“Brothers and sisters, pray for us” (1Thess 5:25)

My husband, Pastor Richmond Leigh and I have been married for almost 44 years. We got married as unbelievers and, by the grace of God we are now children of God. Our story is the testimony that grace is real and eternal life is sure. Both of us have tested that the Lord is good. Both of us have seen salvation. We are happily married giving thanks to God!

I am blessed beyond words that my husband married me. We met in the Medical School, Timisoara, Romania. He was a foreign student, trying to learn my language and to adjust to a strange culture. Both of us were very young. I was not the richest, most beautiful or intelligent woman in the campus. Why he chose to marry me is a mystery (to me) until today. But looking back, I can see that Almighty God was behind our timid steps of understanding life and learning to walk in love. We got married against much opposition. The Romanian Government at that time forbade its citizens to marry foreigners. We were persecuted in school. My parents did not understand my choice of a husband. Most of our friends rejected our marriage. But I made up my mind that I marry this man or I will die single. I fell in love with him even before I knew were Nigeria is on the map. He was learning to speak Romanian and I did not speaking English at all. We used sign language at the beginning. I made up my mind to marry him and follow him to his country. We came to Nigeria in March 1980.  We had trials and temptations. It was not always easy. But we survived and we became better, stronger and wiser. Once we surrendered our lives to Christ, everything ‘made sense’. The pain was no longer painful. The tears became worship. The rejection became ministry. Over the years we observed that all men who fought to destroy us, or our marriage, destroyed themselves at last. Glory to God!

I have never once regretted marrying this wonderful man. I know that many people are tired to hear sweet poems of love; they are angry when someone sings of hope, of romance and happiness. They focus their attention on politics, tribal wars and daily frustrations of life. I try to understand your pain and anger. I live in the same planet with you. But for me, in my little world, the light of God is shining, the grace of God is working and the love of God overflows its bounds. I am happy and I must declare it! To God be all the glory!

Let me say this: I can ‘manage’ any problem, but I could not have survived in Nigeria without the love, patience, help and guidance of my dear husband. He has blessed me as his wife, as the mother of our children, as a pastor and co-laborer with him in the Lord’s Vineyard. He covers me with prayers. He predicts my desires and goes ahead to fulfill them even before I am aware of what I need. He is my English teacher, my doctor, my lawyer and even my police. If you look in my heart, next to Jesus Christ, my Savior, you will find my husband.  He gives me the freedom to be what God wants me to be. He encourages me to stand and fulfill destiny! Today is my husband’s birthday. We do not want money, cards, cake, drinks, rice or fried chicken. We only desire your prayers. That is the best gift of all. Thank you! And God bless you in return! In Jesus name, amen!