Branded at the Airport - A Testimony of an American Publisher
Africa has come a long way.
Apart from being matured in Christ, Africa is matured in the mind.
The level of maturity Africans exhibited on the matter I'm about to discuss in this article, gave the whole world the impression that God is at work in Africa, otherwise, embassies could have been burnt, properties destroyed and lives terminated.
Maturity is good and Africa deserves to be honoured and respected for that.
When I took a retrospective look at the March edition of InterLit Magazine, a monthly foreign magazine for publishers from Cook Communications Ministries International in America, I discovered that the editors were fair and from the very beginning sued for wisdom since the topic under discussion "is a dangerous one".
Marlene LeFever was careful as she craved the indulgences of her readers bearing in mind that all her readers will not agree with the positions taken by the writers in that issue of the magazine.
But the next page after her kind words came the bomb.
Dr.
Isaac Phiri, a former director of publisher development for the Ministry was writing about ethics for publishers.
THE DRAMA: A drama unfolded at an African airport when the writer of the article went to board an aircraft enroute to Asia for a training event.
It was required by the authorities that a yellow fever vaccination card be presented so as to be allowed into Asia.
The writer had not been vaccinated and was turned back.
The doctors were not on seat, but he met a nurse who volunteered to help upon a demand.
The writer pulled out a $20 bill that spurred the nurse to fake a document.
Upon procurement of the fake yellow fever card, the writer was set on his way to Asia.
The writer in what appeared to be a confession of sin, decided to let the general public into his secret deal at the airport.
He confessed openly in a magazine, but instead of appropriately blaming his unwholesome and unpatriotic act on his lack of self-control; he went further to rope-in even the innocent African Christian publishers and their Church leaders.
As a result, he painted and labeled the whole of African nation as corrupt.
THE MEANING/IMPLICATION: Meaning - Brand means an identifying trade mark, label, etc.
, burned especially on livestock, goods or human beings.
It also means a stigma or mark of disgrace.
In the days of slavery, a slave owner identifies his human cargo by the signature marks he burned into their skin with hot iron.
In the cattle markets anywhere in the world, one usually finds cattle with the peculiar mark of their owners painted on their hides.
Manufacturers make no mistakes in inscribing their names on every product they push into the market.
In many countries of the world, some tribes are usually distinguished from the others by the unique facial marks that are cut into their skins.
We can go to scriptures to get something similar.
God told His people, the Jews to celebrate the Passover annually because their participation at the Passover was going to be a branding upon them.
They were to observe this feast from year to year, thereby renewing the covenant of ownership of God upon them (Exodus 13:9-10, 16).
To every Jew, participating at the Passover party means more than food and drink; it carries a spiritual seal which stamped the souls of the participants.
Implication - For the fact that someone of the writer's caliber can do this, no other African no matter his/her level, can overcome such a temptation.
And as a result no one is guiltless.
Everybody according to him is carrying a fake yellow fever card as he did.
Just as we have seen earlier, almost everything man does on earth carries within it principles that stamp one's approval of same.
And so, a lot of people are one way or another caught in the web of renewing strange covenants by the things they get themselves involved in.
Africa has always been in the news - some of them negative while some are in fact, positive and uplifting.
Recent media reports have branded Africa with an evil mark, may be as a result of its participation in strange and ungodly activities that are still rampant in other areas.
This writer, whoever he may be - whether American or whatever - must bear the punishment of his shameful act.
Africa at times, is spoiled and painted dark by many of these people who claim to have come to help, yet with ulterior motives.
We need not to say more that this nation Africa needs divine intervention.
Once he had discovered this problem, the best thing to do is proffer solution, and the best solution, if I may suggest, is a life of total commitment to the rule of law first, then to Jesus Christ and biblical values - not stated, but practical.
"Publishing in Corrupt Africa" as alluded is a piece capable of a negative reaction.
Africa has been branded the "unrepentant bad boy" of its generation, yet the implication can never be pocketed.
GUILTY OR NOT GUILTY? The popular aphorism that you can know a genius when all the dunces are in a conspiracy against him holds true for the nation, Africa.
We live in a world where believing the worst about the next person is the easiest way out of serious questioning of issues.
African Christians have always had it rough from critics who had hoped to cause damages with their allegations even when such were unfounded.
It is on record that a good number of Christian ministries have been working tirelessly to strategize or perfect the distribution of Christian materials in the continent of Africa.
Local printers have partnered with Churches and Para-church groups to make sure that such distribution networks are sustained, despite their other priorities.
For once, we read about an African country making waves in Christian projects and at the end drew up a befitting conclusion, "God is at work in Africa!" However, the June 2004 edition of InterLit Magazine was uplifting.
The publishers deemed it right to dedicate a whole magazine to a great nation Africa, through one of its most populous countries - Nigeria.
It was really a good job done by the publishers, even though they know in part.
The little they knew about Africa prompted the resounding declaration that latter became the title.
Nigeria: Gateway to Endless Possibilities.
In his own part, the reported writer, Dr.
Isaac Phiri was thrilled by the work of God in Africa when he declared: "I Need to Make a Pilgrimage to Nigeria".
And he was not alone in that.
We learned that even the other members of the InterLit have also decided to have a 'pilgrimage' to Nigeria.
Notwithstanding, Africa is not a canonized saint.
The presence of many great preachers of the Gospel has not brought theological balance, commitment and maturity to converts.
There is need for published resources to help disciple the new Christians.
In Africa, there are still cases of corrupt bureaucracies, political upheaval, cults, genocide and so on.
But that does not single out the nation as "a bad boy", for there are ungodly decrees being tolerated in many other parts of the world, America inclusive.
Therefore, it is expected of those who see Africa not only as a nation, but a people created in the image and likeness of God to stand up to usher this great people of God into a glorious future.
Let's discover something good in this nation.
Africa cannot make headway when those that can proffer solution to her problems take to criticism.
Does it not bother us that the Christian bestsellers found in Africa are all imported? How will Africa tackle this problem when there is no genuine indigenous Christian publishing to address concerns from an African point of view? Western books have for the most offered titles that speak to their own cultures.
And this is where Dr.
Isaac Phiri is right in the reported article.
We must return to bases.
Despite the unpopular manner in which he hammered on the African nation, we can still agree with him that some trusted Christian leaders in Africa can self-destruct when we consider some sharp practices they engage themselves into.
Could this be the reason for his one million dollars question: "Can Anything Good Come Out Of Nigeria (Africa)?" You can agree with me that he did not stomach the question a little further before the truth was revealed to him.
He discovered that God is at work in Africa and quickly gave out an overwhelming but unreserved 'YES' for an answer.
Africa is one of the things God created and later called 'GOOD' (Genesis 1:31).
Yes, Africa is good.
God made it and blessed it, and so let no man curse what God has blessed! It's only God who can give a correct and accurate answer whether GUILTY OR NOT GUILTY.
So the yellow fever card of corruption and unethical practices that the writer handed over to all African Christians are misplaced.
Each of us is accountable to God for our own sins.
Let us behave as people who will give account and at the end made to understand that many others are living above the fray.
LESSONS/CONCLUSION: Some Christians in Africa are guilty of corruption one way or another and publishing will always suffer a setback if a practical solution is not pursued.
Apart from the fact that God is worshipped and glorified in Africa, the over 351 million Christians in Africa cannot do much with such a record unless the right thing is done - commitment to the person of Jesus Christ and Biblical values.
Since we live in a world that is bereft of total commitment to God, problems are bound to occur without permission.
Therefore, adopting an attitude towards whatever problems that beset us is what tells the kind of people we are.
No man is strengthened without difficulties.
As we handle our difficult situations, we go through a myriad of mistakes, and no man can live above it, except God.
The infallibility ascribed to the papacy for ages past was only recently put to task by a group of rioting Muslims who vowed to have nothing but an apology from the Pope.
This was beautifully done, and up till now, only God remains the Infallible One! Let's get reassured that tomorrow will be better.
No one progresses by declaring an unjust war upon his own family.
What difference has America with Africa? If your skin is coloured and mine is black, our BLOOD looks the same: RED! You can question God for that.
May be it's a mistake, who knows? But I believe, this is the handiwork of the untaught.
The untaught in America finds it difficult to do business with Africans, no matter what they are ready to pay.
If you doubt me, go to the Internet and find out that many African countries including NIGERIA are not in the good book of some of these marketers.
This is nothing but RACIAL DISCRIMINATION! Why shouldn't we all elect to participate in the progress of this generation? Africa has a work to do, America has a work to do, why not join hands together and make out something tangible? Let's practice teamwork, partner with God in building up ourselves; accept our differences and diversity so as to attain a spiritual and social transformation.
When we are true to ourselves, a training program like Cook's International Christian Publishing Institute (ICPI) could be hosted in Africa and an African version of InterLit Magazine could also be published here.
Every African indigenous publisher should look for ways to build and transform this nation through translating revival fires into solid renewal of believers' hearts and minds; analyze the audience especially at this time of numerical explosion of the Churches; committing ourselves to both Kingdom goals and the effective use of our limited financial resources rather than looking elsewhere.
This is where God is with us (Emmanuel) - here in Africa.
Let us go on to publish the Word of God as mandated whether or not there is risen reading culture; favourable economic conditions, or a calmer tomorrow when conditions will be perfect.
God does not ask us to find solutions to every problem we face, rather He will either ask us to be still or do a particular thing and get the problems solved.
This is our time to act.
Let us fulfill God's mission and transform Africa with the Gospel.
When we trust Him, we are sure no trouble will be greater or beyond what we can bear.
Africa must be great again - so that many more people will sincerely come for a 'pilgrimage' rather than labeling us wrongly in an uncommon airport!
Apart from being matured in Christ, Africa is matured in the mind.
The level of maturity Africans exhibited on the matter I'm about to discuss in this article, gave the whole world the impression that God is at work in Africa, otherwise, embassies could have been burnt, properties destroyed and lives terminated.
Maturity is good and Africa deserves to be honoured and respected for that.
When I took a retrospective look at the March edition of InterLit Magazine, a monthly foreign magazine for publishers from Cook Communications Ministries International in America, I discovered that the editors were fair and from the very beginning sued for wisdom since the topic under discussion "is a dangerous one".
Marlene LeFever was careful as she craved the indulgences of her readers bearing in mind that all her readers will not agree with the positions taken by the writers in that issue of the magazine.
But the next page after her kind words came the bomb.
Dr.
Isaac Phiri, a former director of publisher development for the Ministry was writing about ethics for publishers.
THE DRAMA: A drama unfolded at an African airport when the writer of the article went to board an aircraft enroute to Asia for a training event.
It was required by the authorities that a yellow fever vaccination card be presented so as to be allowed into Asia.
The writer had not been vaccinated and was turned back.
The doctors were not on seat, but he met a nurse who volunteered to help upon a demand.
The writer pulled out a $20 bill that spurred the nurse to fake a document.
Upon procurement of the fake yellow fever card, the writer was set on his way to Asia.
The writer in what appeared to be a confession of sin, decided to let the general public into his secret deal at the airport.
He confessed openly in a magazine, but instead of appropriately blaming his unwholesome and unpatriotic act on his lack of self-control; he went further to rope-in even the innocent African Christian publishers and their Church leaders.
As a result, he painted and labeled the whole of African nation as corrupt.
THE MEANING/IMPLICATION: Meaning - Brand means an identifying trade mark, label, etc.
, burned especially on livestock, goods or human beings.
It also means a stigma or mark of disgrace.
In the days of slavery, a slave owner identifies his human cargo by the signature marks he burned into their skin with hot iron.
In the cattle markets anywhere in the world, one usually finds cattle with the peculiar mark of their owners painted on their hides.
Manufacturers make no mistakes in inscribing their names on every product they push into the market.
In many countries of the world, some tribes are usually distinguished from the others by the unique facial marks that are cut into their skins.
We can go to scriptures to get something similar.
God told His people, the Jews to celebrate the Passover annually because their participation at the Passover was going to be a branding upon them.
They were to observe this feast from year to year, thereby renewing the covenant of ownership of God upon them (Exodus 13:9-10, 16).
To every Jew, participating at the Passover party means more than food and drink; it carries a spiritual seal which stamped the souls of the participants.
Implication - For the fact that someone of the writer's caliber can do this, no other African no matter his/her level, can overcome such a temptation.
And as a result no one is guiltless.
Everybody according to him is carrying a fake yellow fever card as he did.
Just as we have seen earlier, almost everything man does on earth carries within it principles that stamp one's approval of same.
And so, a lot of people are one way or another caught in the web of renewing strange covenants by the things they get themselves involved in.
Africa has always been in the news - some of them negative while some are in fact, positive and uplifting.
Recent media reports have branded Africa with an evil mark, may be as a result of its participation in strange and ungodly activities that are still rampant in other areas.
This writer, whoever he may be - whether American or whatever - must bear the punishment of his shameful act.
Africa at times, is spoiled and painted dark by many of these people who claim to have come to help, yet with ulterior motives.
We need not to say more that this nation Africa needs divine intervention.
Once he had discovered this problem, the best thing to do is proffer solution, and the best solution, if I may suggest, is a life of total commitment to the rule of law first, then to Jesus Christ and biblical values - not stated, but practical.
"Publishing in Corrupt Africa" as alluded is a piece capable of a negative reaction.
Africa has been branded the "unrepentant bad boy" of its generation, yet the implication can never be pocketed.
GUILTY OR NOT GUILTY? The popular aphorism that you can know a genius when all the dunces are in a conspiracy against him holds true for the nation, Africa.
We live in a world where believing the worst about the next person is the easiest way out of serious questioning of issues.
African Christians have always had it rough from critics who had hoped to cause damages with their allegations even when such were unfounded.
It is on record that a good number of Christian ministries have been working tirelessly to strategize or perfect the distribution of Christian materials in the continent of Africa.
Local printers have partnered with Churches and Para-church groups to make sure that such distribution networks are sustained, despite their other priorities.
For once, we read about an African country making waves in Christian projects and at the end drew up a befitting conclusion, "God is at work in Africa!" However, the June 2004 edition of InterLit Magazine was uplifting.
The publishers deemed it right to dedicate a whole magazine to a great nation Africa, through one of its most populous countries - Nigeria.
It was really a good job done by the publishers, even though they know in part.
The little they knew about Africa prompted the resounding declaration that latter became the title.
Nigeria: Gateway to Endless Possibilities.
In his own part, the reported writer, Dr.
Isaac Phiri was thrilled by the work of God in Africa when he declared: "I Need to Make a Pilgrimage to Nigeria".
And he was not alone in that.
We learned that even the other members of the InterLit have also decided to have a 'pilgrimage' to Nigeria.
Notwithstanding, Africa is not a canonized saint.
The presence of many great preachers of the Gospel has not brought theological balance, commitment and maturity to converts.
There is need for published resources to help disciple the new Christians.
In Africa, there are still cases of corrupt bureaucracies, political upheaval, cults, genocide and so on.
But that does not single out the nation as "a bad boy", for there are ungodly decrees being tolerated in many other parts of the world, America inclusive.
Therefore, it is expected of those who see Africa not only as a nation, but a people created in the image and likeness of God to stand up to usher this great people of God into a glorious future.
Let's discover something good in this nation.
Africa cannot make headway when those that can proffer solution to her problems take to criticism.
Does it not bother us that the Christian bestsellers found in Africa are all imported? How will Africa tackle this problem when there is no genuine indigenous Christian publishing to address concerns from an African point of view? Western books have for the most offered titles that speak to their own cultures.
And this is where Dr.
Isaac Phiri is right in the reported article.
We must return to bases.
Despite the unpopular manner in which he hammered on the African nation, we can still agree with him that some trusted Christian leaders in Africa can self-destruct when we consider some sharp practices they engage themselves into.
Could this be the reason for his one million dollars question: "Can Anything Good Come Out Of Nigeria (Africa)?" You can agree with me that he did not stomach the question a little further before the truth was revealed to him.
He discovered that God is at work in Africa and quickly gave out an overwhelming but unreserved 'YES' for an answer.
Africa is one of the things God created and later called 'GOOD' (Genesis 1:31).
Yes, Africa is good.
God made it and blessed it, and so let no man curse what God has blessed! It's only God who can give a correct and accurate answer whether GUILTY OR NOT GUILTY.
So the yellow fever card of corruption and unethical practices that the writer handed over to all African Christians are misplaced.
Each of us is accountable to God for our own sins.
Let us behave as people who will give account and at the end made to understand that many others are living above the fray.
LESSONS/CONCLUSION: Some Christians in Africa are guilty of corruption one way or another and publishing will always suffer a setback if a practical solution is not pursued.
Apart from the fact that God is worshipped and glorified in Africa, the over 351 million Christians in Africa cannot do much with such a record unless the right thing is done - commitment to the person of Jesus Christ and Biblical values.
Since we live in a world that is bereft of total commitment to God, problems are bound to occur without permission.
Therefore, adopting an attitude towards whatever problems that beset us is what tells the kind of people we are.
No man is strengthened without difficulties.
As we handle our difficult situations, we go through a myriad of mistakes, and no man can live above it, except God.
The infallibility ascribed to the papacy for ages past was only recently put to task by a group of rioting Muslims who vowed to have nothing but an apology from the Pope.
This was beautifully done, and up till now, only God remains the Infallible One! Let's get reassured that tomorrow will be better.
No one progresses by declaring an unjust war upon his own family.
What difference has America with Africa? If your skin is coloured and mine is black, our BLOOD looks the same: RED! You can question God for that.
May be it's a mistake, who knows? But I believe, this is the handiwork of the untaught.
The untaught in America finds it difficult to do business with Africans, no matter what they are ready to pay.
If you doubt me, go to the Internet and find out that many African countries including NIGERIA are not in the good book of some of these marketers.
This is nothing but RACIAL DISCRIMINATION! Why shouldn't we all elect to participate in the progress of this generation? Africa has a work to do, America has a work to do, why not join hands together and make out something tangible? Let's practice teamwork, partner with God in building up ourselves; accept our differences and diversity so as to attain a spiritual and social transformation.
When we are true to ourselves, a training program like Cook's International Christian Publishing Institute (ICPI) could be hosted in Africa and an African version of InterLit Magazine could also be published here.
Every African indigenous publisher should look for ways to build and transform this nation through translating revival fires into solid renewal of believers' hearts and minds; analyze the audience especially at this time of numerical explosion of the Churches; committing ourselves to both Kingdom goals and the effective use of our limited financial resources rather than looking elsewhere.
This is where God is with us (Emmanuel) - here in Africa.
Let us go on to publish the Word of God as mandated whether or not there is risen reading culture; favourable economic conditions, or a calmer tomorrow when conditions will be perfect.
God does not ask us to find solutions to every problem we face, rather He will either ask us to be still or do a particular thing and get the problems solved.
This is our time to act.
Let us fulfill God's mission and transform Africa with the Gospel.
When we trust Him, we are sure no trouble will be greater or beyond what we can bear.
Africa must be great again - so that many more people will sincerely come for a 'pilgrimage' rather than labeling us wrongly in an uncommon airport!