One of my favorite projects is interviewing and writing about one of our fellow missionaries, Bayo Otiti. He was raised in a very powerful Nigerian family, became one of the most influential Muslims in Africa, and studied fashion in New York. He's done it all.
The story of how he got from there to where he is now, working as an evangelist in Clarkston, is so literary that it seems contrived. Hymns he learned as a child stirred feelings which he did not understand until the gospel took root in his life. Dreams and prophecies of an Imam foreshadowed his relationship with Christ. The conviction that led to his redemption came from one of his most destructive friendships.
In short, it's stuff that I as a writer would like to be able to invent, but probably couldn't. I am honored to be able to transcribe it.
The big news of the day was that the North American Mission Board approved us as part of their Missions Service Corps. Several of our friends and co-workers and even one family member gathered over Mexican food for lunch. We celebrated Ruthie and my appointment to what we will abbreviate NAMB on this blog forever and ever amen.
After eating, we all went to our apartment for coffee and to work on several logistical concerns (speaking of which, does anyone have a cutting-edge mac laptop they want to donate to Refugee Arts? It would solve a ton of problems for our multimedia and marketing department [Ian].)
The kids from the complex gathered at 4:30, and we are always glad to see (most of) them. I taught Axel a few chords on the guitar, then the children gathered and demanded a concert, which was me playing three chords over and over until they lost interest. Apparently, I need to learn some Jonas Brothers and Taylor Swift songs.
- Ian
Hi!
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