The other day, a bunch of us were out hammocking when a squad mate, Morgan and I had the privilege of meeting a man named James. And I want to share his story with you all.
James is 29 years old. He was born into a strong Christian family in Nigeria with 2 brothers and 2 sisters, Samuel, David, Tabita, and Ladi.
James lived in Nigeria until recently when he decided to trust Gods calling to move to Côte d’Ivoire with no plans or anything. He ended up moving to Mission Ephrata, our compound where we are staying, because his friend back home had mentioned it to him. The best part was that he had no idea it was a Christian ministry! God had called him to the unknown and ended up providing him with people that would pour into him.
Unfortunately, James has had to face many trials before coming to Côte d’Ivoire. His family was split by unrest that has been happening in Nigeria. His dad and sister are currently stuck in Cameroon. They haven’t been able to return with the rest of his family. Meanwhile, James’s mother, sister, and two brothers have faced their home and property being burned by Nigerian soldiers.
When we were talking to James, we could see the fear and sadness in his eyes when he told us all of the hardships his family had had to face
He asked us to pray for Nigeria, specifically the state of Borno, that the people there could have peace and rest in the belief that God has a sovereign plan. He asked us to pray over his family. That they could be reunited and safe from all of the unrest. And he asked us to pray that he would find a job here in Côte d’Ivoire, to be able to sustain himself as well as help his family.
Through hearing James’s story, I felt convicted to share it. So I asked him if I could share it with my friends and family back home so that we could create a prayer army to be praying over Nigeria, James, and his family. Morgan and I also told him that we would love to pray over him right there, so we did. And we could feel God’s presence.
In the little amount of time I have been in Côte d’Ivoire I have already learned so many lessons.
I have learned to expect the unexpected. I did not go into that day expecting to meet James. But the fruit that came out of it was so much more than I ever hoped for.
And I have learned that we can bless people in simple ways. For example, Morgan and I just listening to James’s story. All of us being able to sit in prayer together was powerful.
What God can do with these simple lessons is endless. God’s love for us is fierce. And we are called to fiercely and boldly love his people. And that can look different for everyone. For James, it’s knowing that he has an army of believers on his side praying together for Nigeria and his family.
My hope through this blog is that we can all join James in prayer. His testimony is powerful and I believe God has such big plans for him and his family. I am blessed that he had the courage to share his story with me and I want to use it to give hope to others. That through his story others can find the boldness to follow God’s call the way he did when he left Nigeria for Côte d’Ivoire. And that through his story others will step into prayer during hardships like he has done for his family.
Matthew 18:20 (ESV)
20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”
