Benita could not believe her eyes when she approached the gate to her father’s house. Pastor Mrs ifunanya kelvin. Her fellowship leader in school and her mentor. She stood with danladi.
– mama, Benita shouted , running towards her.
– sister Benny. Wow, thank God I found you. Your gate- keeper was just telling me about you. What happened?
– MAMA, its not something I can discuss while standing. I’m very tired and my head aches badly.
– OK, can we go inside?
Danladi replied.
– Arrrgh nooo. Big Oga go purse me commot. Small oga go kill me o. Dey say ah no go allow small madam inside o.
– why? Asked pastor ifunanya. Why would Reverend give such instruction?
– Mama, please, let’s go. Where are you lodged? We will talk when we get there please.
– No, she replied angrily. I need to see daddy. This is totally inhuman. Much less from a renowned minister of God like him.
Reverend drove in immediately.
– (he stepped out of his car) danladi, what’s going on in front of my gate? I pay you to guard my house. Please let me know when you’re tired. What’s the meaning of this? I do not want to see nuisances in front of my gate.
Benita started crying. Pastor Mrs ifunanya faced him.
– daddy good afternoon sir.
– God bless you. He replied.
– sir, you seem not to remember me anymore. I’m ifunanya, Benita’s fellowship leader in school.
– oh, really, wow, so much change. Please pardon my manners just now. How do you do?
– how do you do sir. How is mummy? And the ministry?
– very fine. I bless the Lord for his mercies.
– daddy, with due respect sir, what has Benita done?
– emm, hold it. At this point I won’t be entertaining anymore questions. But if you must know, my own daughter had collided with Satan to pull down my church and to such, I can’t relate with. She has to leave my house and continue with the devil. Have a nice day.
He stepped into the car and drove into the compound asking danladi to shut the gate.
Pastor Mrs ifunanya watched in amazement.
– Jesus Christ of Nazareth. I can’t believe my eyes. Satan you are a liar.
Benita was just in tears.
-Benny, shola called cuddling her. You are the strongest woman I have ever seen. You have fought a good fight, you have kept your faith, there is abundant grace to finish this course.
– sweetheart, pastor ifunanya called. I am here. I will never leave you nor forsake you . Thus says the Lord, be strong, I am with you, It is the set time to mount to glory.
– thank you Jesus. Benita said crying.
– let’s go to my lodge. We are leaving with the first flight to abuja.
– Benny, shola called crying. I will miss you. Please keep me posted. I will try and come and visit.
AT THE HOTEL, Benita told her leader everything. Pastor Mrs ifunanya could not hold back her tears.
– in my 15yrs of serving the Lord, I don’t think I have this kind of faith. You are a heroine. You are about opening a new chapter. You are about entering a new phase. God shall reward your faithfulness and zina will be put to shame
-Amen ma.
IN ABUJA………….
Benita went into ministry. The potter’s glory christen centre knew some one extraordinary came. She turned the youths around.
Power was made manifest when the choir ministers.
Benita’s body started changing. Her pregnancy was beginning to be obvious and people were beginning to ask questions.
One morning, pastor Mrs ifunanya and her husband called Benita.
Pastor Mrs ifunanya started.
– Benny dear , how are you feeling this morning?
– I’m fine ma. (Smiling)
-OK, that’s good. Emmm, we called you because people are beginning to ask how come about your pregnancy.
– pastor kelvin continued, yes Benny. This is what we plan to tell them and we want you to do the same.
We will tell them you are married but your husband died. You only realised you’re pregnant after his burial..
Benita was just looking at the man and woman of God, shocked and surprised.
– mummy, daddy. I’m not sorry to say that I WON’T DO IT. one Sunday, I shall use my story as my message..
– you mean you will tell them…….
– THE TRUTH yes. No matter what, I am not ready to compromise my faith. I will say the truth and nothing but the truth. That’s by the way. Mummy, daddy, the Lord is leading me to hospitals. Any hospital around here?
– yes pastor kelvin answered. Mummy will take you there. Hmmm, Benita, I am amazed at your faith and your uncompromising stand. Keep it up.
To be continued.
