Getting to know Oluwatoyin Adejoke and her family.
Toyin, we are so glad you and your family have come to worship with us at Carrubbers
Tell us where you were born and a little bit about your life when you were growing up.
I was born in Lagos, Nigeria in 1967, the second of four children and only daughter. My birth happened at a time when the Nigerian civil war was raging and the Biafran army was trying to take over Lagos. According to my parents, my mother could not attend the hospital for delivery and had to stay at my grandparents’ home. A bomb was dropped somewhere close by just about the time she was going into labour, and she gave birth to me whilst she was being shielded under the bed trying to escape the effects of a civil war.
My parents were middle class, working parents and provided us with a very good home life. In Nigeria, the extended family is quite involved in a child’s upbringing so I spent a lot of time at my grandparents’ home. My grandparents had seven children and so I had a lot of cousins to play with. My family holds a strong belief in education and I attended some of the best schools in Lagos at that time. We were also a Christian family of the Methodist tradition. A lot of my extra-curricular activities centred around the Church - activities such as Girls’ Brigade, Sunday school etc.
My mum, who was into dress making had a wide circle of friends. Through some of these friends I had the opportunity to take part in a few TV programmes and adverts. I still remember being in a TV advert for a squash drink called Tree Top and some of my friends still refer to me as ‘the Tree Top girl’! I enjoyed school and had good friends growing up. I finished my Nigerian education with an honours degree in Sociology in 1989.
What language do you like to speak most?
I enjoy speaking my native language which is Yoraba but unfortunately I don’t get to speak it that much these days. My children don’t speak the language so I only get to speak it when conversing with family and friends from the same tribe as me. When I am praying or worshipping God, Yoruba is my “heart language” as it enables me to express myself in the best possible way.
When and why did you come to Scotland?
As a family we had been living in Ireland. Due to the lack of good employment opportunities I decided to relocate to Scotland in April 2015 for work and to study. I had been to Scotland previously on holiday with the children and we enjoyed it tremendously.
Tell us about your work and your studies.
At present I am a part time social care worker with the Thistle Foundation. I help provide support for individuals with different ranges of disability which enables them to live a fulfilling life in the community around Edinburgh. I am also at the University of Edinburgh on a Master’s programme in Social Work, and this involves work placement opportunities with different care groups as a social work student.
Your family is with you in Scotland? What are they doing?
I have four children; Andrew (17), Tomi (15), Teni and Samuel (12) and they attend schools around where we live. I am a single parent as my former husband and I are legally separated.
How did you find Carrubbers and why have you made it your church?
Carrubbers was introduced to us by our Pastor in Ireland who gave me the names of three churches in Edinburgh that he felt were like our church in Cavan. We attended each of these churches and then made a decision to stay in Carrubbers. Here I sensed there was more of an opportunity for the children to grow in the Christian faith through the youth ministry. My fellowship with the Leith home group has also been very inspiring. We have been accepted into this group and have been so supported and encouraged which has made the transition process warm. On Sundays, the manner in which the word of God is presented and shared has also developed our walk with God.
How did you come to know Jesus personally?
I have always known of Jesus being a redeemer since I was born into a Christian family. However I never had a personal relationship with Him until about 1990 after I graduated from the university. During my university years I kept up my Christian faith but it was quite on the periphery. I attended Church and professed the Christian faith but there was no desire to know Him more or to search the Scriptures. I got introduced by a friend to a Pentecostal church in Nigeria and it was there that I started understanding that there was more to knowing Jesus in a personal way as my Lord and Saviour. At about the same time, I came to an understanding about some of the challenges my mother was facing as a wife and mother. These things caused me to pray and to believe and trust God.
What helps you to grow in your Christian life each day?
The Lord enables me to grow in my Christian faith through the opportunities for learning that come my way as life happens day by day. On Sundays I am fed as the Word is preached and taught in Church. During the week, home group and the daily devotional that I use and the radio programmes on UCB2 also develop my faith walk. Songs of worship and praise are also avenues for development. Our favourite song as a family is 10,000 reasons by Matt Redman.
What brings you joy?
My life with my children brings me a lot of joy - seeing them mature and succeed brings me unmeasurable contentment.
A sense of making a difference and being a positive influence gives me fulfilment and this is why I have chosen social care work as a career path.
A close relationship with God, a stimulating time of worship or hearing the word brings me joy.
And I just love being in the house, preferably with a real fire lit, reading a book, and with all the children in the same room doing their bits and pieces!
What food from Nigeria do you love to cook?
Ogi with Akara is a dish I just love cooking and sharing with friends. Ogi is a sort of porridge or custard made from maize flour whilst akara is fried bean balls.
What is your favourite verse in the Bible that is a blessing to you?
I am constantly encouraged by Scriptures that say I need not fear, I need not be anxious, I need not worry – because “It is well with my soul.” Psalm 103: 17 says “From everlasting to everlasting, the Lord’s love is with those who fear Him and his righteousness with their children’s children.” Romans 8:28 says “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose.” These and many other verses are a wonderful help to me.
