The Foreword
When I was asked to write the foreword to “The Widow’s Compendium” by Mkposong S. Asuquo, all of a sudden I became very nervous and I could not understand why.
After all, my late mother Mrs. Genevieve Ekaette had been a famous journalist in America and somehow the LORD has blessed me to write for his kingdom. Widowhood is scary on any level as I later on would learn that my best friend in high school lost her beloved husband while just in her early thirties. I often felt that I should have done something but I did not know what to do but it never propelled me into writing about it. Widowhood has been around from the beginning of time, the very first widow in the Bible was a young woman called Tamar whose father-in-law stripped her of her self-esteem by indirectly implying that it was her fault that his sons were dying.
Widowhood has been an issue that has been rather defined as a woman’s own fault; it has been used as an opportunity for many to abuse or take advantages of what is already a terrible situation. The LORD has always taken a particular interest in the widow. It is Him who administers justice and he tells us that we cannot take a widow’s garment as a pledge. He takes it a step father by commanding that the tithe should be given to the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless and yes the widow!
Ruth was a widow, so was the woman at Zerephath to where Prophet Elijah was sent during the time of drought and famine. Everyone knows that when a widow loses her spouse it become a time of drought and famine for her and her children. This book is to help enlighten us to the plight of the voiceless women among us, those women who have suffered the lose of a spouse but yet must continue on because of her children.
Mankind is the greatest in the animal kingdom. It is not just because of their high level of intelligence but rather their capacity to love and this has not been displayed towards the widow and her children when they are in need of love the most, but have been despised and mistreated instead. This book not only outlines the problems but gives reasonable solution and moves us in the dialogue about a global issue that cannot be ignored anymore. This book in short has become both a guide and a snapshot of what should be, should not be and what we can become. Indeed we have conquered certain diseases, we have built planes, and even walked on the moon but we have yet conquered one of the most basic human and godly principles which is to look out for the widows among us. This book is for that pastor, businessman, trader, physician, janitor, child, teacher and all people who seek the betterment of mankind, it become not only an indispensable reference but this book also becomes our conscience.
Therefore I am deeply honoured to have asked to write the foreword of this book. To the young author who has carved a niche out of a greater necessity; believe that from this day forward widowhood will never be looked down or frowned upon again. Not only should Mkposong be congratulated for such a well written masterpiece of literary work but he should also be commended for such a heart and a mission in a world that is selfish dying to stand out as a voice for he widows worldwide.
In end on this not that we all will one day say like JOB ….And I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy. (Job 29:13)
Remaining in His Presence.
Pastor Sandra Ekpenyong
(Apostle of World Harvest Int’l Church – Worldwide)
World Harvest Int’l Church,
Laurel, Maryland – USA