The Prison Ministry: “For as we have many members in one body and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one member’s one of another. So we, being many, are one body in Christ and every one member one of another. Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching: or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness.” Romans 12:4-8. “My whole life, passion, commitment and my everything is emptied in this ministry. This is my call. This is my ministry. This is my passion; it is everything I live for. The purpose for which God created me and allowed me to be alive today! The Prison Ministry is one ministry that is run by you and God! You spend everything and expecting nothing (I’m talking with respect to remunerations, partnership and so on). Not many people look at this area of ministry, because it doesn’t look that ‘lucrative’ like other areas of ministry. Yet tend to be alone and lonely doing this for God. Though over the past 24 years, my reward has been the transformed lives of these prisoners. However, I bless God for the day the Lord brought me into contact with another prison outreach worker. We compared notes, rubbed minds and encouraged one another. From that time, it was no longer a lonely road. Am talking about Dr. (Mrs.) Ingor Favour Ogan. With the passage of time, I became employed as spiritual adviser in Aladumo Education School. I began earning regular pay and my perspective changed. Her impact in my life was responsible for my attitude to domestic affairs. I was planted into her family and I pick up new sisters. I learned many things from a woman whom I may call a tireless and dependable personality. As my god-mother, she never doubted God’s word to her that I would carry my own children. During my pregnancy with Isaac, she was steadfast and unmovable for safe delivery. I owe her a great deal for who I have become today.”
My Marriage: “Two are better than one: because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevails against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-12. I have missed it in many things in life except for the mercy of God. If you hear my story from those who knew me in the past, one would think then that nothing good can come out of me, most especially in the area of my marriage. I thank God for how far he has brought me, but then it was not looking like I could ever be happily married! I have had it very rough and very bad, being a young girl, naïve and innocent, the enemy almost messes up my life. But Mercy said no! I am happily married today to a very loving and caring husband, who loves me for who I am. A very matured and an understanding husband, who will go to any length to prove his love for me. An angel of God sent to me from above. My life has never been the same since I met him!”
“Ours is one marriage that was made from heaven. I met my husband through a friend of mine, who happens to know him differently. Sister Ige Chris was with my husband when she traveled to Dubai about 8 year ago. In their discussion, my husband confided in her that he wanted to settle down that was how my friend talked to him about me. She gave him my number and he gave me a call. That was how it started! He continued to call me until he proposed to me that he will like to marry me. By then, we had not even seen each other face to face. So I told him that I don’t even know him, but he insisted and told me that God has told him that I would be his wife. Though, from the first day we spoke, I had a witness in me that we were going to get married. Thing started picking up so fast! He requested that I should send him my pictures which I did. Within that same period, he traveled to Nigeria to see me and within a month, he had gone to see my people and my bride price was paid in January 19th 2004 and by November 27th of the same year, everything about our marriage was concluded. My husband would have wanted us to live in Dubai because he had a good job there, but because of my ministry and the unquestionable love he has for me, he re-located back to Nigeria. We have been happily married since then and God has blessed our marriage in many ways and He is not through with us yet.”
The Miracle of Isaac: “Lo, children are a heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As are in the hand of a might man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate” Psalm 127:3-5. Today, God has blessed our marriage with wonderful children. At the initial stage, it was going to be an issue but God in His wisdom and favour began to open doors for us and the children started coming and today we are privileged to be the father and mother of four children. The first is Beulah, Mercy, Joshua and Great then Isaac came! The Miracle of Isaac began after my pastor, Pastor Simeon Afolabi, declared a word over my life as we began 2010. Further more, in December 2010, the Lord confirm this prophetic word when he spoke to me that 2011 will be a year that will blossom and there shall be fruits in our lives. That word was declared in the fellowship and I never knew the dimension that God was going to move. All our children are unique and special as individual however, the miracle behind Isaac needs to be told. Isaac is a child of promise.”
“And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him”. Genesis 17:19. The situation concerning his birth is a testimony to the glory of God. When everything stood against the birth of Isaac ever after God has promised in His word. Several word and message came to confirm that there was going to be Isaac but the enemy was laughing at me. I went to pick the children after church sometime in December 2010 in Grace Covenant Church; when the church was about closing. While I waited for the service to end, the man of God, Bishop Iwo made an altar call to pray for those trusting God for the promise of child. I found myself join the people at the altar and the Bishop called out the children to lay hands on the belly of the women standing before the altar. The children that were praying for me were not even concentrating; nevertheless, I stayed through the prayers. Then I knew something has started.“Out of the month of babes and sucklings has ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger”. Psalm 8:2. By March of 2011, I notice that I was pregnant. I went to see my Doctor and the Doctor said that it was not Pregnancy! Others said that it was fibroid. However, I made this known to my pastor, Pastor Simeon Afolabi and every man of God that is close to us. Though, I suffered a lot of bleeding then but I never doubted one day about the pregnancy. Prayers were going on by the brethren. After some months, the pregnancy was confirmed. I must say here categorically that my God-mother and mentor, Dr. (Mrs.) Ingor favour ogan never doubted God’s word to me that I shall carry my babies, a set of twins (a boy and a girl).”
“Isaac eventually came contrary to every medical test and fact. Isaac came as a birthday gift to my husband whose birthday is November 22nd and Isaac came November 21st 2011. Today, the Lord through his mercy has taken away my shame and reproach. The Lord has made me to laugh today and many indeed are laughing with me!” That was how God turned her mess into mercy. So you reading this article will have your mess turn around to experience exceeding great mercy that will rebound in miracles of all you desire in life. Congratulations!
Dr. Lewis Akpogena
08055059656
E-mail: akpogena@yahoo.com
