Reminiscence… -By Chimdinma Onwuegbu

My growth in the last 2years (spent in UK) has made the 35yrs (spent in Nigeria) before it look like a joke (even though I know it isn’t).

The amount of valuable information I have been exposed to, digested and put to use has been profound.

My life has been more quiet with less contacts than when I was home but it has been much more productive.

Studying for just 1yr in UK made my 5yrs undergrad and 12months Masters in Nigeria seem like child’s play. I never understood (like I do now) the seriousness of plagiarism, the importance of independent and critical thinking nor the value of reflection in academics.
In Nigeria, our lecturers are Lord. You either do as they say or you FAIL their course. You have to follow their thought process leaving you with very little opportunity to develop yours. Here, the student is in charge. Your thought is valued and followed by the lecturer. They only guide YOU based on what YOU want to do.

I have experienced a system where I do not need to know anybody to get anything done. I do not want to start on my “Who do you know” experience back home.

I can do most things from the comfort of my home, No queues, no stress.

When they say time is money, I now understand it in practise not just in theory. Here you can plan you life down to every second and there is a 99% chance it it will go as planned.

Most importantly, I have had the priviledge of seeing Christian life from 2 prisms. Moving abroad has deepened my Christian walk.
In Nigeria, I was very busy FOR God. Today, I am very busy WITH God.
Living abroad can either deepen your God relationship or weaken it. It cannot be same.
This is because you have every reason to stop praying, studying the Word or even going to church at all.

What constitutes a bulk of our Spiritual journey in Nigeria is what WE NEED. These needs include

A Job – You dont pray for that here. There are jobs.

Money – As long as you work, you get paid. You cannot be owed for a day.

Healthcare – It is of good standard and free

Marriage – It has no stereotypes. You can walk away from your marriage without plenty noise if you feel it is no longer useful. Not much single mother stereotype or the like. You can also have a great romantic relationship as there is everything avalible to make it work if you both invest in your relationship.

Security – You can wake up by 1am and go out for a run if you so wish. Nothing to fear.

So you see, when all these are met, if your walk with God was more transactional than relational, it will die a natural death. Else, you will find more time to worship and deepen your God relationship.

I am sincerely praying that Nigeria gets better. That our systems become stronger and better so that those who worship God in Nigeria will worship him in spirit and in truth because doing that in the present day Nigeria is harder than it should be. If the system takes care of the basic needs of the people (which it ought to) then the people can be sure of where their allegiance lie.

Even if I pack my bags and come back home today, I am no longer the same person that left. For this, I will spend my birthday coming up in the next 19days giving thanks, for indeed, in different ways, I have
tasted of Gods power.

PS: I am shaa a fine girl. Full option💃💃. You cannot tell me otherwise 😁😁. God dey create🙌🙌🙌

#PositiveVibesOnly

#Reflection