God understands. Or does He?

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you do things that are ‘not quite right’ but whenever your conscience eats at you, you are quick to file that incidence in the folder named ‘God understands’.

It is not necessary the murder type of things I’m referring to here, although they are covered. I’m more concerned about those little, little slip ups. Those easily ignored errors such as telling white lies, bragging, forgetting to pray in the morning…because you are hurrying off to work, etc.

***

Yesterday, I visited ‘This Present House’  As soon as I stepped into the compound, I was beginning to question myself. ‘Temi, all these fashion parade churches, hmm. Why didn’t you just stick to your good ol’ RCCG’. I proceeded anyway. We were ushered in and myself and my friend, Jea* sat down with me on the edge.

Immediately, an usher came and asked me to swap with her because my skirt was short. What?!!! Now, I am a church worker and have been for quite a while. More relevantly, I’m a firm believer in decency and modesty in dressing so trust me, that skirt WAS NOT short. Also, I had my bag on my lap covering my skirt so I really did not see what the issue was exactly. Anyways, without arguing or even speaking, we swapped. My friend was wearing a maxi skirt so the difference between hers and my knee length was pronounced. That singular act began to change my opinion of the church. I was impressed that they, too, valued the principle of decency enough to correct a first timer.

The pastor, Pastor Moses, spoke in a way I have not heard in a looooooong time. He spoke without fear or favour, boldly telling us the fate of those who go about betraying God. He spoke on how almost everyone in church (the body of Christ generally) thinks that because these are not exactly the days of Ananias and Saphira, we can sin and then  come with our filth into God’s presence.

I admired his boldness. Trust me, it takes some guts to speak to your congregation in that manner. It absolutely wiped away my initial opinion of the church as a ‘babe babe’ kinda church and I learned a whole lot which I want to apply to my post today.

***

One area in which I had been struggling was in my prayers. Trust me, it is so much easier praying in Jand. Here, there is always one excuse or the other. These are all the devil’s gimmicks because before the enemy can attack, he must first douse your prayer life.

There is power in prayer

I usually would find myself waking up at 5:00 am, snoozing the alarm, re-waking at 6:00 am and then screaming, ‘Shoot!’. I’d go into the shower, throw on my clothes and rush off to work. I’d get to work and that’s it! Work ends at about 6pm. I’d get home at about 7:30, watch TV, prepare for the next day’s work, BB, facebook, tweet. At 10:30ish, my eyes would be heavy. It is then I’d bring out my Bible and begin to pray. Trust me, the most I’d manage to read is one chapter and I’d be out! The cycle usually repeats itself .

Yesterday, as the pastor spoke, I remembered all the words my pastor in Coventry drummed into our ears about the importance of prayers and then I decided to blow out the dust and cobwebs in my prayer alter and reignite the fire. It is not enough to pray those 5-15 minute prayers. We must do battle in the place of prayer!

Let’s turn to Revelation 18:

11And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:

 12The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,

 13And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.

 Note the emboldened words…

There are workers of iniquity who specialise in the trade of souls of men (Dr Olukoya spoke on this during the last Power Must Change Hands). Remember, while men slept, the enemy came and sowed tares (Matthew 13:25). Men ought to pray and not faint (Luke 18:1). I urge us all to arise from our slumbers and decide that from now on, our altars will be hot day in day out. This is the only way we can have victory in Christ. It is not enough to pray for ourselves and our families. We must pray for our city and the community too. As we pray, our strength is renewed and God gives us the grace to lead sin-free lives. May God help us all.

Random Question:

 When people tell silly jokes about people beside you, do you:

 -laugh uncomfortably and look elsewhere

-join in and add a few bad things you noticed too

-pretend not to have heard

-rebuke them for slandering another person

Random Gist:

I went to The Palms for the first time on Wednesday (after CD). It’s really nice sha. Looks like Lewisham Shopping Centre. Saw a movie-Little Red Riding Hood. Really nice…

The Palms

Stay blessed!

Temiville.xoxo

Community Development. Really?

Ok so yesterday was my CD day and I have been selected to contribute to the Beautification of Lagos State.

I was of the opinion that we could decide which CD group to join but on getting to the LG, I realized that was not to be. These groups were practically forced on us. My friends and I were hoping to get Mondays or Fridays. They did. I didn’t. Boohoo.

Anyways, I sucked it up remembering I have sworn to serve Nigeria with all my strength. Going to the LG every Wednesday is not exactly the worst fate that can befall one. My friend, Rita and Damola (who got Mondays and Fridays respectively) encouraged me to see the bright side of Wednesday CDs, reminding me that I pretty much get a break from work every other day.

So yesterday, I dutiful went to the LG at 8.00am. I signed my name on the register and had my CD card submitted. That was just the beginning. We were delayed out there till 1:30pm!!! I was livid! Absolutely irritated.

I love working. I don’t consider myself a lazy person but the idea of sitting in the sun for so long doing absolutely NADA got me thinking… What exactly is the point of going there every week? How exactly am I developing the community by so doing? Can someone please explain to me the idea behind Community Development and how our sitting out in the LG relates to it? Can we not just go there once a month to plan our project for the year. Do we really need 52 meetings?

I culled this from AllAfrica.com but frankly, I’m yet to see it happening. Sadly, the report of Batches B and C corpers leaves me nothing much to look forward to.

NYSC Community Development Service is a well organized body with its goals on economic and social activities. Besides, one of the scheme’s objectives is to serve the Nigerian public as part of the effort and contribution to the development of our country. The Community Development CD programme which is usually embarked upon by Corps members is a project sponsored by corps members to develop either the community or locality in which they serve during the one year mandatory service.

After complaining to myself, I asked myself this question:

Temi, would you honestly prefer going on the streets of Lagos for the whole day planting flowers to jejeli sitting down on the pavement in the LG?

I’m guessing you know my answer…

Have a lovely day people!

Temiville.xoxo

Thank You Lord…

O give thanks unto the LORD; for [he is] good; for his mercy [endureth] for ever.

1 Chronicles 16:34

So many times we forget to say ‘Thank You Lord’. No matter how tired you are in the night, give thanks. No matter how late you wake up in the morning, don’t just rush off to work, give thanks. Give thanks for all his blessings.

God is good and His mercies endure forever. Give thanks and commit the day in His able hands. Never forget to pray. Never be in to much of a hurry to pray. Pray. People who use ‘jazz’ never go out of their house without fortifying themselves. Yet, we as believers rush off mumbling a few words as we get into our cars. No wonder Jesus said in Luke 16:8 that ‘the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light’. Please, let us repent of our prayerlessness. It opens the door to the enemy. It exposes us to dangers untold. Let our prayerlife always be hot. Let our prayer alter never go unmanned.

Pray without ceasing.—1 Thessalonians 5:17

There’s power we are on our knees…

Thanksgiving is a lovely way to rev you up if you feel kinda tired in the morning. Just listen to a few worship songs. Personally, I’d prefer the upbeat ones as they wake me up. But whatever you do, always remember to pray for yourself, for your family, for your community, for the church, for the nation.

God bless you all,

Temiville.xoxo

I love my job!

Hi people,

I’m still here oh. I have internet and all but mehn blogging in this country e no easy at all. Blogging, as any true blogger will tell you, requires a lot of discipline. However, blogging in Naij as a worker is on a whole new level. In spite of this, I humbly promise to deliver as often as possible. I’m presently working on a story which should be published pretty soon.

Now to the matter at issue. I love my job!

I love my job!

I thank God for this opportunity. A lot of people don’t enjoy what they do and the only thing that gives them comfort is the pay. With me, it’s not about working in Shell, Chevron, Standard Chartered or wherever, it is about loving what you do and looking forward to going to work in the mornings. I started just last week but so far, so great. You might think it to be initial gra gra but it really is not. I have a very cool boss too. I pray that God will keep on making all things work together for good. I pray for you guys too that you will find fulfilment and satisfation in what you do.

I’m looking for a church o by the way. My friend recommended Waterbrook which meets at Oriental Hotel. Another one recommended Christ Embassy. I attended MFM two Sundays back (during the Power Must Change Hands). I enjoyed it so much but I’m not sure I can do 7:30 am-2pm again (I shall be blogging on the insights Dr Olukoya shared with us. It was awesome). I’m a Redeemer sha so I might just stick to that. I’m seriously praying for leading on this issue.

Now, on a not so chirpy note, let us have one minute silence for the souls of the departed youth corpers who lost their lives in the Suleja bombing. To think that just 2 weeks ago, we were all singing, ‘Youths obey the clarion call…’ Really really sad.

 May their souls rest in peace and may God grant their families the strength to bear what must be terrible losses. The election itself was great. Everything went well. I pray to God for even better at the Presidential elections next week.

On a random note, using my BB in Naij has been a nightmare, to put it mildly. My BBMs take forever to deliver. I thought it was Glo messing up so this month, I subscribed with my MTN. That was a big blunder. I officially don’t receive my email anymore! I’m so annoyed. I need to storm into their office one of these days.

Anyway, good people, I wish you all a wonderful week ahead. God bless and keep you and keep His face shining on you and may He give you peace.

PS: Congrats to Aunty Bukky on the birth of her son, Joshua. Isn’t he lovely?

Cute baby Josh

That’s all (for now)

Temiville.

2011 April Elections…

I have been keenly observing the goings on of the build up to the April 2011 elections. Not because I’m particularly into politics but because I’m a Nigerian lady who believes change is possible. Well, sadly, I did not register as I wasn’t around but it has been my mission to encourage as many people as I can to get up and go out and VOTE! It is not enough to complain about the terrible situation of things, instead the question should be, ‘How can I contribute to the change that is to come?’

This was my mindset when INEC officials came to the NYSC camp in Ipaja and said we were to conduct the elections this year. I felt honoured to be a part of such a noble task. Not only was I serving my nation, I was also being a part of history. It was huge deal to me. My girls however did not share my enthusiasm. They felt it was going to be a complete waste of their time and they hated being forced to wait to listen to lectures on the elections. As soon as it was made clear that it was optional, my friends immediately opted out and never had anything to do with INEC lectures again.

Well, I underwent the training, in the heat of Ipaja sun. But when I discussed participating with my mom, she yelled, ‘Temi, lai lai, you are doing no such thing!’ and so I humbly bowed out.

Right now, as I type, I’d like to blow my mama a kiss. Mothers are so wise. Thank God I did not participate o. I have a friend (also a corper) who is a polling assistant in Agege LG. It has been tales of woe since yesterday night when they were abandoned in a primary school in Agege with no arrangement made for their accommodation. Some people slept on the floor in the primary school exposing themselves to all manners of dangers. Others paid for a cheap street side h(m)otel and passed the night there. Accreditation was to start at 8 am this morning. As at 11am, they were still in the primary school in Agege collecting materials. What happened in Agege also was the case in many parts of Nigeria such as Gombe, Osun, Ogun and Bauchi.

Eventually, an hour ago, I learned that the elections have been suspended till Monday the 4^th of April. People had queued up for hours only to be turned away. In the particular center my friend was in, it was actually a voter who told them the election had been cancelled. They had been conducting it as normal. The international community must be having a hearty laugh. Observers must be shaking their heads in disgust. Elections getting postponed on the set day?! This really is a shame.

INEC boss, Attahiru Jega blamed unprecedented late arrival of result sheets for national assembly elections cancellation. What is the meaning of unprecedented? They called it ‘logistics failure’. It is only in Naija that I hear that word ‘logistics’ being thrown around whenever incompetence is being displayed.

Now people, who is right? My friends who never bothered to serve or those who did and are being tossed about? By the way, they were told their pay was further reduced…

I urge people to keep on praying for this country. Nothing is impossible with God. Prayers can move mountains. Nigeria does need our prayers…

Here are some pictures that got BB-ed to me:

Governor BRF voting

People standing in the queue for hours

Frustrated people and corpers too

 

They waited in vain 😦

 

Get to praying people,

God answers,

Temiville.xoxo

Goodbye Ipaja :(

Hi people!

Camp is finally over! I had heard of tales of how your first week in camp is so terrible, second week, you begin to adjust and make wonderful friends and then in the final week, you have so much fun and you cry when it is time to part ways. Well, all that happened except the crying part. We were too busy queuing up to get our posting letters and the only tears were probably from those posted to awful places of primary assignment.

I’d like to say goodbye by giving you details of a typical day in Ipaja…

3:30am

You begin to hear sounds of your roommates’ alarms going off. If you are like me and you are hardly disturbed by noise, you manage to go back to bed.

4.00am

People are very much awake and at least 18 of your 29 roommates are already taking their buckets and heading for one of the 4 bathrooms on the floor.

4:30am

The beagle goes off. For those who don’t know what this is, I’ll attempt an explanation. It is a very annoying horn-like sound which is blown by a soldier known as the beagler. It is blown to wake us all up but as my roommates will testify, by Day 6, I was immune to it. My bunkee and I would sleep through it, Live!

5.00am

5 aggressive and angry female soldiers begin screaming expletives at those still in the hostel. Trust me, I have always known this but my 3 weeks in the Ipaja camp have proved that women are way meaner than their male counterparts. They would scream at us mercilessly. The good thing is that they never lay their hands on you. All they do is threaten to pour water on you for oversleeping. NB: If you want to enjoy your stay on camp, never, I repeat NEVER get rude to any soldier or in fact ANYBODY. Be very polite and courteous no matter how tempted you are. If you must scream, do so but into your pillow and in the solace of your room.

5:20am

We are all assembled on the parade ground. The camp director begins,

‘Genroomen corps members, good morning’ (NB: both guys and girls are addressed as ‘gentlemen’ and it is always morning in the camp. Even at 7pm, they say good morning.

After a brief run through of what the day has in store, the Platoon on duty has a Christian representative and also a Muslim one to pray. Thereafter, someone from the platoon offers a word of encouragement/charge/wisdom etc. This is known as ‘Meditation’. Basically, it is something to get you thinking.

5:40am

We begin my favourite part of the morning: Drills!!! This is usually led by a member of the Man o’ War. In our camp, the same mix tape was used everyday for three weeks except the day the camp commandant decided our drills were to consist of frog jumps and the very last day of camp. It starts thus, ‘DJ Kamee Kamee Koma Kalo‘ then proceeds with a song that goes ‘wind for me…’ The morning exercises are very interesting as people sing along as they immitate the moves of whoever is in front leading.

6.00am

We all stop whatever we are doing. Why? you ask. Well, Nigeria is waking up so we stand at attention as the horn is blown by a soldier. As soon as he is done, exercise continues.

6:15am

Gyration starts! These are some of the songs chants we had:

I call am call am she no gree

I call am call am she no answer

When I tell am, I’m  a soldier

She say make I buy am something

(Wetin I buy am?)

I buy am apoche

I buy am miniskirt o

I buy am rubber sandals….

Say Iya Bose —-Iya Bose Iya Bose

Say Omolara—Omolara Omolara

Soldier sings:

Ehhhh zero your mind

eeeeeeh zero your mind

Alawee no dey, zero your mind

alawee no dey, zero your mind

Corpers respond:

Eeeeeh yawa go dey

EeEEEEh yawa go dey

If alawee no dey yawa go dey

If alawee no dey yawa go dey

This is the way I wanted to be ooo

This is the way I wanted to be

Eeeeh I want to be a corper

Eeeeh I want to be a corper

Eh Eh Eh I want to be a corper

This is the way I wanted to be

The favourite of people was… ‘Hold somtin’

8am

Bath and breakfast

9am-2pm

Lecture on a selected topic

2-4pm

Lunch/Personal administration

4-6pm

Drills

6pm

The horn is blown signifying the close of the working day in Nigeria

6-10pm

Social activities

6-8pm

NCCF

10pm

Lights out

***

Camp was a truly wonderful place to be-I can only say this now from the comfort of my bed. I hated the bathroom situation with my entire being and I only did the deed twice in 3 weeks. On the flip side, I made lovely friends, met wonderful people, I even saw Chidi Mokeme *yes I love Chidi, fake accent and all*

Now, real life begins. Work begins. I wish every 2011 Batch A corper the very best this year. God bless you!

Here are some pictures…

TFC stand

 

people dancing at the LG stand

 

Where we eat at Mummy and Aunty Indomie's shop at Mammy

Where we eat toast