The Unexpected Gift
I was returning from Southern Nigeria where I had spoken at a large pastor's conference. The Nigerian airline I was to fly had canceled my flight because they hadn't sold enough tickets. That delayed my arrival in Lagos by six hours. Unfortunately, the young pastor who was to escort me upon my arrival had already left for the airport, and there was no way to inform him that I would be late. He faithfully chose to wait until I arrived.
Upon arrival in Lagos I discovered that I'd also missed the flight to Belgium and would be delayed six more hours. But my Nigerian host, Pastor George--having already waited at the airport for six hours--was not about to abandon me now. We settled in for what would be his second six-hour wait.
I knew it would be past midnight on Saturday night before he'd get home. I also knew he had to conduct church services the next morning. Feeling guilty for this imposition on his time I suggested that he go home to his family. Nothing doing! He had his assignment and was sticking to it! I tried to offer him help. His continual reply was, "No, thank you."
Eventually I resorted to prayer. "Lord, how can I bless this young pastor?" With that I went to the snack bar to buy us Cokes. While there I noticed a magazine rack behind the counter.
This was not a rack of neat, current magazines. Rather, it was filled with periodicals left behind by travelers. Most of the magazines were at least three months old and were being resold.
At first glance, there appeared to be no Christian literature of any sort. Then to my amazement I saw a copy of Strang Communication's Ministries Today magazine.
Nigerians had already told me how they love that magazine and how hard it is to get one in their country. I knew I had to buy this copy for my host, Pastor George. Much to my surprise the lady charged me $7.50 USD, far more than the original price in the U.S.!
I was even more amazed to find that this was the issue containing the article I had written, "Help Lord! This Prayer Group's Driving Me Crazy" (Sep/Oct, 1997). But I felt as if the Lord placed it there for me in answer to my prayer. It was still in it's unopened clear plastic mailer!
I autographed my article, took it back and handed it to George. When he saw what I was giving him, he wept. I watched him devour the entire magazine for the next hour and a half. As I stood to leave, George pointed to my article and said, "Brother Eddie, I'm going to preach this message to my church tomorrow!"
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Enroll in our 52-Week Email School of Prayer, no charge.
Details: www.TeachMeToPray.com
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Register for our 2006 Prayer and Leadership Conferences
Details: www.PrayerConference.com
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Upon arrival in Lagos I discovered that I'd also missed the flight to Belgium and would be delayed six more hours. But my Nigerian host, Pastor George--having already waited at the airport for six hours--was not about to abandon me now. We settled in for what would be his second six-hour wait.
I knew it would be past midnight on Saturday night before he'd get home. I also knew he had to conduct church services the next morning. Feeling guilty for this imposition on his time I suggested that he go home to his family. Nothing doing! He had his assignment and was sticking to it! I tried to offer him help. His continual reply was, "No, thank you."
Eventually I resorted to prayer. "Lord, how can I bless this young pastor?" With that I went to the snack bar to buy us Cokes. While there I noticed a magazine rack behind the counter.
This was not a rack of neat, current magazines. Rather, it was filled with periodicals left behind by travelers. Most of the magazines were at least three months old and were being resold.
At first glance, there appeared to be no Christian literature of any sort. Then to my amazement I saw a copy of Strang Communication's Ministries Today magazine.
Nigerians had already told me how they love that magazine and how hard it is to get one in their country. I knew I had to buy this copy for my host, Pastor George. Much to my surprise the lady charged me $7.50 USD, far more than the original price in the U.S.!
I was even more amazed to find that this was the issue containing the article I had written, "Help Lord! This Prayer Group's Driving Me Crazy" (Sep/Oct, 1997). But I felt as if the Lord placed it there for me in answer to my prayer. It was still in it's unopened clear plastic mailer!
I autographed my article, took it back and handed it to George. When he saw what I was giving him, he wept. I watched him devour the entire magazine for the next hour and a half. As I stood to leave, George pointed to my article and said, "Brother Eddie, I'm going to preach this message to my church tomorrow!"
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Enroll in our 52-Week Email School of Prayer, no charge.
Details: www.TeachMeToPray.com
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Register for our 2006 Prayer and Leadership Conferences
Details: www.PrayerConference.com
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
If this blog has blessed you, and you'd like to receive email notification when articles are added, please subscribe at www.bloglines.com and subscribe to: http://eddie-smith.blogspot.com
posted by Eddie Smith | 8:47 AM
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