OYUGBO

I serve as the Secretary of an Edo Delta Association, a community I have been part of for about eight years. Growing up, I carried a deep seated belief that a good Christian shouldn't join such associations. In my brought up teachings, anything outside church programs and house fellowship was not considered a fitting gathering for a believer. But life, and faith, often teach us in unexpected ways. Last month, one of our members lost his wife. As an association, we felt a deep responsibility to stand with him in his time of grief. Though the bereaved family had not planned the wake with us, we mobilized ourselves to attend and offer our support. The wake keep was scheduled to start at 8 p.m. We arrived shortly after 9 p.m., only to find the place completely filled. It took us over thirty minutes just to find a parking space. When we finally settled into our seats, I looked around at the sea of unfamiliar faces. I live far from this community, and I knew almost no one there. Then, le...