After a long week of activities, here’s what our special guests had to say…

Q1. Please introduce yourselves.

My name is Mark Kessler. Beth and I leave in Columbus Ohio, United States (US). I work in a Library Technology Company and I manage software developers. We are part of a church in Columbus called Vineyard Columbus. We have a 24 year old daughter and a pet dog, Bitsy.

My name is Beth and I work as a voice actor from a studio in our home. We are very involved with our small group at church. They are our support system and conveniently enough they happen to be our back door neighbour. We are about twenty in that group and because our church is very large, these home fellowships are how we take care of each other and keep each other accountable.

Q2. This is your first time in Africa. What inspired your trip to Lagos, Nigeria?

Beth – The gracious invitation of Pastor Olusola and Pastor Mrs Omowunmi Adewole.

Mark – We enjoyed spending time together, we were close when they were in the United States. We got to know them and I think it was our friendship; our two families getting to know each other. When they said why don’t you consider coming, our first reaction was “Yes, definitely!” and second reaction was “Well, what would this involve”. It was really just their warmth and full participation in the community. They didn’t just keep to themselves but they wanted to be involved in things. They were great examples to us, and if the rest of Nigeria is like this we would go.

Q3. Can you kindly share some places you visited?

Mark– We might have trouble with some of the names (Laughs). The Lekki Conservation Centre was absolutely fantastic. It was very fun and very interesting. We went to visit the presidential library (Obasanjo Presidential library) which was magnificent. It was brilliant and very easy to understand and also very informative.

Beth – We were very much concerned when they were taking us to the library because we don’t know much about Nigeria’s history and we were concerned we were going to be totally lost but it was clearly laid out and I think we have gained a lot of perspective and a lot of history on the country.

Mark– We went to the national museum. The thing that made the best impression on me was the tour centre guide, who was leading children but he allowed us to join them. He was very passionate about making sure we understood a bit of the history, the masks and artwork. He had many great stories.

Beth– We climbed the Olumo rock in Abeokuta. That gave us a chance to see some of the countryside.

Mark – Definitely visiting Ini and Yemisi (The Akpans) at the camp ground. Visiting people’s homes has been the highlight. Being able to see how people live and where they have their families was great.

Beth – Visiting Redemption Camp Ground was wow.

Mark – While we were at the camp, we went to a house that has been turned into a prayer house museum (Open Heavens). I was particularly interested in the different countries that have hosted this event (Holy Ghost Service) all over the world including the US. That was something.

We went to Terra-culture to see a play titled, Our Son the Minister. We enjoyed stage play and it was interesting to watch a Nigerian stage play.

We have had a chance to be a part of worship here in NewSprings and that has been such an encouragement. The whole heart of worship is just great.

Q4. You must tried our Nigerian food.  Do you have any favourite Nigerian dish?

Mark – Pounded yam with Efo Riro (Vegetable soup). The goat pepper soup was very good. Definitely, groundnut and bananas are good. Pretty much everything is been very good.

Beth – I have to say, I didn’t like the snails.

Q5. Did you learn any Nigerian words?

Beth– Regularly, we have been using Ose (Thank you in Yoruba); simple and practical.

Q6. What has blessed you on this trip so far?

Beth – The immense overwhelming generous hospitality.

Mark – The lavish hospitality in every dimension.

Beth – Mo wanted to make us Nigerian traditional outfits, and someone offered to pay for it. In the morning, while dressing, it was simply wonderful, having a team of three people coming to help out with the head gear.

Mark – I think also time. A lot of the couples take time of work to take us travelling, that also speaks to me that it’s not only well meaning but well doing.

Beth – Segun, who is such a servant, constantly lending his car or driving his car for us and getting nothing out of it all. Sometimes, he would take an hour or two to drop us at a place and he would never get to enjoy the destination. The hospitality has been lavish.

Q7. You have been married for twenty eight years. What has been the secret of the success of your marriage?

Mark and Beth – Jesus!

Beth – I don’t know how people do marriage without Jesus frankly. We could look back at years that probably could have totally ruined somebody else’s marriage,  who didn’t have, not just a personal relationship with God, but being in a community of believers where we are encouraged, where we were counselled, and where we were supported through whatever we were going through and not having to pretend.

Mark – In addition to faith, it is having a good support system of friends, some men that are supporting me, and who I can talk to honestly and help me to be a better husband. Also, being committed to our home fellowship; smaller groups so we can reach other regularly.

Something unusual that we did in the first 10 years of our marriage was there was no television at all. When we got married we were counseled that for the first year we should not have a television, so we don’t become distracted but have time for each other. After the first year, we didn’t miss it. We actually enjoyed spending time with each other. We have many shared interests.

Q8. Do you have any advice for Christian singles?

Mark – I would underline the importance of friendship, not just friendship with men and women, but friendship with men and men and women and women. Focus on developing friendship and really focus on continuing your walk with God. I know that many young people put their faith on hold while trying to find a mate and I would say you don’t want to do that. You have to keep walking with God. It is fine to date but many people compromise their faith and then marry someone who they shouldn’t be dating.

Q9. Do you have any words of wisdom for us as Christians?

Mark – Have some place where you can be honest about your feelings. Being in church, it is very easy to be worried about the outward appearance meanwhile your inner life is not aligned with the outward appearance.

Beth – There is a need for a Christian community and a place where the secret can be told and it stops right there. No one would be judgmental but there would be lots of listening and encouragement.

Mark – Another thing I would add is, make sure you have a father, a brother and a son. A spiritual father who can mentor you, a spiritual brother you are walking and growing together with and a spiritual child you are helping to get more mature in the faith.