Felix

By Pastor Steve Nute

As I hop from place to place, from time span to time span, I must not miss the opportunity to introduce you to Felix. After the funeral services of the first day, we returned to the missionary Embassy to rest. A young man was carrying racks of soda in and also was sent by Ephraim to let us in.

Ephraim introduced him as, “Our Doctor of everything”, Felix, or Felis, as they pronounce it.

It was Felix who taught us that first night to reply “Onye Ogee” or “black man” to the constant barrage of “Onye Ocha”. It was even-tempered Felix with his unending patience and good humor who transported us to the market, fixed the Land Rover, set up the generator, built the platforms, procured Igbo books, taught me some of the language and, most of all, never asked for anything.

After seeing all this this man did for the ministry, I really wonder how they’d ever function efficiently without him. Doc and I were constantly impressed with his handiness and ability in every area of need.

Karen Y…., who, with her husband and family, had come to be a part of the International Bible Academy, wanted some cupboards to make her kitchen more “American”. She showed Felix a picture from a magazine, and he produced a very fine replica of the counter and cabinet that she wanted.

It was Felix, guarded by a loving God, who eluded capture by bandits while returning from Onitsha with the crusade team one morning. The interstates are not safe to travel during darkness, and at 5:00 a.m. He took the Rover, loaded with Team members, up less than a mile to a short cut.

Just before the turnoff, a group of machine gunned bandits had dragged truck frames and debris across the road. The team saw this and began to pray, especially the two riding on the rear bumper. As they slowed to a stop, Felix saw a narrow gap in the barricade and deftly slipped the loaded Rover through it and across a nearby village to safety.

Doc gave Felix a Swiss Army Knife, and it was really used. I have used one as a novelty; I never saw some one who really was in need of such a tool before. It is in very capable hands.

Tall, slender, rakishly handsome Felix. A humorous, steady and capable person. But one other talent, or gift, was discovered in him. One night, at the Onitsha crusade, two young men who had received tracts from our group came to ask more about the Lord. They were having trouble with my English, and I frantically looked around for help. Enter Felix. He stepped in and answered their questions and set them up in a local Bible study group. Felix not only fixes all the material things at H.G.M., he is capable of aiding in the mending of souls as well.

Felix, wherever you are, thank you in Jesus name for your kind care of these two Onye Ocha while we visited your friendly domain.