A symbolic message of Jeremiah 49:11 exhorts widows to trust in God’s promise of care and provisions at all times.
In all seasons, God uses men to reach out to those in dire need of assistance and one of such men is Prophet Joseph Igbodo, the General Overseer of Divine Faith Mission International.
For the clergyman, in the person of Prophet Igbodo, God instructed him to give a sense of belonging to widows with a building project in Abavo in Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State.
The building project which started on July 12, 2023, was completed within a space of one year. The 500-capacity auditorium, with kitchen and other apartments, is purposed as a central venue for the widows to meet regularly for prayers and sharing of God’s word, as well as serve as an accessible point to their benefactor.
“As widows, people hardly have need to associate with us, but we have found a father and a helper in the person of Prophet Joseph Igbodo”, one of them said. Aside encouraging them with the word of God and prayers, on a monthly basis in the last 10 years, he has constantly visited the widows with food items, beverages, among sundry items. These were confirmed by those who spoke while eulogizing the vessel of God.
It was said that their lot has greatly improved since they came in contact with the cleric. For Mrs. Lucy Etuonu, the Abavo Windows Forum Coordinator, she exultantly said that “our daddy has been a blessing to us since we met him. God has been using him to take care of us. We have lots of testimonies since we met him and it is our prayer is that God will continue to keep him and bless him in his chosen path”. Similarly, Mrs. Christiana Okonta, said in an appreciative tone, “we are really grateful for what God is doing through our daddy and our earnest prayer is that God will continue to bless him and his family.”
Prior to this cheery development, Prophet Igbodo had long acquired a reputation for giving succour to the less privileged, especially widows and orphans through the platform of Job Orphanage and St. Stephen’s Trust Widows Home which he established some years ago. Prophet Igbodo justified the building project as a desire and in fulfillment of God’s calling to boost the morale as well as bring succour to the widows, as he added that catering for the less-privileged in the society was an instruction from God Almighty. He threw light on the essential quality of widows he has interacted with over the years and described them as worthy individuals despite their circumstances.
“There is one other thing I discovered about the widows; they are not just ordinary but also hardworking and very dedicated to the things of God”, he said.
“When God builds a house for His people, you must know that such is a house of prayers. In this house, God will hear you, answer your prayers and heal you. This is a house of repentance and you will experience the hand of God in this house. I want to assure you that God will never disappoint you people” he said.
Igbode however advised widows to put their trust in God and urged them to “let God be your husband and the father of your children. ‘God is giving you a brand new name. God will never forget you and your children.” While he advised them to always pray for Abavo community as well as the body of Christ, he manifested his usual generosity by distributing food items to the widows who were highly grateful for the gesture.
Widows who thronged the venue to welcome the prophet were over-joyed as they sang, danced and praised God for raising a caring servant who has given them a reason to live in the midst of difficulties.
A pertinent question however arises at this juncture: “Do we still have people like Prophet Igbodo in the society today who go out of their way and comfort zones to lift widows and the orphans from the depth of hopelessness? To a large extent, widows and orphans hardly get the needed attention and recognition in our society today because of the gradual displacement of the African communal lifestyle by the Western individualistic pattern and the irregular and scanty form of assistance.
Prophet Joseph Igbodo, General Overseer of Divine Faith Evangelical Mission International, recently donated food items to no fewer than 600 widows in Delta communities. The beneficiaries of the food items were from Abavo, Owa-Oyibu, Umunede and Idumuesah in Ika South and Ika North-East local government areas respectively. Items distributed were bags of rice, noodles, biscuits, cheese balls, soft drinks and soaps.
In his remarks, Igbodo said the gesture was part of his ministry’s move to help the needy, orphans, destitute, widows and less privileged in the society. He said distribution of the food items would go a long way in ameliorating the impact of the economic hardships being witnessed in the country.The cleric urged widows to continue trusting God for a better Nigeria.
“When one doesn’t acknowledge God’s supremacy, such a fellow is doomed. God is the creator of all things and we owe Him our appreciation. “Trust in Him, follow Him with all your heart,” he said. Igbodo, thereafter led the windows in prayers for the state and the nation at large. Prophet Igbodo at Umunede again, donated food items to 300 widows. The well-known philanthropist and General Overseer of Divine Faith Evangelical Mission International, also known as, Deliverance Ministry, Prophet Joseph Igbodo also donated free food items to over 300 widows at Umunede in Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta State, which according to him is to bring them relief at a time of economic hardship prevalent in the country. The Prophet of God who doubles as proprietor of Job Orphanage and St. Stephen’s Trust Widows Home, also in Agbor, visited the widows to distribute cartons of noodles, biscuits, packs of Bigi Orange drink, packets of detergent, rolls of cheese ball and other items. During the visit, Prophet Igbodo said “we are here to appreciate God. This is where God dwells. God is ready to do a new thing in your life today. I’m glad to identify with you today”.
“God cannot fail. Anything you want to become in life is in God’s hands. You are here to regain your mandate. God can transform anybody. God can change any situation. God is interested in your transformation and restoration. Come to God the way you are and He will work on you. Put everything before God. If you don’t know God, there is no security. This makes you to pray well for yourself and children”.
“When there is forgiveness, a new life is possible. Please, serve God whole-heartedly. Jesus doesn’t come for the righteous. When God begins to bless you, your life will be at peace because the blessing of God bring peace and comfort”. To support the widows in cash, please pay into Acct no: 1312768770 Zenith Bank, Saint Stephen’s Trust Widows Home. The highpoints of the visit included the widows subsequent songs of praise to God and fervent prayers led by Prophet Igbodo.
