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Thick Skin Warmth

This poem “Thick Skin Warmth” is in a sense,  a double entendre. There are two interpretations that I want people to take in from the title and the content. I wanted to personally address how circumstances in my life, forced me to grow a thick skin and contributed to my sometimes hardened heart. I also wanted to address the literal meaning of thick skin, in terms of the weight problems I’ve had with my “big-boned” figure. ( As Caribbean would put it.)  Growing up, I sometimes had aspirations to be somebody-else  or to be treated differently. This poem is a tribute to not only my former self and to the woman I’ve become, but to many others who may have had a rough childhood, difficulty  finding their identity,  have been overlooked, have had weight issues etc.. but despite any odds or doubts, have come out better people because of it. If not for what I had gone through I couldn’t have written this and I wouldn’t have gotten the chance to connect with others who can look back to their past and find the cracks of light that built their spirit of resilience. All things considered, I have the maturity to love all of who I was,  the confidence to love who I am, and the faith to love who I will become.

There is always a spin of positivity for any adversity you face. For me it was that, more thick skin = more warmth.

 

 

Thick Skin Warmth

I have memories in the thick skin I grew
And for a child with big bones
I would chew words
Thrown across dinner tables
Like bread rolls and dull swords headed for destruction in war quarters
I fought soldiers of enemy blood
Camouflaged in family love
Giving harsh hugs
Sharing hushed laughs
Wishing silent good lucks
Then a child grows up
Hoping the thick skin would shed itself off
Toasting the New Years with resolutions
For light pounds
Ground heights to look tall
Light skin to suit stars
Bright mind to pass college and make mama proud
I found self in the dark clouds
Searching for a way out
To skip towns
And drift to sleep with no sound
Of echoing dreams failed
Dropped down to level man’s esteem
Of a woman with thick brows
Big shoulders to rip through a double small
Tom boy with a jean jacket bending gender bounds
Oblivious to gender nouns
Little child
With thick skin
Protecting others from her bitter vowels
A and E
WE owe you for breaking promises
Not keeping us as hostages
Remaining fatherless saved the spirit of this optimist
If I didn’t die by this
Trust I won’t hold on to it
This skin grew thick
My mind grew to compensate
Faith knew he’d be the one
To help thick skin love
Whoever thick skins does
Will love her back
and feel the thick skin warmth

Ryan Ofei

Passion for Christ Feature

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“Hi my name is Ryan Ofei, I am a 22 year old Carleton student who loves God”

One of my earliest childhood memories involves me at age 6 in Ghana, West Africa. I grew up watching preachers and worship concerts….a little different right? At that age I could remember a burning desire leading me to sing. It was as if it was coming out of me and I was being suppressed. I was telling my mother, “mommy I want to sing”. Her reply was an irritated no, but after much persistence she gave in and she was so astonished that I was good, that she invited all her friends in the neighbourhood to come hear me.
From that time on I kept singing at churches but my passion and encounter with the things of God were at an all time low. At 18 I moved from The GTA  to Ottawa and began school at Carleton University. On my 19th birthday I escaped an accident that almost took my life. After this event I couldn’t help but praise God and realize how close He was to me, even when I running away. I began to get more involved and find out who this God, really was to me. At age 20, my best friend and Pastor, Kofi Dartey accepted God’s call to start a ministry on our campus called Campus Rush. I remember him sitting down with me in my meadowlands summer home that I was subletting at the time. He said, “I want you to lead the worship team”. I almost laughed, but then I saw he was serious. He went on to say it won’t be easy and we may loose friends along the way. I told him that I was in 100% as my spirit locked with the vision immediately.
I released an acoustic EP named Kairos Moment on my 20th birthday. The Campus Rush Music collective consists of worship leaders who are passionate about witnessing this generation on fire for God. I have had the privilege of leading the worship team alongside pastor Sewa Ayoola. Our group is now over 20 members and has been together for 2 years and have sparked a revolution on campuses at Carleton University and UOttawa. Campus Rush Music has now held two “discharge” events, which are essentially worship nights held in the enemy’s territory. Whether a club or a school theatre, we are unashamed to declare the name of Jesus. Our unconventional approach and faith has led to many souls being won to the kingdom. Under CRM, I have been privileged with releasing two group albums named Young on Fire (2015) and Secret Place (2016). I thank God everyday for allowing me to find purpose and achieve destiny.
In this short time span, I can truthfully say God has transformed my life. The passion I carry for singing is now greater than ever before. The revelation of who God is to me  is as deep as recognizing Him as the source of my next breath. I have come to an understanding that we are called to live out our worship. We are called to bring Glory to the King in all that we do. I am now understanding the key to a deeper walk is not in getting more of God, but in giving more of ourselves. It is for this reason that I jump as high as I can and sing as loud as I can. My worship is my sacrifice to the Lord. I know sometimes I may look crazy… But hey it got me featured on this blog… Ahaha
2016 has been a great year for me personally. Elohim has really worked many miracles for me, proving himself as Yahweh Yireh. Within the past couple months, I have received provision and favour that I never imagined. I want to return all the Glory to God. He has truly shown me that the tests we face are for our good.

Upcoming!

Things to look forward to for the remainder of 2016 are the “Jesus in the City” concert on June 25th. The team has been called to minister for a set in the heart of downtown Toronto at what is one of Canada’s largest Christian events. As well we are releasing the revival single on the 25th of June. I will be leading worship June 30th to July 3rd at the Young on Fire conference at Campus Rush which will be a powerful time in Gods presence. The last major plan is in the works. I am working on a project entitled songs of deliverance. the expected release date is November 30th. The songs will be in two fold, deliverance from oppressing and dark forces as well as songs of joy and freedom in the exodus.