The words came to me like a relief
material comes to a displaced person in pains. Not that I was ever displaced but
I knew what it meant when someone tells you through practical means that there
is hope for tomorrow. I haven’t had peace of mind nor known happiness for so
many years now. It has been a series of pain for me. Justly I didn’t know where
else to run to. Crime came calling but the consequences beeped to my face every
time I think about it. I have borrowed beyond my reach. I needed a bail out
else I will be bullied out of my neighbourhood soon. I owed all that was
selling in kiosk and small shops; neighbours, both friends and foe had my name
in their creditor’s list. I wasn’t ashamed any longer thus I became hopeless.
I wasn’t just jobless…. I was
unemployable. I have squandered life beyond repairs. While growing up; I created
a delusional life that never existed. I lied beyond my reach. I didn’t expect
nature to catch up with me so soon. When it did eventually everyone I once lied
to, I had to confess to later. I became so remorseful as if they could help but
when most of them knew about how well I’ve lied to them; they distanced
themselves the more.
Two things the kiosk owners never
complained about when you plan to owe in my slum neighbourhood is cigarette and
pure water. (Sachet water). I have survived on these commodities for days now. The
luxury of adding weight was lost. What I was considering was not loosing more
than this. Old friends saw me and said I have trimmed extremely and I laugh
within as if they ever saw me in any gym. Situations trim you faster than any
coach. One will loose weight both physically and spiritually.
One day after watching the arsenal vs Chelsea match,
one of the guys we watched it together at the viewing center called me aside
and told me he wanted to talk with me. He had earlier bought me two bottles of
HERO beer, a luxury I seldom grasp…….. He told me he was impressed with my
analysis and that with my intonation it was obvious condition kept me here. He will
like me to come to his church the next day for a week day service, maybe we can
continue from there. As he was ending the statement he brought out two thousand
naira for transport. Then tears started dropping from my eyes.
I haven’t held that amount of money
in eight months and suddenly someone I didn’t know from Adam just handed it
over to me in a view to help me………. I knew God has opened my case. Immediately he
tried to pet me into stopping the tears party, the spirit of falsehood came
over me again and lies rolled out of my mouth like I was speaking in tongues. It
got to a stage I stopped and told him we will see tomorrow. He was so convinced
about my lie that he added an extra two thousand naira. I walked him to his car
as he gave me his card. I had no phone thus I was going to call him. I was so
happy but there was another problem. There was nowhere to buy things to eat and
drink in my neighbourhood. I had bills to pay at all joints. Some didn’t even
want to see me again. I had to use one of my friends that has a worse situation
than me to achieve this feat of satisfying myself that night. Before I went to
bed I had squandered two thousand naira.
I woke up the next morning with a terrible
hangover. I needed to visit the bush for toileting but it was raining. I tried
sleeping again but my tummy won’t permit. It wasn’t used to yesterday’s luxury
thus it needed to expel some. I looked around the corner and saw Susan’s
umbrella. We are not on talking terms because of ordinary N9000…… I sneaked to
pick it up and off I went to the nearest bush to expel the waste product.
As I was there I started thinking about
Jeffery. How he was dipping his hands in his pocket to bring out money
yesterday. I asked myself one question……… what’s it about his church that he
wanted me to come and see or experience. Anyway I will go.
By the time I got back home Susan has
left the house. I kept his umbrella back where I saw it but another neighbour
knew I was the one that took it. There will be commotion when she comes back
but I will be in church by that time thus I wasn’t bothered.
I tried all the combination of
clothes I had and none looked presentable enough to wear to that kind of
church. At the end of the day I fell back on my traditional attire. I used it
for weddings and burials alone. Strictly for functions. Look a little tidy else
you might never eat rice. The program begins by 6.30pm; I was there before
5.30pm. I trekked from the house to save the remaining change with me but I miscalculated
the distance thus I was so early. Jeffery was very happy to see me and in ten
minutes he has introduced me to forty people in the church. I was ushered to a
seat in front and smiles surrounded me like I was in heaven. I looked around
and beauty overshadowed my thinking and for once in the last ten years I had no
problem. The ambience alone was a solution.
I was lost in thought until she
tapped me….. Are you expecting someone or I can sit? I removed my bible expressly
and the best curves in a woman sat next to me. She dropped her bag on the floor
in front of her as she knelt to worship God. She prayed so well that I knew I was
in the right place. I knelt down also but in two minutes I was done with the
prayer. The truth is…… I have lost all relationship with the FATHER.
The Church
Not just a place of worship. It’s really
supposed to be God’s house on earth. From the ushers to the protocol officers
and all workers I saw that day, they carry a glory that solves problems. When I
stepped into the church; depression left from the entrance. The beauty of the
place was they seem problemless. It took thirty minutes for the church to get
filled and the choir started ministration. It was a beauty to behold. I knew I was
at the right place. All the ladies could be my future partner but I needed to
be part of them first. I knew no song but for the help of the projector I followed
suit. I murmured when I didn’t get the tune and the breakthrough session
started when the choir mistress or so said hold your neighbour. I stretched my
hands to hold the beautiful damsel beside me but she threw her hands over my
shoulder. I felt like crying one more time. I thought Jeffery showed love
before but with this act of hers, I was home……… and in my mind I gave the
church a name “LOVE”
No comments:
Post a Comment