Eric's Beijing Diary

I went to the airport last night to say "goodbye" to Smith, my homeless African friend. He handed me a folded piece of notebook paper on which he had written his story:My name is Khalied Momodu, born into a Muslim family from Nigeria, West Africa. I became a born again Christian in the year 2004. After the death of my dad, I realized that I had nothing left in the world, 'cause the death of my dad triggered a lot of pains in my life and left an indelible mark in my life. My dad was my demigod due to the affection and great love he showed to me. My life was a mirage and I was highly devastated.

During that period people came from various places to console my family. I met a pastor by the name of James Akuruyejo. He told me about Christ and coming to the church--that it was very important for me to come to the church. At that crucial moment I was trying to gain some momentum of what he said. When I realized it was for me to be a Christian, I became very hostile to him.

In addition, he left quietly and came back the third day to repeat the message of Christ to me, I grew angry and wasn't prepared for any conversation from him. Before he left he gave me a handbill that he has a revival at his church, urging me to come. When he left, I was making a mockery of him, suddenly a spirit inside of my urged me to go and see for myself. I said to myself I will be there, but am never going to be a Christian 'cause I am contented been a Muslim.

When I got to the revival it was amazing. I found myself praying with zeal and my spirit was full of life. After that moment I got arrested and glued to coming to the church by the Holy Spirit. Within the shortest period of two months at the church, I found myself doing things other members of the church had not done. I was the most outstanding of the members all. Ever since that moment the Holy Spirit has changed my life by ministering to me through various ways. I finished from the University in the year 2004. I was jobless for three years. I decided to travel to China with the hope of getting the "golden fleece."

Moreover I came to China and had to travel out of China for my visa to be extended. Coming back to China, my finances and luggage were stolen. That was the most traumatic moment of my life. I was confused, hopeless, and completely stranded. Fortunately for me I met an American by name Eric, who took me to the international church called the "River of Grace." Ever since I met Eric my whole life changed. We read the Bible together and prayed. We was really helped me financially and morally.

Moreover he kept on urging me to trust in God. At that moment I was depressed and overwhelmed by thoughts of getting myself out of China due to my overstay in China and how to pay a fine of 5000 RMB and buy a ticket for my traveling out of China. I needed up to 13,000 RMB. That's about 1,700 US dollars. I was discouraged from going to the River of Grace Church 'cause people I met said it's a small church and can't afford to help me out. I was amazed within the period of two months of attending the church, God has used the church to meet my needs financially and the church has been able to add to me spiritually.

Later, I met one of those who told me not to go to the River of Grace. Indeed he was flabbergasted and said the church is not the River of Grace but the Ocean of Grace. God really has drenched me into his sufficient grace. I am leaving for Singapore on the 18th of February. I was overwhelmed by the unity I found in the midst of the members irrespective of their race. To me, being a Christian is not the ultimate, but living a Christ life on earth. I will use this medium in thanking those that stood by me during my traumatic experience in China. Firstly, I thank the Lord. Great things He has done. I thank Eric Langager, Pastor Jordan and Sonya Tetley, Thomas Hoopes, Robert Brownell, Iryna Duldya, Stephanus Kurniawan and Steve. Thanks for been there for me and not forgetting other Christian brothers and Pastors who stood firmly for me in Nigeria--Pastor James Akuryyejo, Pastor Adejare Abayo, Pastor Ajijola Adebayo, Dr. Segun Ayenimowa and Brother Wale. God bless you all. AMEN.Smith gives credit to those who have helped him, but, in fact, he deserves a good measure of credit himself. He was persistant. He never gave up. I personally think his trouble was prolonged by isolation--something I tend to feel about a lot of people. But even in his darkest moments he did not let his circumstances drive him to crime--something a number of his countrymen have done.

Sometimes the process of helping people can be complicated. But the principle is really quite simple: look for isolated people, and do the best you can to bring them into community. Sometimes it takes a little time to find the right place for someone. I had never been to the River of Grace church before I brought Smith there (I usually go to a Chinese church), but it turned out to be the right place for him. Really nice people.

Smith sent me a text message this morning from Singapore. His long ordeal in China is over. God bless you, Khalied. Go with God. And always be proud of your name.