WEDDING SPECIALS

Mr Groom Speaks....
I decided even before I got admission that I will not enter into any relationship as an undergraduate. This simple decision made my focus more determined….Academics and Fellowship was it for me. I love God’s word and it excites me to teach it. I had to join Bible Study Unit of Christian Fellowship International, UNIBEN/UBTH since it will give me the opportunity I always enjoyed. CFi UNIBEN/UBTH is a large house hence I prepared myself to always respond to everyone's “Hi” with a smile.

I went off-campus in my 300L and got a place in Ekosodin, Edo state. Opposite my hostel was a grocery store that attracted students daily. On this faithful day, I stumbled into a girl seemingly smiling at me. Just like a flash, I capitalised on the opportunity thinking maybe she’s a CFite,(she actually was) exchanged healthy pleasantries and some light jokes with her. It so happened that I always meet this particular girl at the same grocery store that I teased her about being a good cook. She had to invite me over to her place to taste her food wanting to prove her cooking expertise. I’m quite a reserved person hence I really don’t honour such invitations but this was not a consideration because I knew I wouldn’t go……..but I later I did, which was not in my character. I remember eating  Eba and Egusi soup that day at her place. It wasn’t so delicious but I ate it. I started visiting her when I knew she was so interested to hear God’s word. I could go from class to class in UNIBEN looking for whom to preach to and I found this person that I could always visit and discuss God’s word within the comfort of her room was a wgood deal.
The visit became much more frequent as we started becoming good friends and would discuss almost about everything. I felt safe since the friendship was new and I had already made up my mind but there was something I wasn’t paying attention to. What could that be, I wondered? The idea of relationship was suggested. I felt I had a lot at stake, my decision to keep to, my leadership in fellowship etc. Yes I had to pray but pray about what? Didn’t know, hence prayed in tongues. I still remember the particular spot I was when those prayers were said and when I was done, I knew some things were settling. We threw in the fleece (younger then, wouldn’t do fleeces this time), got confirmation and officially started dating on 15th of April, 2011.
I was scared of failing because hadn’t been in a relationship before, I struggled within the first few days. I had to tell myself that I wouldn’t entertain any excuses. I’ll give my all and trust God for more since we already decided from the very get go that is marriage oriented with November 2015 in view. (I greatly abhor the idea of breaking a relationship; I would rather prefer not to begin). She literally taught me how to express love. She taught me how to call and do the check ups, how to be interested in very gist about us etc….,I think I learnt fast and well…*winks*. We had series of challenges from distance (she graduated one year before me hence leaving Benin City) to finance to attention and distraction etc. One thing that really kept was the decision to stay i.e. a non break up relationship.
Due to the future we envisaged, we had to trust God for everything. We started weekly prayers across the miles, bible studies over the phone and observed the Holy Communion even while we were apart. We believed that these spiritual exercises have a way of keeping us together in love and helping us stand stronger in the faith. Having gotten married in November 2015, my joy is not necessarily that of marital bliss alone but also the fact to see a dream come through……..Thank you Jesus.


Bride Speaks....
It all started about five years ago while we were still at the University of Benin, I went for Bible study in school one fine Wednesday evening, and we were shared in classes for the study. The bible study teacher that day was so grounded in the word and he left me speechless. He kept connecting scriptures and brought light to many things I had never seen in the scripture. It was a new experience because I was born in church, my parents were bible study leaders so I thought I knew the word. But when I heard this guy talking I just asked myself, ‘who on earth is that guy?’ and then after the whole bible stunts he ended the class with a joke, he said “una understand?’ we were all quiet in the class and kept wondering who is this funny guy that knew the word.
Days passed, and I met this funny guy again at a grocery shop close to my hostel in Ekosodin. He was buying some food stuff and so was I. He reached out to me and we got talking. We kept running into each other at the same shop buying food stuffs and I always bragged about how good a cook I was. And then one day I jokingly invited him to come and eat in my house and surprisingly, he agreed. Guess what, the food was terrible that day because it was the last burnt soup and I never expected he would agree to come to my house considering he was this spiritual brother. I felt so embarrassed and he ate the food despite all. I didn’t see him for a while, then one day, we met at that same grocery shop and he insisted I know his house. I obliged and went with him. We talked and laughed until late night and then he took me home. We continued our funny friendship and eventually exchanged numbers. We kept spending more time with each other as every moment was a happy one, and then feelings started developing.

When we realised we were getting too close we had to talk about it. I never wanted to settle for an Igbo man and I was going to graduate before him. He had his concerns as well, he was going to be a pastor, and being In a relationship as a pastor is not an easy one. So we decided to pray about it. We didn’t want to be in love and end up not being together. We had to know what God says about the matter. And we prayed using the fleece. Voila! We got our confirmation and we knew God was in it. This made us focused, committed and ready to fight for what we believed because we know who has spoken.

Trust me, it wasn’t very easy, we had many challenges, we had distance battle with, we had communication to contend with, we had finances to deal with, I had many temptations because I was in Lagos by myself and I met so many prospects, we had families and friends dissuade us but in the midst of all these, our love was strong and our faith unwavering, we came out stronger as a team.
And I got married to my companion. He is my one for life….

It's a hearty congratulations to this fine lovely couple, Mr and Mrs Victor 'Above' Onwudiwe.  We wish you both the best marriage brings.