Turning Fifty: Martha’s Trial and Triumph of Faith

Apostle Madubuko praying for Capt & Mrs Najomo

Martha Najomo’s fiftieth birthday event went down more like celebrating triumph over trials - a testimony in a way. There was a big bash, but thanksgiving to God in form of a church service came first. This is very symbolic, reflective of her way of life and the ‘rightest’ thing to do – putting God first, telling the world who she serves and the source of her being. And why not? Apostle Anselm Madubuko summed it up: “The Lord was there (with Martha) when friends were gone.” Also true, still, which should not be lost, is that not many ‘friends’ were at the thanksgiving compared to the multitude that graced the lavish party proper. Both events held at the prestigious Civic Centre, Ozumba Mbadiwe, Victoria Island. The service was at the serene lagoon side of the venue with the gentle harmattan evening breeze from over the water refreshingly soothing the thankful worshippers. The main hall accommodated the over one thousand guests, with excess good food, wine, music, entertainment and fun.

Mrs. Najomo has always cherished the presence of God whom she has seriously staked her life with in adversity and in prosperity, growing up a Christian and loving Jesus since childhood. But once upon a season, sometime in 2010, when Martha decided to go full trotle with The I Am That I Am, the devil opened up his floodgates of trials. At the end, Martha triumphed through God and came out stronger and better. This fiftieth birthday event therefore became an avenue to say to God: when the enemy came like a flood you alone raised a standard. And to the devil: I will forever be on God’s side. 

 The party hall
Not many people who pass through her ordeal would still be standing strong.  It was indeed a test of faith. Narrating her testimony, she said, “In August last year, my sister came to me that she wants to take her daughter from my house and so they went. Each time I called the girl was crying to come back to me. She had became so used to me that she calls her mother, Aunty, and she calls me, her aunt, Mummy. On a Friday I went and brought her back to live in my house. On Saturday she died in my swimming pool.

“When they called to tell me, I called Apostle Anselm. I said ‘Daddy, where are you? I am dead!’ he said ‘Martha, I am in Abuja.’ I called Jide Oredugba, I called Pastor Sope, Evangelist Earnest to come and pray with me. I was a completely confused person. What was I going to explain to my sister and her husband? The men of God came and prayed for several hours. The child did not wake up. After the child’s death many evil stories started flying against me. That period I cried my eyes out. Many people were coming to find what to paddle, pretending to be sympathizers. One day a dear friend called me and said: Do not let anybody came and sympathize with you again. Shut your door. Jide said to me: This is not the time to cry but to face God.

“The real testimony is this: while everybody was praying, I said to God, “Father this is your battle.” I told my sister that the difference between this girl that died and the one you will have will be their birthdays. She said, “Sister I am almost forty. “It took me six years to conceive for that girl”. I told her it will take six months. Friends were suggesting to me that we should go and do IVF. But I told God, “You are the greatest doctor. You will do this IVF yourself and the money will come to you. IVF is expensive and it will even take you to make it work. I can assure you that God is here (in Revival Assembly). It took only prayers and a vow to God for my sister to have another baby.

 “God does not lie. I was lying down in my living room, and I saw a little girl walk upstairs. And I told my sister that she was not just going to have a baby, she will have a girl. My faith was unshakeable. By the tenth week no doctor saw anything in her womb. Some trusted friends joined faith with me and we kept praying, and believing God. One day, I heard from God. He said: Martha thanks me for this pregnancy because it is settled. I went to my sister’s room and told her what God said. By this time it was already thirteen weeks. After God said we should thank Him my sister went to do, another scan, and behold the fetus was there. Hallelujah!”