Erere Abayowa: Of Love and Literary Things

Posted by Yakuti in Archives | | 5 comments

Erere Abayowa, née Ojakovo, is a writer who has blessed many with her words on Light Her Lamp, a blog she has been running since 2006. In this written interview, she shares her thoughts on life, love and literary things. I ‘met’ Erere in 2007, first on Blogger and then on The Early Risers’ Call (TERC), a prayer conference call that takes place at 5am EST every Friday.

__

Congratulations again!!! And a belated happy first month anniversary. How is marriage?

Thank you Paula. It’s been a very lovely first month learning new things with my husband and also renewing and igniting the earlier aspects of our relationship. We are closer than we’ve ever been before, and we look forward to many more anniversaries.

Your name Erere is interesting and pleasant-sounding – what does it mean?

It is an Urhobo name (a tribe from Delta State, Nigeria), and it means “profit” or “gain.”

If you were to choose just one word that defines you, what would that word be, and why?

I had to pause and think about that one, because I’m not a one-word person. I, more often than not, tend to say one thing in several ways, maybe because I think it’s fun to conjure as many images as possible, and less restrictive. After much thought, I still couldn’t come up with just one word.

What was your childhood like: where did you grow up, go to school, describe family life back then.

I grew up in four different cities: Sapele, Benin [City], Port-Harcourt, and Lagos. I attended several schools in these cities, and then travelled to the United States for College and now my Masters. I’ve been quite a mover! Family life was really sweet back then as a kid. I loved the long holidays the most because I and my siblings were in boarding house, and long holidays were the times where we could create our very own special childhood memories—eating together as a family, telling stories when there was no electricity and when it was dark, bringing our uncle’s dog into the living room when my mum was not around (she hated dogs), and having our cousins come over to visit. I also remember when we started attending this fantastic vacation Bible school at Ikoyi Baptist church, I remember being surprised that we were having as much fun in a place that I thought would be boring. They really did a great job with the kinds of activities they dished out every day, and the jollof rice and chicken was also great for lunch!

What’s your testimony; how did you come to know the Lord?

When I was younger (less than ten), I remember having a form of “religion” but not experiencing anything more than that. As time grew on, I remember that my mother talked to my dad about having family devotions and making our lives more meaningful. It actually worked. It was so exciting to start something like that in my family. Slightly after that, I got introduced to music by Ron Kenoly and Don Moen, and I began to have a feel of what “real worship to God” was. The first time I sang Don Moen’s “Draw Me Close,” I can honestly say I felt God’s presence. I wanted Him to draw me closer to Him. But I still was very young and naïve. One day in High school, I ran up to the altar to give my life to Christ. I was moved by the preaching and worship. I gave my life many times after that as well, LOL. I kept learning more and more about God by going to church, but my closest moments of knowing Him was when I started attending the Temple of Praise International Church at Beltsville, Maryland…I met someone who changed my life, Pastor Nike Daramy. She pretty much made me see God the way I’ve never seen, and in 2004 I rededicated my life again.

What family member do you quote the most in your speech?

My dad. He has said a lot of funny things in my life-time.

What has been the darkest moment of your life so far, and how (from what your finite mind can fathom in this realm) has God used it to get you to where you are?

When I was very young, I remember having a sinister fear that my nuclear family was going to get torn apart because of so-called “family wars,” but I’m here now, and we’re still together…as tightly knit as can be. God has shown me that He is indeed my SHEPHERD, He has kept my family together up until now, no matter how hard the devil worked at trying to pull the family apart.

What gives you the greatest joy?

God’s love. I don’t understand how He can love people who go against His word…every time I do something that cuts His heart, He still forgives me. I’m in a continuous training to make myself please Him with everything I do. It’s a race. And I’m winning…

Do you like being called a writer?

Yes, I do. It makes my heart skip a beat, actually. Because I love the creativity I can pull off from writing.

How did your very first blog post come about? How do you feel when you go back and read it?

Ha ha, my very first blog post was as a result of me finding a world of joy out there (called BLOGGER.COM) and wanting to post something on my blank page really fast. I went back to read my first post called, “One Day of Dominion.” When I was writing it I was only exploring the world of blogging and trying to be poetic. I also remember that I had heard Pastor Nike preaching about the dominion that God gave man back in the garden of Eden, and how we’re still supposed to have dominion till this day. Now that I think about it, I obviously had no clue what the blog was going to grow into, but I know that God knew what He was doing. Wow.

You have managed to keep your blog up, consistently posting through the years, while other bloggers have changed usernames, gone private or quit blogging altogether. What keeps you going?

Knowing that my blog is not just for me but for many people out there inspires me to keep writing. The Light-Her-Lamp blog is not a personal diary, although I reveal little snippets of myself occasionally so that people can relate to me on a normal level, since I’m just like the average person out there. It is mainly about how God inspires me constantly through His word, and I tell what I experience or learn by using fictional stories that people can relate to.

One of the first things about your blog that struck me and stayed with me was the word M.E.T.A.M.O.R.P.H.O.S.E.S. I am sure it would be accurate to say Erere today is not the Erere she was in 2006. Describe the change for us.

Yes, I am not the same. In fact, I believe that I am not the same person as I was yesterday because in just one day I’ve learned some really cool things. I’m always striving to improve. I’m always striving to be better. There will never be a time where I’ve got it all, as far as the bible is alive. Do you know you can read one passage a million times and it could mean a million things?

You touch many people with your writing, but you still seem to be a very private person. Is this true? Is it a writer thing?

I’m a very private person. Most times I want to vent or something, but I can’t because I’m private. In fact, my entire family likes privacy too. Although I don’t know if having 889 friends or thereabout on facebook is serving a private purpose right now, LOL. I’m still anonymous to some, but not to others.

Which writer inspires you the most?

I don’t have a favorite writer and I don’t think I ever will because every story is different. A single writer could have five books, but only one would speak out to me. But I am so in love with Francine Rivers and the way she told the story in “Redeeming Love.” Don’t think I’ve ever read a book like that before. I’m currently reading the Mark of the Lion series, also by Francine Rivers.

You’re currently in grad school, which means you must be a very busy person. How has your typical daily schedule changed in marriage?

I am currently doing a Masters degree in Health services administration, and I guess after one month of marriage my schedule is still the same as last year. It’s not more stressful or anything.

What do you think Jesus thinks of your blog?

I love this question, I think Jesus would enjoy reading it if He reads blogs. Oh, I think He’ll love the comments section too.

What is the biggest challenge you face as a writer?

Publicity.

What is the one thing you hope your readers gain from your blog?

That they will be saved and not miss the mark.

What’s a single lady to do this Valentine’s Day?

Go out and splurge on yourself (treat yourself to a spa and some nice Thai food, and some chocolate cake). And don’t say Jesus is your husband, that line is getting old.

Tell us about TERC; were you one of the founders?

No, the founder is the lovely Yewande Sofolahan, who has grown to be my TERC pal over the years. TERC (The Early Risers Call) is made up of a group of people who take the time to be on a conference call every Friday for fellowship and prayers. We have formed this unbreakable bond and I believe God brought us together because every member is unique in a weird way. To join us on Fridays or to listen to any of our back-dated conversations, please visit http://tercblog.blogspot.com/

What five things would you never leave the house without?

I know only one thing I can’t do without right now: MY LAPTOP. See, the laptop connects me to every other thing I need.

What is your favorite Bible verse?

Psalm 1:1 (although I’d say the entire chapter of Psalm 1 is my favorite). “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.”

Aside from the praise of her husband and those around her, is there anything at all that a woman gains by being virtuous?

I think a woman gains self-worth by being virtuous. And that feeling is…priceless!

Anything else you’d like to add?

You can be different, even when the odds are against you. You can do what God wants you to do, and you can be who God wants you to be. Who says you can’t? The world will tell you otherwise, but only you can choose to believe. I always say that even when it is hard, it is still doable! ? It gets easier when you’re in love with your first Love.

.