Life growing up in a rural area was interesting. My community was like a family. We all looked after each other. Everyone knew everyone and regardless of our differences, we all shared mutual love and respect.
I cherished those moments! Moments when my brothers and I played football and made objects from the trash. Those were special times!
Born in Kaduna(Northern Nigeria), Meshack Ishaya Magaji(MIM) is the last born of three boys. He is a humble man with a great personality. He is the Pastor in charge of All Christian Fellowship(ACF), a campus fellowship in Lefke(Northern Cyprus). MIM is currently pursuing his doctorate(PhD) in electrical electronic engineering. In this episode, we walk down memory lane, dug out valuable life lessons and experiences worth sharing. Keep reading!
Life Growing Up
My dad had this motorbike which he used to drop us at school. This was the normal routine until he was transferred to another state. This meant no more rides to school. The only option was to walk. Not to exaggerate but the distance from my house to school was 2km. It wasn’t funny! From Mondays to Fridays, it was a journey of a thousand miles🤣
By the time I walked from home and reached the school gate, all the breakfast(which was mostly leftover swallow and soup) in my system was already used up. Garri with sugar was what my brothers and I took to school. During the first lunch break, my bros and I would meet, soak the garri and consume it. I remember this other time when my elder brother was reluctant to join. He was acting bougie. Ahh for us, we went ahead and enjoyed our garri. During the second lunch break, he came to my class asking for the garri. Something we have finished eating since🤣
Honestly, it wasn’t easy and we had to manage what was available and still work hard in school. Personally, I wasn’t doing well academically. There were a lot of contributing factors including my health. I was always falling ill and this affected my grades drastically. I was not even an average student, I was always among the last three in class. It got to a point where my mum stopped asking about my position in class, she would ask if I was promoted to the next class or not.
Regardless of my bad grades, it was always shocking to me how I was selected for leadership roles. I was made the deputy head boy of my school and honestly, that marked the turning point for me. By the end of primary school, my grades started rising. Out of 46 students, I was in 8th position in my leaving school certificate and made it to boarding school. Was boarding school easy? Nope! It wasn’t but I was determined to work hard and graduate.
Timidity was a big issue for me. I was this very shy person that couldn't hold a conversation.I couldn't even talk to the opposite gender.This was a very big personal struggle.
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The Journey To Cyprus
The initial plan was for me to do my undergraduate in Nigeria then join my brothers in Cyprus for my Masters. I applied for a polytechnic school but I wasn’t shortlisted. The second option was to apply for my federal university(Ahmadu Bello University Zaria) but I didn’t meet the cut off mark. Miraculously I was shortlisted and asked to come for my admission letter.
But there was an issue. I wanted to study mechanical engineering and since I didn’t meet the marks, I was offered a social science course. I didn’t want that course so my elder brothers suggested that I come to join them in Cyprus. We started working on the process and it was successful. For the first time in my life, I was travelling out of the northern region of Nigeria. It was so exciting.
16th of March,2009 I arrived in Cyprus. This was the beginning of an ongoing journey.
MIM’S Challenges In Cyprus
I was very much aware of the challenges awaiting me. I knew that there were no resources back home so I had to fend for myself. Questions like”where will my next fees come from? What’s there to eat? How will we pay our rent etc kept rising and it was worrying me. I spent most of my time in the library striving for good grades. This was to enable me to get an academic scholarship. My social life was none existence! Apart from being timid, I just couldn’t afford to go to parties. My aim was to get my degree and make my parents proud.
My faith in God kept me going.I knew no matter how big the problem was,He is able to solve it.I used my challenges to build good character.
No matter who you are and what you are going through,build value.Have a value system,it’s very important
MIM
Answering The Call
Never in my life would I have thought that I would lead people. Remember I made mention of how shy I was. I couldn’t talk among my peers not to talk of a congregation. I took God very seriously and that’s for sure but I was that type to zoom off after church just to avoid conversation.
When I was asked to join the ACF workforce I was reluctant. In my mind, I was like”these people don’t know what’s going on.” I was in a place where my only focus was to complete my degree. I told them to give me some time to think about it. After a while, I decided to join the workforce where I served diligently. As the years went by I noticed some drastic changes. I was no longer shy and my knowledge of God increased.
In 2012, those in leadership positions graduated and passed the baton to me. I was asked to take over and continue from where they stopped. That’s how I got into ministry.
Ministry to me is what I've been called to do by the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.It's about service to God and mankind.
Was it easy leading a fellowship? Nope, it wasn’t. I encountered a lot of challenges. Balancing my school workload, side jobs with the ministry was tough. I had to cut down on some activities(eg. I stopped playing football) and utilise my time wisely.
MIM’s Inspiration and Life Lesson
The spirit of God is my Inspiration. Outside of the Holy Spirit, my biggest inspiration is my family. They groomed and brought me up in the ways of the lord and loved me dearly.
I see myself as a donor having something to give my generation.I know I have been called to feed and provide so, I try not to have the recipent mindsent always wanting to receive and not give.
So far so good, life has taught me the following:
- Trust God regardless of your shortcomings. Even if the “people of God” offend you,never isolate yourself from the presence of God.Your relationship is with God.
- Be humble and have the willingness to learn.Learn skills!
- Build network and invest in people.Life is designed in such a way that you can’t isolate yourself from people.
Other Things I do
Apart from being a PhD student and a minister, I am a farmer. I hope to venture into commercial farming soon. I also make footwear (MIM Footwear)and I run an educational consultancy firm(MIM Consultancy). MIM consultancy is aimed at giving students honest answers to their questions and help them secure admission to good universities.
A before and After pic of some of MIM’s handwork.
MIM’ s Final Words/Advice To Youths
I know as a youth you have so much energy and want to do a lot but, learn how to be patient. Not everything good that comes your way is healthy. Learn to say NO to some offers and strive for a good name. Bible says “a good name is better than riches” Have integrity!. Don’t be in a haste to make money, be patient and let God announce you
Here is a tip for youths trying to discover their purpose:
- Know that purpose is not just a destination.It’s a lifelong journey.Don’t be so focus on the destination that you miss the process.The destination is simple a sumation of all the processes
- Seeking God is key to knowing your purpose
- Be concious of what the Holy Spirit communicates to you
- Pay attention to yourself.What are those things you do which are not against God’s will and harms no one but gives you great fulfilment.In your passion also lies your purpose.
Wow!! Inspiring, more grace to you sir.
Great write up mickeygblogs.com, more blessings, skills, wisdom, understanding, revelation and divine favor.
PROVERBS 22:29
Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.
Amen