03 Jan 2008 |
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“You are blessed.” I responded. “I had to read many books, listen to countless tapes CDs and DVDs, compare scripture with scripture, walk, stumble, get up, fall, get up, run, stumble, walk, fall, and get up so many times before I arrived home.” Ọlaọmọ: All of us did. Whoever will live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. As they say, there is no painless cross. Wọnu: It sounds like I have a smooth sail since I gave my life to Christ, and relatively, I have but my regret is I have not spent as many years in Christ compared to my years out of Christ. “Regret is camouflaged unbelief. Rather comfort yourself. I regularly comfort myself with the return of Christ our King and Lord.” I stated. “It brightens my perspective on my purpose on earth and strengthens my resolve to live godly.” Ọlaọmọ: Meditating on the return of the King. That is edifying. Wọnu: Do you know those are the names of her sons? Ọlaọmọ: Really, King? Wọnu: Christ our King and Christ our Lord. Ọlaọmọ looked at me and I confirmed. “Yes, my boys are Kristilọbami (Christ is my King) and Kristiloluwami (Christ is my Lord). Ọlaọmọ: I love that. Perhaps that’s where Wọnu got Kristiseun from. Wọnu: No it wasn’t. I’ve always liked the name Seun. “The song in the background is so edifying.” I stated. Over the stereo we could hear the inspiring words; “Great is thy faithfulness, great is thy faithfulness, morning by morning, new mercies I see. All I have needed thy hands have provided, great is thy faithfulness Lord unto me.” Wọnu: Prophet Jeremiah wrote those words. That’s my model prophet. When I was called into the ministry, God used his book to confirm my calling. If there are two books in my bible that are over marked, it is Jeremiah and Lamentations. Ọlaọmọ: Isn’t he the one called the weeping prophet? Wọnu: Yes he is. He has a tender heart. He should be called the pastor prophet. If I were to give Ọlaade a Hebrew name, it would be Jeremiah. Ọlaọmọ: So he is Timotheous, Jeremiah, all that is left is an English name then you will have all the four languages covered. We all laughed. Wọnu: I think I’ll have ice cream too. Ọlaọmọ: You’ve always been a sweet tooth. Wọnu: If I put on weight, I’ll just blame it on the baby. We all laughed. Ọlaọmọ: Three months shall soon be here, then I’ll pick up my exercise whip. “Hi Ọla,” proclaimed a tall slim lady to my left. Ọlaọmọ: Lily, you’re here. Welcome, I’m glad you made it. Introductions were made and I shook hands with Patrick’s sister. Wọnu: Hi Lily. Would you like something to drink? Lily declined. Ọlaọmọ: Or eat? Lily declined again. “You should try the appetizers.” I invited, pointing to the chin-chin and dodo Ikire on the table. Lily: No thank you. Anything fried makes me sick. I’ll just have a glass of water. Ọlaọmọ: I need to use the restroom real quick. Patrick is on his way. Do excuse me. As she got up, I received Ọlaade from Wọnu. I noticed that Lily blinked as I held the baby close. Without a second thought, I asked her if she would like to carry Ọlaade. She paused for a second and agreed. She stretched forth her hands to receive him and Ọlaade rested in her arms. Then something remarkable happened. Ọlaade turned towards her chest and latched on to her breast, clothes and all. Lily closed her eyes and I saw tears streaming down her face. Wọnu: Oh Lily, I’m sorry. I wasn’t expecting him to latch on to you. I guess he must be hungry again. Please let me take him. Lily: Oh don’t be sorry. It took a baby to let me know I was making a great mistake. Lily dried her eyes and said “Please tell Ricky, I stopped by. I need to return home and take care of some business. Also, let him know that I’ve changed my mind. I won’t be having an abortion anymore. Say me well to Ọla. I reached out and gave her a beary hug. “The favor of the Lord will compass you about as a shield. Your needs will be supplied according to God’s riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” “Thank you.” Lily muttered and left. When Ọlaọmọ returned and we told her what had just transpired, she was elated. She picked Ọlaade up and gave him a squeeze. Ọlaọmọ: What hours of counseling could not change, you did with your anointed lips. “The power of a baby is transforming.” I stated. “Wọnu, your son is a great blessing.” Wọnu: Thank you. I was really shocked when he latched on to her. She must be releasing some hormones or something. “That’s normal though.” I responded. “When I was pregnant, I was attracted to anything or anyone related to babies. Babies too were attracted to me. I was fascinated by it.” Ọlaọmọ: God is good. I’m just too delighted she’s changed her mind. Where are Patrick and Wole? They should have been here by now. She reached into her purse for phone and called. JayoJesu’s voice streamed over the loud speakers; “Ladies and gentlemen. We have the pleasure of Divine Appointment, the anointed gospel-recording artists in our midst. They have agreed to bless for a few minutes. Please enjoy and support their ministry. Thank you.” Wọnu: Derbrah, do you know them? “No.” I replied. “This is my first time hearing the name.” Ọlaọmọ: I have heard of them. It’s a brother-sister group. I think they’re twins or something. “You know that’s what I wanted to have.” Wọnu: Twins, you, as small as you are, were you crazy? “I was deluded.” I replied. “I thought I could do anything. Thank God for delivering me from my childish dreams.” Two people dressed in Adirẹ-Agbada received the microphones JolaJesu handed to them. The lady spoke first, introducing their ministry. She went on to say how they had been named after the month of December in Yoruba. Ọlaọmọ was right. They were brother and sister, twins. They were born December the first and they were Yoruba-Americans. I thought that was sweet. December month was Ọpẹ in Yoruba which meant thanks or gratitude. The lady’s name was Ọpẹyẹmi and the gentleman’s name was ỌpọỌpẹ. Ọpẹyẹmi explained that their songs would center on giving thanks to God. ỌpọỌpẹ collected the microphine and testified of how God had delivered him from what would have been a ghastly car accident early this year. He had been on the freeway at 80 miles per hour when his front tire, the driver side, exploded. Thank God, he did not run into anyone, his car had not somersaulted and no one had run into him. We all gave God praise for His mercies. I remembered how faithful God had been to my family members and me and how faithful He will ever be. His love and tender mercies were numerous. They proceeded to sing songs I had not heard for a long while. Jiji mo ji o Baba (Just as I woke up Father) Mo wa f’ọpẹ fun Ọ (I came to give You thanks) Mo sun layọ (I slept peacefully) Mo ji layọ, (I woke up peacefully) Mo wa yin Ọ logo (I came to give you glory) Ọpẹ loye Ọ (You deserve praise) Baba olore (Good Father) Iyin ogo yẹ Ọ (You deserve thanks and glory) Olorun wa (Our God) Hosanna yẹ Ọ (You deserve hosanna) Ose o Baba (Thank You Father) Ki lo muwa fun Jesu (What did you bring for Jesus?) Ọpẹ nla ni mo muwa (I brought large praise) Kilo muwa fun Jesu (What did you bring for Jesus?) Ọpẹ nla ni mo muwa (I brought large praise) Ki lo muwa f’Oluwa (What did you bring for the Lord?) Ọpẹ nla ni mo mu wa o (I brought large praise o) Kilomuwa f’Oluwa (What did you bring for the Lord?) Ọpẹ nla ni mo mu wa o (I brought large praise o) Abi’wọ ko mọpẹ da? (Or don’t you know how to be thankful?) Rara rara emi kọ o (No, no, not me) Abi’wọ ko mọpẹ da? (Or don’t you know how to be thankful?) Rara rara emi kọ o (No, no, not me) Kilo muwa f’Ọlọrun (What did you bring for God?) Ọpẹ nla ni mo mu wa o (I brought large praise o) Kilo muwa f’Ọlọrun (What did you bring for God?) Ọpẹ nla ni mo muwa o (I brought large praise o) Ọpẹ nla ni mo mu wa (I brought large praise) Ọpẹ nla ni mo muwa o (I brought large praise o) Ọpẹ nla ni mo mu wa (I brought large praise) Ọpẹ nla ni mo muwa o (I brought large praise o) Baba, Baba, Baba, Baba (Father, Father, Father, Father) Ẹşe o Baba (Thank You o Father) Eşe o Baba (Thank You o Father) Awa dupe Baba (We are grateful Father) Şe ni ma dupe (I will give thanks) Şe ni ma yin Ọ o (I will give praise to You o) Ai ni ye lore Jesu (Uncountable are Your goodness) Şe ni ma dupe o Baba (I will be grateful o Father) Wo mi na, bi mo tiun fẹgbẹ yin Baba (Look at me as I praise our Father in a dance) Wo mi o bi mo tiun fẹgbẹ yin Jesu (Look at me as I praise Jesus in a dance) Orukọ Jesu lẹnu mi o dun joyin lọ (The name of Jesus in my mouth is sweeter than honey) Odun o, odun joyin lọ (It is sweet, sweeter than honey) Odun o odun joyin lọ (It is sweet, sweeter than honey) Odun o, odun joyin lọ (It is sweet, sweeter than honey) Odun o odun joyin lọ (It is sweet, sweeter than honey) Wo mi na, bi mo tiun fẹgbẹ yin Baba (Look at me as I praise our Father in a dance) Wo mi o bi mo tiun fẹgbẹ yin Jesu (Look at me as I praise our Father in a dance) Orukọ Jesu lẹnu mi o dun joyin lọ (The name of Jesus in my mouth is sweeter than honey) At this point, many people (including me) got up and began to praise God in a dance. These praise songs were inspiring, energizing, invigorating, exhilarating, edifying and comforting. It is true, what they say, a thankful heart is a happy heart, a grateful heart is a healthy heart, a merry heart doeth good like medicine. Thank you Lord for Your love, for Your goodness, for Your loving kindness, for Your mercies, for Your protection, for Your provision, for Your support, for Your friendship, and for Your parenting. Some of the people went to the minstrels and put dollar bills on their foreheads, on their shoulders and on their backs. (We call this spraying with money), it was very popular in
The atmosphere in the restaurant became warm and loving as praise to God filled the room. I was glad I was there at that moment. Ọlaade was enjoying the moment as well. Wọnu was praying softly in the spirit and Ọlaọmọ worshipped God silently. 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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