JESUS IS IN THE HOUSE AND IN THE BATHROOM

On Sunday, we went to a service at the church of one of Pam’s local partners in Port Harcourt. I think it was called Kings Assembly. When I closed my eyes, I thought I was on 1500 Blue Hill Avenue in Mattapan, MA. It felt just like my church at home.It was wonderful. I was amazed really that I could be so far away, way over here in Africa worshipping God so easily with complete strangers. They sang the same songs; and it was was the same type of corporate worship and prayer. The music and the workship leaders were great. It was in a huge tent; and it had three services just like Jubilee in Boston.


(picture not mine; didn't want to take pictures in church but this is what it looked like)

Folks were dressed in their traditional finery (fabulous dresses and head wraps) which I love, but there were also plenty of folks in western suits and jeans. I also thought about the many Africans that come to my church in Boston. They always wear the most gorgeous traditional outfits. It is good to know that they might feel at home when they workship with us as well.


I had really wanted to go to one of the mega churches in Nigeria that you hear about, with thousands of people standing and singing in unison. I think there are some here in Port Harcourt, and they are definitely in Lagos. (found this picture on the internet-can you believe the numbers of folks?)
This 7:30 a.m. service that I visited had about 500 people in attendance. The minister was quite good and easy for me to understand, well-versed in the word and funny.


He said something that I wrote down in my blackberry because I want to remember it, “YOUR SITUATION WILL GIVE WAY TO YOUR REVELATION.” I really thought about the idea of having a revealed word or vision for your life and yet certain situations cause you to veer off in the wrong direction or tend to obfuscate your vision, or retard your progress. Then he also said “…that our biggest battle, is the battle of faith, the battle to keep our faith.” So then I understood that when I repeat to myself “my situation will give way to my revelation,” I must say it while fighting the good fight of faith. Faith is what allows (what is necessary for) the revelation to overcome the situation. When I say “the situation will give way to the revelation,” I am speaking these words “in faith.” It's not magic, but it is powerful when you find the faith that allows your vision to prevail.

I HOPE SOMEONE OUT THERE KNOWS WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT.

ANYWAY…So Jesus is big here in Nigeria! Here in the South, there has been an explosion of Christianity- Anglican, Methodist, Baptist, Charismatic, you name it.
There are small churches and big churches. Churches in the cities and churches in the countryside.

[There are many different ethnic groups here, but the biggest groups are the Hausas, Yorubas and Igbos; the Hausas are Muslims and live in the North. The Yorubas and Igbos are mostly Christian, living in southern and middle part of the country. Although in Lagos, Muslims also seemed well represented. And I have heard that some folks mix in traditional ethnic religious practices handed down by their ancestors with their Muslim and Christian faiths.]

But I knew Jesus was really big in Nigeria when I got to the Abuja airport and visited the toilet. There was Jesus graffiti – evangelical graffiti-- on the door of the stall!!! I guess folks feel like the toilet is the perfect place to get people's attention. You are just sitting there anyway, usually having some random thought, maybe reading a scripture, an admonition or testimony could make the difference. But then again, I am not sure that Jesus would approve of defacing public property. WWJD? What do you think?

Praising the Lord and Keeping the Faith In Nigeria,
V.