Episode 17
"Continue what you were saying before the coackroach interrupted." Selina said.
"Haba na, you don't call a whole human being cockroach na, that's not good o." Deborah said.
"Will you now be fighting over an unknown man ni?" Beatrice said, trying to talk them out of the argument and take their focus back to the hangout and their gists.
"Oya sha continue." Selina said.
"We all got ready for church, wearing our best cloths. One of my mother's rule is that you must give your best to God, which is why we dress well when going to church and that Sunday wasn't an exception."
"Church service that Sunday was wonderful. The choir gave beautiful renditions, soul lifting songs. The atmosphere was solemn, it was like heaven on earth. During the announcements, the pastor announced a special announcement. Every one was keen on hearing the special announcement. Somehow, it appeared it was only our family that wasn't aware of what was going on, until the pastor mentioned that my daddy; brother Jimmy Ali was going to become the pastor of our Ilokoro branch. I was seated close to my mom and she was just shouting 'Jesus'."
"My dad stood from the front sit where he sat and joined the other newly appointed pastors and heads of units at the altar. The Pastor and other elders stood round them to pray for them and thereafter, the congregation was asked to point their hands at them and pray for them as well. I was looking at my mother's face at intervals, but I wasn't sure whether she was happy or angry. She kept a faint smile with a straight face. The way she did her face needs to be studied in school" Beatrice said sarcastically.
"Beatrice you are so funny. So what happened after then?" Deborah calmly said after laughing.
"The service was over. Everyone was greeting my parents, some were praying, while some were encouraging them, that there is a reason and purpose why God is taking us to that branch. It's not like the branch is bad really, but it's kinda far from the main town. I was later told that they moved dad there cause he had a vehicle and also because of his exposure to the things of God."
"The thought of shuttling between the town and the local branch clouded my dad's mind. Mom on the other hand, was a little sad, but she had to surrender to the Will of God. She drew dad close, encouraged him and called us out to pray for God to back up his ministry. Dad was happy that he has a praying family that supports him. He said that he couldn't imagine what he would have done if he came home that night and everyone said they were not going to church again or any thing that could discourage him."
"Days turned into weeks and weeks into months. Dad's work was increasing by the day and he was getting more busy. He decided to get an apartment where he could be staying on Saturdays to make going to church easier for him. Mom was initially against it but later reasoned with dad that getting a place to stay will be a good option."
"Dad eventually got a place, we were lucky to get a room and parlour where we can all be accommodated. Although it wasn't as good as where we lived in, but we knew that it was only dad that would stay over on most days, as the rest of us still needed to attend school in main town as well as mom who worked in a private school."
"Gradually things began to change..."
"For better or for worse?" Deborah asked.
"I'd join you shortly. I want to use the rest room" Beatrice said as she walked towards the rest room.
What happens next?
Watch out for the next episode
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