THE TRANSFORMATION PROCESS- FELIX SHARES HIS STORY

THE TRANSFORMATION PROCESS- FELIX SHARES HIS STORY

I remember meeting Felix in NYSC camp. That day, all corp members were asked to sit on the bare floor by soldiers with our sparkling white shorts. I didn’t even wait to hear the complete instruction when I immediately left the rocky area I was to go and search for a smoother place to sit; even though that meant leaving my platoon line and going to another platoon which wasn’t really allowed. I picked up a nylon so I could spread on the floor to sit on. There I was in platoon seven line all the way from platoon four. As I spread my nylon to sit beside these group of strangers, I landed beside Felix. We would later become friends, and he would later bare his life to me…

Merely looking at him, I could tell his soul was burdened. I notice he often sighed, rarely smiled and seemed to always be lost in thought. I wanted to help him. I knew I could help him. Well, I couldn’t offer much except to lead him to the one who helped me and still helps me.

And so we talked. A lot. Because there was so much to be told. We would sit back after our SAED classes and talk for long hours, only dispersing when the clouds began to get darker. And I fed him with so much about God. So much so that he wanted to experience the kind of excitement with which I talked about someone…

Today, six months later, Felix has become like a “big son” to me, and has grown from being that sad and depressed individual, to one who has been taking little yet consistent baby steps into becoming the best of who he was created to be.

Here is what Felix has to say about his own life:

“My name is Felix Ohimai Aikoroje, I am from Edo state,Nigeria but I was born in Kaduna. From the first day I opened my eyes as a child, I have had very horrible experiences. We are six boys and growing up, things were really hard for us as my both parents were jobless. I went to a public primary school, and I started hawking from the age of 5 to stay in school even though our school fees was just one hundred and fifty Naira. Even at that, we would still be the first to be sent home for school fees or torn uniform. We lived in a garage for five years because we couldn’t afford to rent a room and the heat from the cars would nearly kill us. We lived close to a gutter that stunk all day. When I got to secondary school, we couldn’t afford uniforms so I had to use the uniforms passed down to me by my elder brothers, and that made me odd. Because of that, I was nicknamed “odd one out” so I looked for a way to fit in, and that led to my addictions. I began stealing, drinking, staying out late, doing a lot of crazy things with women, and that continued till University. I would feel a conscience tug every now and then but will shrug it off. All this while, I was singing in my church choir while living a double life. One day, I came out for an altar call in church after struggling so hard, yet it was the best decision I have made. I know I’m not perfect but I love God and he loves me, and he has used my amazing friends to change me.”

This story always gets to me, and here is the thing- It’s okay to be frail. It’s okay to have a past. It’s okay to be laden with imperfections. It’s okay to have made mistakes, no matter how grave they are. But my friends, just don’t live in that past. Just don’t let the accusing voice of the enemy cause you to get stuck in the guilt of the past, so much so that you can’t move forward. So much so that you can’t see ahead of you. It doesn’t matter what it is- addictions, bad habits, ugly cycles…proclaim your freedom in Christ. He gave it to you and he hasn’t changed his mind. Don’t let the enemy cause you to feel unworthy to receive of it because of some mistake that the precious blood shed for you already took care of. There is a way forward. You will find life, hope and strength for the future as you move out of that cage. Felix is a living experience. He is not perfect. I am not. But what matters the most, is striving daily to become better. It will take a while. It may be one step at a time, or maybe two. But of course it is THE PROCESS. So keep it moving! Bless!

Fam, let’s say something encouraging to our friends striving daily to be better people!

PS: I have Fel’s full permission to share this. Actually, it was his idea. (But to get him to actually write his story na war. I put a lot of pressure on him eh. But that’s what mommas do right?!)

Also, people complained of not being able to comment because of the google account setting. I have deactivated that, so anyone can comment.

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