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How we met 26 years ago in NYSC Cross River State

 



My name is Mrs Funmi Fabunmi. I met my husband during my service year in 1995. Though we weren’t in the same NYSC batch, we both served in Abakpa Town, Ogoja LGA, Cross River State, and were active in NCCF. He was, the "Papa" (Coordinator) of the fellowship & was deeply committed to God.

Before camp, I was engaged, and my room was adorned with my fiancé’s pictures. However, during a morning devotion, I heard God tell me I had chosen my fiancé without His approval. Following God’s leading, I ended the engagement, removed the pictures and returned the ring.

Dr. Tom visited my room one day and noticed the changes. When I shared my encounter, he encouraged me, commended my courage, & prayed for me. After his passing out parade (POP), he returned to Lagos, but our paths crossed again. He sent a book to Ogoja for a nurse at the Hospital he served via a brother. When I received it, I heard God say, “That is your husband.” Confused and shocked, I prayed for confirmation, asking for transportation to and from the hospital, which was very far from town.

As I stepped out, a car stopped to give me a ride. The driver turned out to be a pharmacist at the hospital. This and other confirmations strengthened my belief in God’s plan. However, at that time, he hadn’t expressed any intentions. 

We both attended Living Faith Church which was new in Ogoja then and were passionate for the work of the Lord by bringing corps members to the church.

In Lagos, he declared his intentions to one of our pastors and later visited me to formalize his proposal. That evening, I heard God say to me that he had unresolved ties with another lady, which he acknowledged but clarified were disapproved by his pastor. With prayers and guidance from my pastor, we got engaged.

After my POP, we reunited in Lagos, started our courtship in 1997 and married on October 26, 1998. It's been 26 years of grace and bliss and today, God has blessed us with four daughters, two of whom are medical doctors. 

I hold a degree in Religious Studies from the University of Ibadan while Dr. Thomas, an Osun State native, is a Medical Laboratory Scientist from UNILAG & later studied Medicine in Ukraine.

#CorpersDiary_NG

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