By Anietie Usen
The Altar Call I answered many many years ago was made by Rev. Uma Ukpai. It was at the embryo of his Wednesday’s Fellowship in his residence at Ewet Housing Estate, Uyo. That was in 1992, the genesis of my intentional walk with God. I am m so happy today because It was also the initiation of my eternal covenant with God which can never be broken.
Thank you very much my Father-in-the-Lord, for all that you deposited in me and my family over the years and all that you taught us even unto the end. As you would say, it is one thing to be taught and it is another thing altogether to learn. What is important at this juncture, Father, is that you played your part in our lives excellently, to the hilt.
Priesthood aside, you were a very good man, very jovial, very amiable and very hospitable. I cannot count how many times you allowed me to drag you and your wife to Afaha Akpan Ekpo, my village, in Etinan, for crusades and other programmes. You were always there for me and my family, whether it was at my children’s marriages or my mother’s burial or house warming, etc.
During the wedding, December 16, 2023, of my last daughter, Ukeme Usen, you sacrificed nearly everything, cancelled all your other very important and critical engagements outside the state and personally presided over that wedding. What a loving father!
I cannot also count how many times I have trailed and accompanied you to your hilltop residence in Asaga, your home town in Ohafia, Abia State, for various occasions and programmes.
I remember driving all the way from Lagos to Asaga, on Christmas eve 1999, with my entire nuclear family, just to share some precious moments with you and your family. It was also partly for me to show off with my new Pajero Mitsubishi jeep and testify how God, through your prayers, had turned my mourning into dancing. As a lover of good cars yourself, your joy for me overflowed with more prayers for better years ahead. And it came to pass!
I remember also that my son, Bobby Usen, was born on your birthday. Maybe that was not a coincidence but God (incident) as you had prayed more than anyone else for my next child to be a boy. And when God answered that prayer, you celebrated so much with us and warned me not to pamper the boy, being the only boy among three girls. And I obeyed.
My family and I are very grateful to you and will remain very very proud of you till eternity. The fact is that you did not only open my eyes to see Jesus but stood by me until I could stand firm in Him. That’s worth more than money can buy, Daddy.
It is 100 percent true also that, without you and your God by my side, my life would have veered into a terrible trajectory with the attendant implications, complications and consequences. Not only me. But thousands in my generation, who you recruited into the Kingdom in the 90s, taught every Wednesday in your fellowship, equipped and established in the faith, are forever grateful to you.
Thank you very much, Daddy. I am very proud of you and your mansion in heaven and will always love and cherish your memories.
You came, you saw and you conquered. You have fought a good fight, you have finished your course, you have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for you a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give you at that day: and not to you only but unto all them also that love His appearing.
Fare Thee Well, Evangelist Par Excellence.
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