Student Testimony: Akeena Obaze

I’ve had a recurring dream since I was little. I would be on a sidewalk on a pretty, clear day. Beside the sidewalk were green grass hills and bright fireflies that could be seen even during the day. I knew I was allowed to roam and play in the grass, but I always had to stay near the path. Farther away, there was a dark forest in which there were giant brighter lights flying through the trees. I knew that if I went into the woods, I could get lost and possibly never find the path again. In one iteration of this dream, I wondered what lay beyond the tree line. So, in one dream I walked straight for the trees. I followed one of the lights as it took me further and further from the path. The forest grew darker and darker until all I could see was the bright light. When I finally caught it in my hands, it disappeared, and I was in darkness. I grew fearful and tried to find my way back, but I couldn't. My beautifully peaceful dream quickly turned into a rabid nightmare. I woke up that night stressed and anxious.

Why did I talk about one of my dreams? This dream shows the differences between walking with God vs. walking without him. I’m not perfect. Just like in my dream, I haven’t always stayed on God’s path. 

Growing up I had a strong relationship with God. The church I grew up in was across the street from my grandmother’s house. My family was extremely active. My father was even an elder. I would read Bible stories or watch Veggie Tales. But as I got older, that connection wavered. Our church switched pastors and management, my parents got a divorce, and my grandmother passed. All of the ties I had in my childhood withered as time passed. In college especially, I felt my bond to God slipping. I blamed my busy schedule for why I distanced myself from God.

I hit rock bottom in 2020. I wasn’t busy, but I felt alone. I couldn’t hang out with my family or friends as much because of covid, school was completely online, my roommate was never home, and my car broke down. I was basically trapped in my room. I was a hermit. I had been through a difficult heartbreak and felt less than. It was the first time in my life I felt completely alone. I felt as if I was unwanted even by God.

It got worse when I got home. Even though I was surrounded by family, I would still lock myself in my bedroom and not come out for days. Luckily, my mother saw that I was in pain. Every day, she would come in and force me to go on walks with her. She was persistent. On these walks she would make me laugh and smile. And most importantly, she was reintroducing me to God. The God that is ever loving. The God that is there for you always. And slowly that summer, I started feeling myself again.

When school started back up, I didn’t want to lose this connection. I asked God to send me signs to help me find people that will help me in my journey. Well, funny enough, that's how I met the interns at the Wesley. One day while I was studying, some of them came and sat with me for lunch. Camellia was wearing a bright purple shirt with large butterflies on it. Why was this important? Well, my favorite color is purple, and butterflies are one of my signs that God is near. I knew there that God was leading me toward them. I’ve been an active member of the Wesley ever since.

The Wesley has given me the Christian community I needed on campus. With their endless love and support, I feel like me again. My bond with God has grown significantly stronger. I give him more of my personal time and talk to him constantly. What I learned over this last year is that no matter how far you stray, God is near; you just have to call for him, and you can return to his side.

Akeena is a junior chemistry major here at Tech and she plans on going to pharmacy school once she graduates! Having only started coming around this year, Akeena has quickly become a foundational piece of the community, with her genuine attitude and caring nature making fast friends of anyone she comes in contact with.