THE joy of the family of Mr and Mrs. Afam and Ifeyinwa Ezechukwu knew no bounds as their childless marriage of 20 years and persistent prayers for fruit of the womb has been blessed with a baby boy.
In a celebration to herald the arrival of the new- born baby and dedication to God which attracted several Catholic priests and political heavyweights, including Mr. Godwin Ezeemo, at the Housing Estate Sports Club, Fegge, Onitsha, the couple narrated their experiences in the past 20 years.
According to the husband, Adam Ezechukwu, “our story is neither the sweetest nor never experienced, because many have bags of bestsellers all over them only if you could hear their story”.
“The journey began after our wedding on December 4, 1999. We had beautiful expectations not envisaging anything in the direction of seeking the fruit of the womb until when one year passed without luck; I went for a medical checkup on my own to know if anything was wrong. The result showed it was low sperm count and I was placed on medication which lasted for a long time with repeated tests to monitor the progress. The doctor advised for a spiritual solution after all he did proved abortive as what he saw was not ordinary”.
“Coming from my background, it did not make much difference as my father’s first wife was barren and he married my mother as second wife and they gave birth to me as the only son after 10 years of childlessness also”.
He further stated that as the ugly situation continued, “another medical doctor that was handling us called me in private and advised me to allow my wife go out and get pregnant, though I was not angry with him but we ended our transaction with him”.
“I lost my father in 2020 and it was painful because I could not give him the fulfillment of his life to behold a grandchild from his only son.
He said, “these years of waiting were years of battle in all fronts. It was not limited to the fruit of the womb. God fought all our battles both known and hidden to the uttermost surprise of our enemies. So many strange things happened to us which were beyond human understanding
We encountered so many people on this journey with too many prophesies, revelations and messages but in all, God’s grace was quite sufficient that we did not fall off our faith or got separated. It was years of prayers of varied degrees that at a point, we didn’t know what or how to pray any more”.
We lost all we ever worked for in the hands of doctors and friends who could not stand the situation and left us especially those we rejected their unholy suggestions. To the Glory of God, He has answered our prayers in His own time.
On her part , the wife, Mrs Ifeyinwa Ezechukwu, simply said, “Chukwudi-ike! To our God I call Him my Glory, for He is the glory that shields me. To our Lady, the Blessed Virgin Mary, whom her immaculate heart triumphed in my family, I call her the ‘Mother of mercy.”
