Charles Emeka By Divine Orchestration

Emeka & I on August 11, 2001

On Saturday August 11, 2001, I walked down the isle into the arms of the man I loved to what I thought would be my happily ever after. I married my friend 11 years ago and Charles Emeka Amamgbo was everything to me. At the time, he played multiple roles in my life. He wasn’t just my friend, he was my best friend. He was like a brother to me, a father figure and someone who I could trust with my life. I walked myself down the isle. God gave us to each other. That day was a powerful new chapter and one I would never forget.

Recently on August 4, 2012, I attended a wedding quite similar to mine. But this time, the Charles Emeka that got married, was sent to me by God in a completely different way. If my late husband were alive, he would have marked another birthday on August 4. how profound.

The other Charles Emeka

As I write this, I am trembling thinking about how profound God is. If I ever doubted the presence of God, I became more convinced that God is real and he really is serious about a relationship with each human being and wants to work through us to fulfill our destiny. I went to London at a time that was next to impossible. Everything that could have been an obstacle was. It was during the Olympic games, a very expensive time to travel, my older son was in an intensive educational program and needed to be shuttled quite a distance daily, my mother who normally would assist me, happened to be in London herself on an unrelated trip. I still had to sort out how my store would be run and be operated during my absence, as well as make provisions for my younger son’s care. Somehow, things worked themselves out in ways I couldn’t have imagined. I just knew had to be there. I couldn’t calm my spirit from the push I kept feeling about being present for Charles Emeka Njoku’s Wedding.

Up until an hour before Charles’ nuptials, I had never met him. I first knew about this man via the Internet. He had reached out to me about 2 years ago after watching a video documentary I had on YouTube in honor of my late husband Charles Emeka Amamgbo. The connections I have made from that video, are simply God’s doing. So many have been moved by watching this 20 minute tribute video I made a year after he passed. I still can’t get over the impact it has had. I received an email from Charles telling me how moved he was from watching this video on YouTube. He was so touched by the tribute he wanted to sow a seed of support for my children. He wanted to assist in anyway he could because he knew that it could not be easy for a widow to go through what I was experiencing. But although I was moved by this kind gesture from someone I had never met, I was cautious. I thanked him in my reply and asked that he continue to pray for me and my sons but not to worry about any monetary support. We remained in contact from time to time after over the phone, email and social media.

At that time, I never knew the impact this man who bears the same name as my beloved would make on my life. He continued to stay in touch with me, pray for me and even inspire me to make something of my life. He told me that God called me for a purpose and that he will turn my tragedy to good and through my life, I would be a blessing to millions. About a year and a half after we first made contact, he asked me what I wanted to do with my life. I told him that in addition to running my store, caring for my kids and pursuing some business interests, I was working on a book based on my life, especially on how losing my husband affected me and how I was recovering and rebuilding. I could instantly sense something change in the tone of his voice. He said, “Queen, you must write this book. This is what my spirit is telling me. This is your destiny unfolding, don’t play with it.”

Writing this book, The Reconstruction & Transformation of Queenkay,

My First Published Book

was truly the toughest journey I had ever been through. Having to re-live all those memories good and bad and to know that I would never ever see my beloved alive again hurt in a way I cannot express. I can truly say without a shadow of a doubt that Charles Emeka Njoku gave me the hope and courage I needed to finish that race. He believed in me when nobody (even me) believed I could do it. I don’t know what it was or how it came to be that our paths crossed but it did in the most profound way. Several months later, I called him to say that I had finished the first draft and I would like him to read it. He was thrilled that I had finally taken myself seriously enough to finish what I had started. I asked him to write the foreword and he agreed to do so. Of course, along the way of getting to know him, I found out he was a multi faceted entrepreneur, life coach, motivational speaker and a published author of several books. I found out he had been a troubled juvenile and was doing all he could to influence the youth not to go down the path that would lead them to drugs, jail or being murdered. This was a man on a mission. I love people who are passionate about what they believe in. He reminded me of my Charles. He was dedicated to the cause. Wow!

So it came to pass that I published my first book and have co-written another and working on a few other writing projects. My life is rich with unlimited possibilities and I have witnessed first hand how one life can change another. I am still not yet comfortable when people express to me just how much reading my book or my inspiring write ups on social media and my blogs encourage and motivate them. I feel I unwrap my gifts everyday with the precious life I have. I have the confidence that since I hit rock bottom, the only place to go is up! So I am on the RISE.

A few months ago, Charles called me to tell me he was getting married on August 4, 2012 and he would love it if I came. He told me he had told so many of his family members about me and I must be there. The odds were all stacked up against my being at this event. But, this was perhaps the only way I could show my deep appreciation for the lifeline he had thrown me. So many people participated in my healing process but God used Charles to help me step into the next chapter of my life. His words to me about why I must write this book haunted me until I published it. He said, “Queen, your life and your future depends on you writing this book. You can’t change or impact anyone’s life by holding unto this blessing. You can’t even begin to live the next chapter of your life if you don’t write this book. You will be a better mother for writing this book. You will marry again, but even the man won’t come until you finish this book. You have to give the past a befitting burial so that the next chapter will be better than the last. You don’t know the lives you will change and impact if you don’t finish this book” I pondered these words I finished writing the book but I sat on it for a few more months. I knew how hard it was to put somethings down in writing. I cried for several hours and days after I wrote about some painful experiences. How could these things possibly bless anyone? Who was this man anyway? How dare he harass me with these words?

Fast forward to his wedding day and I found out who he was and why he was the way he was. As my mum and I stepped into the church, in the foyer, I spotted the back of his head and I told mum, “that’s him. I recognize him from the pictures online.” I went closer and tapped him on the shoulder, “Hello brother Charles, how are you?” he spun around to look at me in face to face. “Wow, my sister, Queen, you are here! I can’t believe it. You are much taller in person.” And this is the true beginning of the next chapter. The last year was a preamble.

Charles Emeka and I ( our first meeting August 4, 2012 )

The wedding was by far the most amazing I had ever been to. Apart from mine, I don’t remember the last time I was a captive participant from start to finish. We didn’t miss a bit. When Caroline, his bride walked in, she took all our breaths away! She was like swan floating on air.

THE BLESSING OF CHARLES AND CAROLINE’S MARRIAGE

The service was lively and fun. The couple danced throughout all the songs that were performed. It was beautiful! The couple’s first kiss was deep and passionate and we joined them as they danced out of the church after the service.

OH THE KISS…

If I think this was amazing, the reception was incredible. There must have been more than 500 people at any given time. The reception hall was big and spacious and well decorated. Everything seemed to flow effortlessly.

My mum commented that Charles reminded her of my late husband. He was heavily involved in making sure that everything went according to plan and that all the guests where happy. Later on when the couple were seated, I spoke about how I came to know him. I don’t know what I said or how I said it, but when I was done, there was not a dry eye in the room. Even the couple were in tears. It wasn’t my intention to make anyone cry. I just wanted to share how real God was to me. I pray that Charles and Caroline live a long, happy & healthy married life. I pray for no illness or death to come between them. I know that Charles is already a great man, he is greatness personified. That God could create another human being who is completely unrelated to the other, with very similar characteristic traits as someone I knew deeply, and that the dates and times could align so perfectly, still baffles me.

I went through the valley of the shadow of death. I am fully alive today. Living each day in God’s divine purpose. I’m not perfect, but I work hard everyday to be the best me I can be. I pray that you never lack someone to come to your aid in your time of need. That there will always be signs and wonders along the way to shine the path for you.

MUM AND I ON THE WAY TO THE RECEPTION.