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February 10, 2006
Godwin, Spiritual Refugee
Most everyone I have talked to here so far has left their country because of problems with violence, politics, or economics. Godwin is the first person I’ve met who is on the run from a spiritual threat.
He was born in a rural area in Ghana, where his father was a priest in the local tribal religion. When he died a few years ago, it would have been Godwin’s older brother’s duty to fill the role. He refused and before long he died, not by a car accident or disease, but the people said it was because of the curse they had put on him. They looked to Godwin to follow his father’s path next.
Godwin had met some missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints who led him to see the darkness of the religion that was being practiced, and he found freedom and new life in Jesus. Before he said he could do all the practices of the tribal religion, like walking in the rain and not getting wet, offering sacrifices to the gods, and other traditions, but he came to see that these things were not right. When they looked to him to step up into the priest’s role, he chose to take his wife and flee the country.
Godwin had been educated nearly through high school and worked as a farmer while he was in Ghana. His family had been fairly well off, so he has had the privilege of studying English and when he left Ghana he was able to travel with a sufficient amount of money. Before long, his wife died. Again, he said the people would say that it was the spiritual powers that took her life. He continued traveling alone.
He traveled to Morocco in 2003, where he met a woman from Nigeria. They lived together and had a son. The son was an unexpected difficulty for Godwin, because if anyone would learn about his situation, the son could be returned to his people and be taken and raised as the priest that would pursue him. He told me that his life is now desired as a sacrifice to appease the land. They wouldn’t sacrifice with weapons, but they take lives through spiritual powers.
After a few years in Morocco, his girlfriend was somehow processed by police to see whether she would return to Nigeria or be moved along to the peninsula. Again, Godwin was afraid that if she and his son would return to Nigeria, his son might still end up back in his hometown. He was very glad to see them approved, and they now live in Sevilla.
Two days ago, Godwin paid 1,500 € to swim early in the morning into Ceuta. He has been housed here at the Cruz Blanca until further processing. He would like to continue to England where he speaks the language, but would be most happy to be outside of Africa where he will feel safe. He told me that I’m the first person in Ceuta that he’s told his story to; he tells most Africans who ask that he’s from Liberia or somewhere. Until he is off this continent, he is cautious about where his story goes.
In a good number of years, he says he hopes to be in a position to return to Ghana at least for a time, not to his hometown, but to the main city nearby where he can live safely and tell people about the freedom found in Jesus. He says he still considers himself new in the faith, and doesn’t know much about the Book of Mormon, but feels like the Spirit has led him to be primarily interested in the Bible. Godwin is not his given name, but the name he has taken with his new identity, largely for his own safety. I pray the God of love and peace continues to guide and bless him in his travels.
Posted by Derrick at February 10, 2006 05:55 PM