First Posted: 2/24/2015
I have just returned from another missionary journey to Nigeria, and this trip was like none other. In spite of all of the obstacles, God was glorified. Many came back to the Lord on this trip. The message the Lord sent me with was one of correction and rebuke, and for good reason.
Truly, there is a war raging in Nigeria. I could not believe some of the images on television of just what Boko Haram is doing to the people in Nigeria. They are actually cutting the heads off of babies and women. They are strapping explosives on children and women to blow up churches and marketplaces. They do not have the guts to do their own dirty work.
I wish I could express the feeling of standing in a pulpit preaching the word and watching the front door at the same time not knowing if it will be my last message. I am not afraid for myself, but I am in a protective mode for a group of people who are so open to violence and abuse.
I was leaving a meeting in Uyo at the University of Uyo when a man jumped in the truck I was in stating that he was security. You already know what I was doing — praying. Praise God for the quick thinking of my driver who quickly stated that the man had to get out of the truck. The man still insisted that he was my security. Again, my driver demanded he get out and that he did not know him. Finally, the man got out. He was very angry, but he did get out of the truck. We locked the doors and quickly drove back to the hotel.
I knew I was in grave danger, but I also knew that my God was in control of the situation.
I received a notice from the United Nations on my cell phone, stating they were expecting bomb blasts in several cities including the one I was in — Abuja, Nigeria. That did not make me happy, but these are the times that your discernment kicks in and you follow the peace of God.
When you do not have the peace, you stay put. If you have the peace, you move forward and do the meetings. This is what enables you to see souls come into the kingdom in spite of the dangers around you. Bottom line is that the gospel must be preached no matter what the situation is to the glory of the Lord. We cannot allow the enemy to stop the preaching of the gospel. We cannot allow the enemy to prevent souls from coming into the kingdom of God.
Although there were bomb threats, and bombs going off in several cities close by, the meetings had to go forth. I felt the prayers of the saints. It is wonderful when you can feel the presence of the Lord in the midst of turmoil, trouble and danger. That is all I need to know, that the Lord is with me. I will go wherever, whenever.
I was so blessed by one pastor. I was in my hotel room preparing to leave for the airport from Uyo to go back to Abuja, Nigeria. The woman who purchased my ticket got a call from her pastor. She said she was crying because she wanted me to pray for her. Well, I could not wait any longer, so she agreed to meet me at the airport.
I guess you are wondering why such an urgency. Well, she paid me one of the greatest compliments I could ever receive. She said she saw the spirit of God upon me, so she had to have me pray for her.
Well, she made it to the airport in time. I began to pray for her and the glory of the Lord fell in that airport, and it was glorious. I still made my flight back to Abuja for a leadership meeting before returning to the U.S.
On the last meeting before my return flight, when I arrived, the host told me to be careful what I preached because there were Muslims in the meeting, I told her they needed to hear the word, too. If it was not satisfactory, I would not preach. Well, let me tell you, one of those Muslims got saved that day. Praise God for that.
Now it is off to the airport for my fight to Paris, then back to the U.S. What an awesome trip. I learned so much on this journey, and my faith had to go to another level.
