16 Years Of Barrenness Crushed! - The Akande Story

We hear about it always; the barren woman who could not give birth and her husband marries another woman or the woman that was rudely thrown out of her marital home after being accused of witchcraft which was the obvious cause of her infertility. One even hears of couples going to consult the traditional witch doctor or going to questionable churches to receive prayers and meditation undergoing all sorts of grueling task all in the name of their search for the fruit of the womb. This scenario is the most popular plot of almost every Nollywood movie, everyday market gossip and gist on the street corner.

Pastor Robert Akande and his lovely wife Pastor Mrs. Titilayo Joanne Akande were blessed with a set of twins after 20 years of marriage. They have both been ordained as ministers of the gospel and have been full time ministers since 1994. They are also both from Ososo in Akoko Edo local government of Edo state Nigeria.

Handsome twin boys Gabriel and Michel came into the world on December 20, 2009. Months after their arrival the couple still say that it feels like a dream. Gabriel is the first his language name is Otegbiase means he has brought laughter. As his name implies he is a cheerful child who laughs a lot. Strong willed he does not take no for an answer and ensures he gets attention when he is hungry or tired. Michael his brother is named Osarome which means God has remembered me. He is the opposite of his brother and tends to be quiet and serious most of the time. He sports a military man kind of look and smiles after most coaxing. They are very lovely children who don’t cry or fuss much.

Parenthood they say is a exhilarating experience. True it is hectic and has completely altered their lifestyle but it is so fulfilling. The couple agrees that it is an awesome responsibility but watching their twin boys has taught them valuable lessons on dependency. Little children do not worry about anything they simply call out and whatever they are calling for will be given to them. That is what Jesus wants us to do; he said we must receive the kingdom of God like little children. Watching their little angels has made scripture came alive and having twins to them made up for those lost years which has made the testimony sweeter and special. The Akande’s still plan to have more, one or two by the grace of God.
 

The couple both testified that the thought of remarrying, going to a traditional doctor or adoption was never an option as practical bible believing Christians. However adopting children came up a few times.

Years earlier in the early 90’s when they were courting they spoke about what they would want their family to look like just like any other couple and they planned on three to four children. Two boys one girl or two boys and two girls. As the years slowly elapsed after marriage and their dreams of a family were far from becoming a reality they leaned more on the word of God imploring for help. As any female who desired a family Titilayo was often worried but her husband was a great encourager to her and by continuously demonstrating his love and affection for her everyone around knew that they still loved each other dearly with or without children.

The missionary nature of their ministry usually took them outside Nigeria where there was little pressure from their families. However their families were very supportive and understood with them a very rare situation in Nigeria. They encouraged them despite the fact that they were obviously concerned. The couple both testified that the thought of remarrying, going to a traditional doctor or adoption was never an option as practical bible believing Christians. However adopting children came up a few times but they concluded that they must have their own before adopting. They believed that what God cannot give no babalawo would give either. 

Three years into their marriage the childlessness became an issue. Together they searched the scripture and found comfort in the word of God. They read related books and testimonies of those that had the same challenge, prayed and fasted as a couple. Selected fathers in faith stood by them in prayers and encouragement as well as their families and loved ones. They constantly went to the hospital to check what the problem was and to seek solutions.

The years of childlessness was not something that the Akande’s dreamt of but they did not allow it to affect their ministry or their relationship with their Savior. They never lost hope that they would remain childless and together they took it as a challenge that children of God face in their journeys through life. Church members still believed in the grace of God upon their life even without biological children and they were often called to minister to barren women and they become pregnant. During times like this they would go back to God to remind him that He who waters shall be watered also. In the midst of it all, they were convinced that God would put a smile on their face.

"In the last three month before this miracle pregnancy, I was vigorously confessing these scriptures between 30 to 50 times in the morning and doing same in the evening. It was hectic and challenging but I did this without fail." 

When they got the news they were filled with joy and excitement. There was no fear at all. They gave thanks to God and committed the nine months to His hands knowing that He who started it will definetly finish it. God instructed us to keep silent about the pregnancy until It was 31 weeks pregnant. No one knew except for a couple of people that we trusted to pray alongside us. The glory that God has received over the arrival of these children will not have been if they had come much earlier. They believe that the children were born in due season!

Robert and Titilayo’s Tips- For couples going through similar situations ensure that your faith in God is not shaken. Trust God until He manifests himself. Prayer and fasting is inestimable asset. You and your spouse MUST be united and must not give in to pressure from family and in-laws. This may sound incredible but the pressure from family and in-laws is a product of how the couple lay their bed. Seek medical advice and help because knowing what is wrong enables you to do so more specifically and correctly. Seek medical advice because there is nothing biblically wrong about medicine. Medical discovery is a blessing from God, He has given man the knowledge to discover such procedures and if God chooses to work through medicine he should receive the glory.

Confessions before the arrival of my twin-boys

During our period of waiting and trusting God for my miracle twin-boys for a period of more than 16 years, I engaged in a word warfare as my of my faith in God’s word. The bible says in Romans 10:8, 10

8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Declare

I was confessing God’s word sparingly in the past. However in the last three month before this miracle pregnancy, I was vigorously confessing these scriptures between 30 to 50 times in the morning and doing same in the evening. It was hectic and challenging but I did this without fail. Indeed the scriptures cannot be broken. It has produced for me.

These were my confessions:

1. For my shame I shall have double Isaiah 61:7

2. I am as a fruitful vine by the sides of my husband’s house: my children like olive plants round about our table. Psalm 128:3

3. The LORD hath sworn in truth unto Pst Robert and I; He will not turn from it; Of the fruit of our bodies will I set upon thy throne. Psalm 132:11

4. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. Rom 8:2 Therefore, sickness, low sperm count, low quality eggs, block tubes, barrenness of what of whatever shall not have dominion over my husband and I. Such shall not reign in our bodies anymore. Roman 8:14

5. The seed of my husband and I will God establish forever, and build up our thrones to all generations.

6. The Lord makes me to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Psalm 113:9

7. I cannot have fibroids, I have fine boys. Matt 11:23


Rev Robert and Titilayo Akande are based in Capetown, South Africa