wasn’t for their son, she would have left him sooner. “You know how conservative most people are with divorce. You are blessed you’re an eunuch. I told Tolu to trust Adonai to vindicate her. “ Juli: Adonai has vindicated her and He will proclaim that in church tomorrow through my lips. It’s one particular man on the board that’s fueling this ungodly fire and I have handed him over to the Lord. “I think I know him, Tolu mentioned him. I have compassion for the man, the board is the only thing stable in his life, every other thing is going haywire. No wonder he is over protective.” Juli: His over-protectiveness is unbelief! He might just become like Uzzah if he doesn’t back down. I mean, Adonai chose Tolu, she did not choose herself. Considering all she’s been through, he should stand by her not stab her in the back! “Try the cake too.” I told Juli, who was enjoying the food. Juli: You want me to get fat? No, this is rich enough. “You will speak to him softly won’t you?” Juli: God will have work on my emotions tonight because I have more than three witnesses on that elder so I’m spiritually covered if I rebuke him. I let Juli finish her meal and asked for her hands. We held hands and prayed. I asked Abba** to give her wisdom and guidance as she influences the course of her old church. She opened her bag afterwards and gave me a parcel. When I opened it, it was a purple crown decorated with jewels. I was surprised. Juli: Our drama troop made a crown for one of our drama skits; I liked it so I had some made for my friends. I was really amused. “Thanks, it’s pretty.” Juli: Put it on display or something, we are all kings and every king must have a crown. Adekolajọ was rounding up the celebration. Pastor Marvin gave the closing prayer. Bọdunrin came over to thank me and I realized that she was wearing purple so I asked Juli permission to give the crown to her. The crown looked lovely on Bọdunrin. Adekolajọ came over to Bọdunrin and declared; “Your name is truly Ademipe, I didn’t know you had a crown, well, I salute your royal highness.” We all laughed. I introduced Juli to Adekolajọ and she screamed. “It is such a pleasure to meet you! You are one of my heros.” “She’s hoping to become a missionary and an eunuch.” I explained to Juli. “I told her about you.” I had to use the bathroom so I excused myself. On return Juli had Adekọlajọ and Bọdunrin giggling. Bọdunrin: You make singleness sound so fun. I promise to attend your church in Nigeria. Who knows, maybe I might even become an eunuch. Adekọlajọ: That is the best way to avoid sexual stress. Juli: Like the bible says, everyone cannot receive it. I always say, I’m not against marriage, I’m just for singleness. Marriage does has its place and benefits. “Juli dear, I have to leave in fifteen minutes.” I announced. Bọdunrin hugged me and thanked me again for gracing her party. She promised to send me a copy of the DVD. Juli’s phone rang and she excused herself. Adekọlajọ expressed her joy at meeting Juli in person and thanked me again for inviting her over. She told me she was planning to spend her summer vacation helping out at Juli’s church next year. Juli returned and announced that she would have to leave as well. I said my goodbyes and together we left the conference room. Juli: That was Tolu on the phone, the elder has resigned. The fire behind the smoke is gone. I can as well return home now. “But you won’t right? Let’s enjoy your presence for Christmas.” Juli: Okay, we’ll plan something. So how’s mama Jade? “Breastfeeding, she’s had her twins.” As we left, the carol playing in the background was O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord… I hummed along in grateful worship, glorifying Adonai Who sent His only begotten Son to be the propitiation for our sins and the sins of the whole world. Yes, we will always choose to adore Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus the Messiah)! Merry Christmas everyone and a lovely 2009 – God loves you and He wants you to enjoy His love. * Delight in Hebrew (this is usually celebrated after the Shabbat service) ** Father in Hebrew 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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