A teenager, Ikem Ebechi, has assured children and young people that no matter the challenges they may be facing, when a new season comes, God makes a way where there seems to be none.
The male teenager said while ministering to children during the third United Kingdom edition of the Children Praise and Pray (CPP) event held on August 15 in Oakwood Grove, Warwick, England, UK, with the theme ‘A new season’, derived from Isaiah 43:19.
The CPP is an annual international event held in Nigeria (its 10th edition held on August 1st) and in Canada (its maiden edition held on August 8th), organised by the non-governmental organisation (NGO), the Outpour of Fragrances Initiative (OFI).
Speaking extensively on the theme, Ikem said that life can present people, including children, with uncertainties or hardship, making them wonder if things will change, and also making them focus more on the past than on the present and the good things associated with it.
“But God said we should trust in him because He has good plans for us. He said He will make a way for us where there seems to be no way,” he said.
He assured that no matter the situation, when a new season comes, broken relationships are restored, peace is guaranteed, and there will be hope for the discouraged, adding, “And every day will be a chance to love, rejoice, be kind, and become more like Christ.”
Another teenager, Tami, and Aunty Ehehi anchored the Bible questions and answers (Q&As) task on ‘Would you rather or…’ In this session, questions like these were asked: Would you rather build the ark with Noah or walk around the Walls of Jericho with Joshua? Would you rather ride the largest chariot of fire or watch Jesus walk on water? Would you rather witness the parting of the Red Sea or the falling of the Walls of Jericho? Etc.
The Founder and President of the Outpour of Fragrances Initiative (OFI), Dr Lola Odeyale Ayo-Fashida, stated that, since they started the CPP event in 2017, God has been using the organisation to minister and empower children, spiritually and educationally.
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Delivering her address earlier, Dr Ayo-Fashida appreciated Aunty Faith, Aunty Chudi, Aunty Joy, Aunty Blessing Ebehi, Alex, Brianna, Sophie, Oliseka, Atarah, Tami, other volunteers, and parents who made the UK event possible.
“When I received the mandate to start this initiative in 2017, God told me to gather children and let them praise Him. Adults are not exempted too, because we are all children of God,” she said.
She noted that the CPP event is not the only programme that her organisation runs. She said that they organise other programmes in Nigeria, and hope to expand to other African countries.
Ayo-Fashida spoke to the children about her new children’s book titled ‘Bisola and the Paper Clock’, which she said teaches time management and the power of writing things down.
She said that it is important for children to write down their ideas and dreams because even God wrote down His word in the Bible, adding that when things are written down, they happen because there is power in what is written down.
“Writing things down helps you to think clearly and to stay focused. People who have achieved great things or have become great wrote it down and worked for it,” she said.
At the event, the children and their parents prayed for their families, schools, country, and the church. The event also featured songs, quiz competitions, games, choreography and other presentations.