Øgbanjé. Part 8.
My husband was discharged from the hospital the next day.
We went back to the house.
Our house became unusually quiet. The usual midnight jokes my husband and I usually shared was abruptly stopped. The smiles, the laughter, the hugs, the kisses, the compliments… Everything met their premature dèath. Nothing interesting was allowed in our home.
After mustering so much courage, I told my husband about my encounter at the market.
He wasn’t even interested.
“I don’t care about anything anymore. I’m ready to meet God at this point”. He told me straight without flinching.
My heart broke.
I informed him about bringing the pastor home for prayers but he cleared me straight and warned me not to bring any “nuisance” into his home.
I didn’t really blame him. I know how he felt better than anyone else
I secretly met with the pastor. My mother traveled to Lagos with him. We met at my sister’s house.
After laying down the necessary preparations, we went into fierce prayer.
“Arise oh Lord and let my enemies be scattered. Do not be silent oh Lord lest my enemies rejoice over me. You are the Lord that faileth not”. I prayed out vîølently.
Our prayers shook the whole compound.
“I see an aggrieved mad woman”. The pastor said in the middle of the prayer session.
“Thank you Jesus. Omeihekwu Jesus I worship you!”. I screamed.
“She vowed to make you love her or else you will never know peace”.
I fell to my knees. My whole body was vibrating.
“How do I appease her?”. I asked crying.
The pastor blasted into a loud tongue.
The whole room got heated up.
“You can never meet her”. The pastor dropped the bombshell.
I started wailing uncontrollably. I threw myself to the ground and wept.
“This is not the time for tears. Since the day of John the Baptist, the kingdom of God suffereth viölence and only the vîølent taketh it by force “. The pastor admonished.
“Speak sir. I’m ready to do anything to make this pain go away “. I cried.
The pastor kept praying. My mom and sister were not left out. I couldn’t even match the intensity of their prayers. They all prayed more than I.
“Weep no more. Your deliverance is near “. The pastor said.
“Speak to me, I’m ready to sacrifice my life to deliver my family”. I pledged.
“You have to embark on a 10days dry fasting and prayers. For ten days, your mouth should only taste food and water only by 8pm. You must do works of charity during this ten days. No day should end without you blessing someone. Be kind to others and spread love. Only then you will overcome the evil one”. The pastor concluded.
We prayed some more before the pastor left.
My mother informed my other siblings and they all contributed money to help me with my work of charity. I was even wondering where I would get money from 😭.
“What a lovely family I’ve got”.
I informed my husband about the prophecy and instructions but he was completely indifferent. He asked me to do whatever rocks my boat.
The next morning, I started the first day fast. I almost dîed of hunger. My head ached badly. My throat was completely dry the whole day.
Still, I went into the market and put a smile on the face of a woman who was selling drinks and water. She almost knelt down in appreciation. I told her all I wanted was for her to beg God to have pity on me and my household. You needed to hear her pray for me.
I continued again the next day. I cooked food and took it to the prison. I only cooked for ten people. They were so happy. I also asked them to pray the same prayers I asked the first woman to pray.
I continued like that for the next days. I visited the hospital, police station, schools, etc. I blessed people and they’ll prayed for me.
It wasn’t easy but I put all my mind to it. I kept on pleading forgiveness from God because all these started because I didn’t allow a random person touch me.
I was really desperate for an answer.
On the 8th day, something spectacular happened.
To be continued.
Written by the best, Judith Onyoyibo
