Femi Lazarus was suicidal during a preaching trip when he sought out a stranger named Emmanuel. Emmanuel placed his hand on Femi's shoulders, called him by name, and described his life and past attempts. The encounter shifted everything, leaving Femi desperate to stay close to him.
Chapters
I've shared my story with you. I wanted to commit suicide, but I wanted to kill myself, um, in the place of preaching. So I just wanted my life to end, and I wanted it to end gloriously. So I went somewhere to preach with my friend, and we looked for a strange-looking man, at least someone there that was radical enough to get the job done. And I found one who looked radical enough. I mean, the trouser was not obeying gravity. And I finished preaching in a very angry way, and all he did was place his right hand on my shoulders and call me by my name. Femi, I know why you came. The Hausa-looking guy now speaks fluent English. And when those hands touched my shoulders, I fell. And he narrated my life from beginning and all my attempts. I was shaking like a leaf. I remember asking him, please, if I can get your phone number so I can call you. I just need to be around someone like you. He looked at his friend that they were standing together and smiled. I said, we don't use phones. Okay, sir, please, what's your name so I can know what to call you when next I see you? He looked at the phone and smiled. So you can call me Emmanuel. Okay, Mr. Emmanuel, where do you live? Give me the address of a church. I went to confirm that. There are times that our activities are interrupted so we can be right in the middle of God's will.