I am looking forward to seeing my old friend Dolapo and his wife Nomteto. We have known each other for around 25 years since meeting in London in the 80’s. He once served me the most chilli-hot Nigerian food I have ever eaten in my life. I survived the experience, and somehow we remained friends!
They are in town from Johannesburg to see family and come to my 50th birthday party. Dolapo has a special place in my heart because, after he became a Christian, he went on to live a truly adventurous life of faith. He left the comforts of London to be part of a church planting to Lagos in 1989. Then he served as Evangelist for the church in Accra, and has been in South Africa helping the churches there for many years now.
I am challenged by this sacrificial attitude. He has heeded the call like the situation in Acts ….
“The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus.” (Acts 13:4 NIV)
…..listening to the Spirit and going to a place of need. His trust in God has been tested far beyond most of ours – his wife dying on the mission field in Ghana. God blessed him with a wonderful second wife, and they are very happy, but the pain validates his faith.
Come and hear him share good news about God at work in Africa this Sunday, Harrow High School, 11am. Men of his faith are rare.