Retired Missionary's 50-year Connection to New Minister

Thursday February 11

Doctor worked in same Nigerian hospital as minister's mother

^{Video: Church of Scotland}

A Church Elder and her new minister were left stunned when they discovered they had an unexpected and surprising connection.

The Rev Dr Elijah Obinna is to be inducted into the charge of St John's Church, Carluke, tonight (Thursday). One of the Elders there, retired missionary Dr Ann Jackson, was amazed to learn that Dr Obinna's mother, Margaret, worked in the same Nigerian hospital that she did 50 years ago.
 
Dr Jackson said she was convinced it was all part of God’s grand plan to send Dr Obinna 3,700 miles  to the small town in Lanarkshire to spread the Christian message, just like she did with his fellow countrymen.

Dr Jackson, who is now 78, worked as a general physician in three hospitals run by the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria between 1966-1970.

One of them was the Presbyterian Joint Hospital in Uburu in Ebonyi State, South Eastern Nigeria  – the small community where Mr Obinna used to live – and it was there where his mother worked as a nurse for 28 years until she retired in 2008.
 
Dr Jackson, who also worked in Malawi and Glasgow before returning to her home town in 1978 to work as a GP, said: “I am thrilled to bits that Elijah is here in Carluke, I cannot believe it.
 
“Our God is awesome and there is no doubt in my mind that this has been his plan from the very beginning to get us working together - it is really exciting because he is new blood.
 
“I worked as a missionary in Nigeria 50 years ago to spread the gospel and share my faith through my work in three hospitals.
 
“I was stunned when I learned that Elijah’s mother worked in the same hospital as me.
 
“The way God works out his purpose is amazing and you never know where it is going to take you or how it is going to end.
 
“But you have to believe you are all part of this great plan because I do not believe in coincidences.”

The minister and his family - wife Favour and four children - arrived in Carluke from Nigeria last week. He said his mother was “really surprised” to learn of the connection.

“It is amazing that Ann was sent to Nigeria by the Church of Scotland 50 years ago and now the Presbytery of Nigeria has sent me to the Church of Scotland,” he added.
 
“I was surprised to learn of the connection because I had never been to Carluke before so it was unbelievable to hear that Ann worked in the same hospital as my mum.
 
“I believe this is the wider plan of God and how things work in circles – he works in mysterious ways.”
 
Dr Obinna, who has previously worked at St Giles' Cathedral and St Stephen’s Comely Bank Church in Edinburgh, said he was looking forward to the newest chapter in his life, particularly because he had found an inspirational new friend who understood the cross-cultural challenges between Scotland and Nigeria.
 
“We live in the hands of God and we just feel open to challenge, opportunity and the growth that comes with the future,” he added.

Comments

Helen Kerr - Tuesday, February 16th, 2016

“Dear Ann, Wonderful to see you on video for after Nigeria came Malawi - you came for 'six months only' but stayed much longer. It was a good time but a big part of you was still in Nigeria!”

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