Posted by
Scott Ptak on Friday, January 26, 2007 9:49:37 AM
Goodbyes. I must admit that I don’t care for them much. Tight handshakes that turn into hard swallows. Eyes that mist over as you both realize it may be quite a while before God gives you the opportunity to see each other again.
Knowing down deep that there will be many times in the near future when just thinking about this person brings either an inward smile or an outward tear. It helps to know that God’s will is being done. That He has confirmed, in a number of ways, it’s time to move on to another of His great adventures. Such was the case this past Monday for me as I said goodbye to a dear friend.
Many of you may remember a story I wrote almost two years ago concerning a Nigerian missionary, the Rev. Alfred Sunday Otoki. Pastor Alfred, as he is affectionately called, has been with my family and me, and our church family for almost two years. We’ve grown very close during that time and I have learned much from him. It was especially difficult as I helped him move this past Monday.
God called Pastor Alfred to the Ridgecrest Conference Center in Asheville, NC. His missionary work is to return to Nigeria and build a pastor’s Bible College and Conference Center. The new calling God has provided for him in North Carolina will allow him to gain the necessary experience he needs before returning to Nigeria.
As I reflected this past week about how God has used Pastor Alfred during his time here, I couldn’t help but marvel at how much was learned in so short a time. He had, through God, much to teach me about being a pastor, and so much to teach the church about many issues.
Prayer always came first for Pastor Alfred. He is a man of devout, Spirit-filled prayer. His life revolves around the time he spends at the Master’s feet. He is drawn to prayer like a moth to a flame, or a dying man who desperately seeks new life. There is a passion and belief when he prays that God hears and understands.
I am not talking about the American white-bread prayers that come from a full belly and an over abundance of “things.” No, these are the prayers of a man who comes from a nation born in strife, from a culture that has been oppressed for hundreds of years, and where freedom comes at the whim of the current political leadership.
He grew up understanding the true meaning of “give us this day our daily bread.” We in America hold onto God with a thumb and forefinger. Pastor Alfred, his people, and the majority of Christians outside of America and Western Europe, are holding onto God with everything they have. Their arms and legs are wrapped around Him because He is their “all in all”. He is all they have.
Theirs is a prayer born out of desperate need, while the prayer in American churches often comes almost as a casual afterthought. Our perception, all too often, is that if God doesn’t provide it for us, then we’ll provide it for ourselves. It’s hard to imagine God hearing and responding to both of those prayers in the same manner.
Yes, Pastor Alfred showed us how to pray in a new way and with a new power. If God allowed him to do nothing more than that during his time with us, then it was to God’s glory.
God brings different people into our lives for specific purposes and in His perfect timing. Often, as in this case, we believe the person is there for too short a time. I will readily admit that my motives in believing that are selfish.
Pastor Alfred performed many roles in my life; mentor, brother in Christ, friend, and confidant. Our daily conversations and prayer time will be greatly missed. I look forward to when God will allow us to spend time together in the future – either in this life or the next. God willing, many from our church will be with him Nigeria as, one day, the new Bible College and Conference Center is dedicated to the Lord.
Until then, God as given us the ability to work together for His name and for the Kingdom. What a glorious privilege that is.