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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Cleave: To adhere, or to separate (10/09/25)
“Cleave unto The Lord. I cleave to The Lord. I trust in Him. We belong to Jesus”.
Joshua could still hear his Papa Amari chanting this motto verse that day as they fled their Nigerian home. Their family was now living in Benin. They had fled for their lives when the ‘hostile ones’ began their killing spree on all the Christians in Ongari. Their latest trend was to slaughter all who followed Christ. They burnt and destroyed churches, schools, and homes. Bibles had to be hidden. They captured children and took them into their domain and converted them to their religion.
The armed groups were full of hate, and yet they believed that killing Christians was a good thing.

Joshua’s family included his mom, Patience and his two sisters Chioma {God is good} and Ngozi {blessing}. They adapted to the changed location and quickly found that life in Benin was so much easier. The people were more welcoming to Christianity. The family got jobs and started attending a local church. Sometimes they had to give testimony of their Nigerian life and the persecution that many endured for their faith.

As a family, each morning, they took the time to read the Bible together. Papa often reminded them that throughout life they must adhere closely to, cleave or cling closely to God,Jesus,The Holy Spirit,and The written Word of God.

“ Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name..” {Deuteronomy 10:20} ….“Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.” Deuteronomy 13:4}.

Years later, when Joshua and his sisters were all grown up and had families, and their parents were older and retired, they maintained a strong love for each other and cleaved to their faith in God.
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This article has been read 108 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Marlene Custer 
10/19/25
A good message.
Bonnie Bowden 
10/20/25
It is difficult to hear of all the persecution and killing of Christians in Nigeria. You did a good job of introducing a family who escaped.

The conjunction, yet, doesn't work in this sentence: The armed groups were full of hate, and yet they [delete words yet they] believed that killing Christians was a good thing.

Please also consider revising your last sentence: When Joshua and his sisters were all grown up and had families, their parents were older and retired, they maintained a strong love for each other and cleaved to their faith in God.
Throughout the years ...