Angels Among Us

Yesterday afternoon I met an angel. We met on what for me is hallowed ground, by a table laid out with a sumptuous buffet – yes, for me food is sacred. At the point that I met her, I was back at the buffet having seconds, but not of the meats, salads, or sweets, but a second helping of fruit, especially the pineapple. I said to her that I could never get enough pineapple, which I told her is a natural antibiotic. Probably most people would think that I’m weird to hear me talk so enthusiastically about pineapple (and all the other natural stuff that I espouse), but without missing a beat, this lady replied that she believed me that pineapple most likely has antibiotic properties and moreover, she could tell that I took good care of myself and that I was a very good person.

We got to talking some more. I liked her so much because she saw the good in me. I say she is an angel, not because of the many compliments she gave me, but because she was a messenger sent from God. She helped me to understand that there is good and there is evil and that I should extricate myself from whatever or whoever is causing the bright smile to evaporate when I sort of let on that there was something/someone negative in my life. She could read me like a book when she saw how my face lit up when I talked about the adored son of my heart. God sent me a message through this woman.

She had a beautiful pen that I admired. She reached into her bag and took out another pen just like it, except this one was a different color. She gave it to me. On the clip of the pens is an angel. An angel! She said something about angels, which I’m not sure that I got right, something about angels not being hers to give or that we can’t give angels.

I have never given much thought to living angels among us, as I wholeheartedly believe in guardian angels of ancestors and loved ones who have passed into glory. I have many guardian angels, the principal one being, in my mind, my great grandfather who died in 1921 in Cuba. I feel a very special bond with him. Another angel is my beloved Zabrina who passed into glory 17 years ago at the young age of 18. Funny thing is, she makes her presence known to me! Yes, I love my guardian angels. I know that folks will say I have this wrong because people do not become angels when they die, as an angel is a purely spiritual being. Anyway, I know that I have guardian angels looking over me, and don’t anyone burst my bubble by telling me that these angels are not my loved ones.

Angels, angels everywhere, giving us messages from God. My ears are attentive; my eyes are wide open. I am going to be more receptive to the angels I come across on a daily basis. I thank God for all angels sent my way. I pray that I am able to spread a message of love and be one of the angels in the midst. I let go and let God.

Levi John Mango

With Levi John, the Mango Man

This is a fun video; please share it with your friends. It has beautiful scenes of lovely Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands. It was filmed mainly at Spring Bay, a little paradise all its own. I am pleased to appear in the video, all natural, without makeup -- and I've been a member of AARP for more than a decade! I also was behind the camera filming the scenes of Levi.

Mangoes are plentiful in the Virgin Islands. Mangoes are delicious and nutritious. Mangoes have a sensuality all of their own that is captured, quite innocently, in this video.

It was suggested by a viewer of this video that she thinks that the fruit which Eve gave to Adam to eat was a mango. Now, that is food for thought!

Enjoy the video! Enjoy your mangoes!

--Yvonne O'Neal

Gossip, Nigeria Style

Move over National Enquirer! Make way for News of the People! The headline grabbed my attention: Gov. OSHIOMOLE On Sex Rampage - Prostitute Faints Under Him. Directly under it it read: REVEALED! How Prophet OBADARE Rose From The Dead After 4 Days. Says, "I saw Late Pastor BIMBO ODUKOYA In Hell". This stuff is juicy! I can't get enough of the Nigerian gossip papers.

I found out that above mentioned Prophet Obadare is in the United States right now. Poor Pastor Bimbo Odukoya, when the prophet asked her what she was doing in such a place, she replied: "this is where I am o, they say it is my dressing, my mini skirts, by hairdos and my lifestyle, that is what has landed me here o. please if you can go back tell my people so they can save themselves o."(!!!)

As for the governor, he is known to work hard for the people of Edo State, but apparently has a "penchant for adultery, especially as it concerns young women, often underaged girls most of the time." The article goes on to say that " the governor, made another show of might but this time with one of his numerous skirt-chasing runs when he pounced on a commercial sex worker in what could be described as a sex voyage that lasted several hours until the lady finally succumbed fainted. . . (he) had to use his super statesmanship to arrange for how the lady would be revived. Of course, he did win the battle by bringing the lady back to life."

News about showbiz personalities here is much, much juicier than what we read about our personalities in the U. S. Another headline article about a gorgeous actress reads, I Have Younger Lover And So What? Right on, Ms. Shan George Fumes! There's news about how the lovely Oge Okoye beat up her make up artiste, when she was not pleased with the make-up job, and gave the girl "the beating of her life." Another Nollywood actress narrowly escaped return to prison!

This edition of News of the People did carry a very serious article, The Miraculous Fruit That Cures Cancer Found -- It is called Guyabano, The Soursop Fruit. This one piqued my interest, because I love soursop and have not had any in a while, but I love soursop ice cream and soursop drink, plus I love tea brewed from soursop leaves. I immediately searched the Internet and found many articles attesting to the curative powers of soursop. The big pharmaceuticals do not want it known how good soursop is in curing cancer. They tried to make a synthetic version and could not. I have been hearing that the cure for cancer has been found, but the government won't tell us because the big money making companies that make zillions killing people with chemotherapy and radiation therapy stand to lose this lucrative market. It is better that people should die than corporate America not make gazillions. I say, let's get the real scoop on the natural plants that can cure disease. Let's have the real scoop on soursop. Let's eat more natural and healthy!

MDGs At Work in Lagos West

On Tuesday, 17th November 2009, the Anglican Diocese of Lagos West dedicated its new hospital, DWL Medical Center. This is a hospital for women and children (though men will be served on an outpatient basis and in emergencies). This medical facility, in accordance with the specifications of the World Health Organization, will help to reduce child mortality (MDG Goal 3) and improve maternal health (MDG Goal 4), among other goals. The hospital is located in Agege, a densely populated and economically challenged area. The hospital has provided employment for over sixty persons in the area.

True to Anglican tradition, this hospital will serve all people, regardless of religious affiliation, who enter its doors. In terms of delivering medical care, the goals of the Diocese of Lagos West is to upgrade the 23 clinics operating in the Archdeaconaries into primary and secondary healthcare centers and be fully integrated into a hospital complex.

DLW Medical Centre provides a wide array of services and has the most modern medical equipment purchased from around the world. Some of the equipment is here, some is still on its way. In addition to modern medical equipment, there are full laboratory services in haematology, serology, biochemistry, microbiology and parasitology.

The hospital building is attractive and inviting. The building has been remodelled out of an existing hospital which the Diocese was able to purchase, and in negotiating the price, was able to save a few million nairas. The hospital has 24 beds, a birthing center, a neonatal ward, and an operating theater. Because of the nature of electrical service in Nigeria, the hospital has two stand-by diesel generators to make sure that it has electricity at all times.

One thing that the hospital has yet to acquire is an ambulance. Bishop Adebiyi wants the most modern equipped vehicle, like one he saw in Israel, which he termed a "mini hospital" contained within it. The ambulance is projected to be in place by next February. The Bishop is hoping that somebody or corporation will come forward and donate the ambulance. I'm sure this is a big possibility! Then there is the Good Samaritan Initiative of the Hospital, where one can pledge an annual amount to support the hospital so that it can provide services to all who seek them even if they cannot pay. There are three categories: Gold ₦100,000, Silver ₦50,000, Bronze ₦25,000. Bishop Adebiyi led by example by being the first to sign up for the Gold level. In a matter of minutes there were more Gold members as well as some Silver and Bronze members. Further details on the Diocese of Lagos West Samaritan Fund can be had by emailing dlwmedicalcentre@gmail.com, or by contacting the diocesan offices.

As the hospital brochure says, Without a doubt, the health of mothers and children is a key to solving wider economic, social and developmental challenges especially in a country like Nigeria. 'Mothers and children are the foundation of families, communities and societies. When a mother or child dies, that foundation crumbles. If we want to improve the health of future generations, we must start with the health of mothers and children today.'

A visionary diocese, The Diocese of Lagos West. Congratulations on your Tenth Anniversary with all God's blessings!

Church Growth in Lagos West

In less than ten years of existance the Diocese of Lagos West has created two new dioceses -- where there was one, there are now three. There are plans for more dioceses, as the archdeaconaries expand with more and more people to minister to.


I attended confirmation this morning with Bishop Adebiyi in Iba Archdeaconry. Held at the Church of the Epiphany, 110 ten persons were confirmed. One man was in his seventies, two were in their sixties, and a few were over 20, but by far, most were of "normal" confirmation age. Everybody was dressed in white; the females sat on one side of the church and the males on the other. First up were the females, including three pregnant women.


Bishop Adebiyi confirms an average of 7,000 each year! The Diocese of Lagos West has half a million registered members, but there are more -- it's hard to keep count. This is a "rural" diocese in Lagos State. It is probably the most progressive in the Province of Nigeria. It is blessed with many riches, including financially.

The confirmation service was a lively one. All the confirmands looked stunning dressed in white. The females sat on one side of the church, the males on the other. The Bishop's message was quite interactive and positive. (The services here are peppered with many "Amens." In the name of the Father -Amen - in the name of the son -Amen - in the name of the Holy Spirit - Amen -.) He exhorted them to be firm in their life in Christ, praying regularly, and to do good works. He reminded the confirmands that they are "Christians by faith, Anglicans by choice." Wherever they go in the world, they will be part of the Anglican family. A family that I am proud to be a part of and privileged to visit in many places on the globe. I always feel at home.

The people in Lagos West are certainly making me feel at home. I marvel at how courteous everyone is. Manners, as I remember them growing up in the British Virgin Islands, where, sadly manners is no longer a part of the day to day routine. But here, people acknowledge their elders and their superiors by curtsying. Some might say it is submissive, but I find it endearing. "Good morning" and "good day" greetings are the norm rather than the exception.

Church growth. The young people are coming to church in droves. The numbers in the pews are expanding. People love their church. They give generously. I am on my way to a memorial service for one of the departed saints of this Diocese who gave many million nairas to her beloved church.

Church growth. I am trying to decipher the secret.

At Home in Nigeria

A descendent of slaves in the West Indies, I feel a special kinship to Nigerians. I am convinced that my ancestors came from this area of Africa, but I will do the testing to ascertain that this is so. At any rate, I arrived in Lagos this morning, and I feel that I arrived home. I am here at the invitation of the Diocese of Lagos West for their tenth anniversary celebration.

I attended the dedication of the new St. John's Anglican Church, Iju-Ishaga. The Rt. Revd. Dr. Peter Awelewa Adebiyi presided at the service. He acknowledged my presence at the beginning of his sermon, and I felt very special, but more importantly, I felt the welcoming love of all present. I am truly at home in Nigeria!

The service lasted three hours! In and out of my dozing off, I can say it was a lively service. It was joyful -- you don't notice how long it is going on because it keeps you riveted. I sang and I danced. There were four occasions to give offerings, and the people came forward with joy and gladness. The Anglican Church is growing in Nigeria, in a country where they compete with Islam. More and more churches are being planted, more dioceses are being created. They are ministering to the sick, the friendless, and the needy. Even though women are not ordained here, I see that they are empowering women in other ways. In time, I'm sure that women will be ordained -- then the church will really explode, as women are known to make things happen.

The Diocese of Lagos West is about to dedicate a hospital for women and children. Though they have operated clinics in many neighbourhoods, this is the first hospital, I understand. As I learn more, there will be further commentary.

I am grateful to my sister Olajumoke Akinkoye for her love and friendship that made this trip to Mother Africa possible. Blessings to her, her family, and the people of the Diocese of Lagos West.