My First Breakthrough as a Young Christian

To understand completely, unfortunately the whole story must be told from the beginning. It started back in September 2020. Long story short, I applied for BSc. Biomedical Technology while waiting on my other pending applications to be processed.

I started late, had a challenge adapting, told myself that this degree isn’t for me and decided to change my degree, resulting in a leave of absence and change of degree to Biochemistry. I was walked through the process and completed the relevant steps, including informing GATE and refunding the university for tuition, allowing them to cancel my GATE application for that period as they were “yet to receive funds” (GATE funds 75% academic fees). In September 21, I started my degree afresh.

For the most part, everything ran smoothly until the second semester where I failed a Chemistry course. With such results, I contacted the faculty with advice on how to move forward. I was given 2 options – continue with the degree but be extended by a 4th year or change to BSc. Biology as I have the qualifications, and upon further questions, I found out that with my BSc., I can do specialization courses in my last year. I chose the second option. I again questioned the procedure, where I was guided to proceed with my transcript reflecting Biochemistry, and only in the middle of my final year, apply for a degree change so that it reflects on my final degree, BUT do not inform GATE.

The consequences weren’t listed; nothing further was explained and neither did I have any guidance as I’m the first in my family to attend university. So I did what I was told. Also note that my parent mainly pays the 25% of tuition near the end of the semester/at the beginning of the new semester.

Fast forward to February 24, the day that my GATE application for semester 1 of my final year declined. I tried not to think much of it and proceeded to reapply. Declined. I decided to call as I thought everything was ok. During February, about a week earlier, advisors were urging me, among my classmates to apply for the change so that our transcripts reflected the specializations.

This was approved in a few short days with the university. During the call, I was informed that my transcript was not displaying the degree that I am registered for, and as a result, I would not be approved until I revert to the original. The information provided on the call was limited so I decided to pay an in-person visit. I was informed that GATE only offers 1 degree change, and this new change would not be acceptable.

I informed them of the guided steps that I was given – the conversation ended on the note that the university’s bursary department and/or student affairs department would have to reach out to said person, explaining the situation and the misguiding. Several calls, office visits, many back and forths, emails transpired as I was approaching April, the commencement of final exams (with the understanding of not being finically cleared would imply ineligibility to complete exams).

At this point, the very frustrated and helpless me said I’ve exhausted all of my options. Weak in faith and what I felt was a severe disturbance in my relationship with God, I said to myself, “This is it. I can’t keeping fighting as there’s no more fight to fight. This is beyond what I can control and only God Himself can help me.”

I’ve never experienced a great miracle in my life by this time. Usually, despite my own prayers, I believe that my educational success was based on my mother’s prayers and that I was incapable of being heard and answered in such ways. But at this point, I had no choice. I felt cornered. Stressed. You name it, I felt it. So, I got up, and I prayed. And I prayed the next day.

As the days drew closer, my prayers became incessant. I struggled to believe even then, but suddenly I remembered the words a preaching, saying, if you believe it and you show that faith by acting as though you’ve already received the blessing, then it’s yours, for the prayers can only get you halfway, but truly believing that God can work that miracle for you is what will fulfill the promise. “For I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it will move” (Matthew 17:20), a verse that I always knew but never truly applied.

Cutting it close, the Sunday before my first exam on Wednesday, I remained calm and continued with faith, unfortunately a tad bit of doubt, but the faith was by then, greater than a mustard seed. I got a call. “Hi, are you Elizabeth …, this is… from the university’s examination sector and I am calling to let you know that you are eligible to participate in your exams starting on Wednesday. Good luck in your studies.” My first miracle.

Fast forward to after exams. I breathed and I felt great. I took some time and celebrated my birthday (2 days after exams) and I relaxed. Several weeks later, I re-emerged the thread of emails, querying an update. I contacted the GATE personnel, university officials because I just couldn’t fathom paying the sum that I am entitled to.

However, in the interim, the devil used someone close to me, someone who I looked up at and their faith, someone who I expected to give me the words of encouragement in believing that God is going to take me through, they began to come up with back up plans. This included having assistance in paying the fee, saving 1/3 of the fee from my part-time job while they and another person source the balance, which I’d repay when I’m stable.

The discouragement soon became my sole thought process. I even began visiting banks and credit unions in an attempt to fund it without the strain on said persons. I eventually resorted to a company loan on the 26th Sept., with graduation in October and persons already receiving invitations and their degrees.

There it was. The total fee. In my account. All I had to do was press send. But the voice in my head shouted, “NO! He did it before. He’ll do it again.” So I took my faith and I ran with it. I resorted to calls, more hectic than last. Emails. Office visits. It was the week before the final day to collect gowns (Tuesday 22nd) and graduation (Thursday 24th). That turned into the Monday before (21st). Imagine the faith. I’m a day away from not being able to graduate, with all the funds in my account that can clear it, but I’m not making the move. And like I predicted, He was gonna try my faith. I knew He was going to wait on the very last minute. And that He did.

Monday around noon, I got THE call. “GATE has accepted to fund your final year’s semester. Go pay your 25% for semester 1 at the bank, send a picture of receipt, apply for GATE semester 1, send screenshots, wait till approval, then apply for semester 2.” My words had changed. Instead of saying “He actually came through?”, I said “I knew it. I knew He’d come through.” I couldn’t wait to tell the person who discouraged me that He did it, and I knew He would.

After some further back and forths, I still wasn’t fully approved to graduate. We all waited on GATE to process the application, until the university decided to let me pay the 25% of semester 2, trusting GATE’s word on their approval. By 3pm on Tuesday evening, I got the email saying “Go collect your gown at the university. You have until 6pm.” Thank you God!

I do have a part 2 to the story as the issues are not over yet…

Following graduation, I finally received approvals for my application with GATE for semester 1. On October 28th I received a receipt as per usual saying that my means test has been approved for 75%. However, a voice said to scroll down on the email. My eyes then drifted to the section “Means Rating Comment” which stated, “Confirm Means Rate: 0.75. Means rate for 1st semester’s application applied annually.”

Drifting eyes then fell on the section “Period” where I would have once put “September 23 – December 23” is now changed to “Sept 23-Aug 24”. I’m no genius but the comment alone made me think that this is a summarized application for the 2 semesters to avoid the hassle and prolonged periods of wait for approval of the second application, considering the uniqueness of the situation and that I’ve already graduated etc. Do keep in mind that due to this outstanding application, I am yet to receive my hard copy degree.

I screenshotted the application results and directed the attention of all attached to the email to the comments, but I still applied for semester 2, which was the response in the end either way. It wasn’t until I called GATE and described the situation, that I received an approval for semester 2 on November 14th high I didn’t hesitate to send. It wasn’t until December that I am reaching out again, for the members to say that I haven’t yet been financially cleared. By this time I’m irritated. The procedure was long. Their communication lacked IMMENSELY from the start of May. I always had to reach out as I’m never being updated and no one is treating the situation as a priority. I eventually burst into fumes. The last thing they said was that they would reach out to GATE for more information. I settled. I breathed. And I’m at it again in February 2025.

At this point, I’m more than annoyed and trying everything in me to keep calm, and that if I am to express frustration, that it’ll be in a respectful manner. I even called GATE myself as the response repeated stated that GATE is yet to approve, despite proof that my applications have been approved, only to hear that GATE has processed all the fees and they have long resolved my issue and did their part – the situation is no longer in their hands.

Imagine my feelings after hearing this. Emails remained unanswered. I eventually contacted the bursary again and I ensured that she left the call with the understanding that I am not taking the excuse of withholding my degree because of GATE related concerns which she ended saying she’d get back to me by day’s end. The next day, I’m AGAIN resorted to calling, and with a lack of pleasantry, I was informed that I can go collect my degree. Unbothered by all that transpired, I finally exhaled and said He did it, and here I am, at the end. On Feb 28th, 2025, I finally collected the paper that cost thousands of dollars with millions of sleepless nights, stress and extreme frustration. And it was impossible without Him.

I’ve actually resorted to telling my testimony because I’ve missed out on occasions of telling my story in church, often times because when the pastor begins a testimony session, he begins by saying they should be brief and to the point, allotting you a limited amount of time and after each mid-lengthy testimony, he re-emphasizes the time constraints. However, due to my inability to share my testimony which I’d accept as my personal fault, I’ve encountered blocks in my paths with the Spirit troubling me to tell my testimony. I understand its importance, and I know that my story can help/encourage someone. How can God bless me again if I keep his breakthroughs a secret?