from the 60's!). I told her that I didn't need her help, just wanted to inform her that she was going to be my wife! She looked at me as if she despised me, but later because of my persistence, she finally invited me to her church.  The way they were worshipping was like some "crazy fools", and that insulted me! Still, I didn't realized at first that I needed to be baptized in the name of Jesus, which I had done later at another church.  The truth pricked my heart and caused a lifting of weight when I turned and got baptized in the Name of Jesus.  There was a big amount of weight and guilt that left my shoulders.  I felt so much joy.
I was still going to the catholic church; I didn't want to let go, yet Ruthann would call me every Sunday to go to church to be saved.  I would go to my church in the morning and set in the back of hers just to make her HAPPY! We became friends, but she had very STRICT STANDARDS. When I proposed to her in December '83, she refused because I didn't have the Holy Ghost. I went to her pastor for an ally, but he wouldn't marry us because I didn't have the Holy Ghost.  Later, I wept before the Lord and asked HIM, "Fill me with the Holy Ghost not because I wanted to marry Ruthann, but as a sign that YOU love me."  In my prayers later, I would come so close to getting it, but still I remained without HIS spirit. The Pastor's wife, Sis. Richardson (from Ruthann's church) encouraged me to come on Tarrying Night that following Monday (for those wanting the Holy Ghost); but I was very tired after coming in from classes and wanted to make a excuse not to go. I intentionally waited until it was very late; but something very remarkable happened when I called the church. The phone rung and I was thinking that I was freed from this ordeal when Sis. Richardson somehow, miraculously climbed the stairs from the Upper Room on the third floor all the way down to the basement on the first floor to answer the phone! There was nothing for me to do on that April 1^st day but GO!

After about 5 minutes, I heard the voice of the Lord say, "Welcome home, my son, then I was filled with the Holy Ghost.    I don't have words to describe.  I saw Jesus opening his arms and wrapping me inside.  I spoke a different language I never had it before.  I knew I was expressing my deep gratitude.  Such an exuberant joy and uncontained excitement was all over me.  I was all over the church jumping, screaming and crying for the acceptance of Jesus Christ and revealing to me the truth.  I don't have words to describe.  The Lord took me from one party to another one in the spirit. Now instead of being the big man at the party, my God has asked me to be in the forefront of leading HIS people in worshipping and praising HIM!

In July '85, I married my wife and at 2:45 P. M., I kissed the bride!  My parents, of course, did not approve of my marrying an American, but other member of my family vouched for her and told them that by the sober and respectable way she had of conducting herself, (which is the Pentecostal standard for its women. DG) she could be Igbo!

As the eldest son, I stand to assume the chiefdom of my tribe after my father. I now have a greater opportunity and a greater peace to assume this position when the time comes.