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As I parked my car outside Mama Jade’s, I wondered why she summoned for me. This must be a major issue due to the urgency in her voice. I don’t recall ever hearing her sound so distressed. I overheard her saying goodnight to the bartender as I entered the restaurant. It was almost closing time. She greeted me and we went into her office.
Mama Jade: Thanks for coming Derbrah. I need some edification tonight. I’m sad and angry.
She went on to explain to me that she had just discovered that Joyin was not her brother’s biological daughter. Joyin’s mother, her brother’s widow, Simi had given her the news yesterday. She told me of the agreement Simi and Jare, her brother, had made. Apparently, Jare was unable to bear children. One of his friends had donated his sperm which led to Joyin’s conception. Simi had shown mama Jade the original contract made eighteen years ago. Simi was visiting from
Nigeria for her daughter’s eighteenth birthday after which she planed to share the family secret.
Mama Jade: I can’t believe Jare kept such a secret from the whole family. He didn’t tell me. He didn’t even tell dad, or JJ.
I listened attentively and she continued.
Mama Jade: JJ (Jimi junior, Jeyọ’s dad) was the administrator of the house. Whatever he says goes. He was the reason Jare did not tear Jaye apart after his gross misconduct to Joyin. JJ could have given them a better solution.”
“So Jadun’s father was named Jaye.” I stated.
Mama Jade: Yes he was. JJ, Jeyọ’s father was the first. Jaye, second, Jadun’s father. Jọrọ was the third, Jola’s father. Jeje, Jayo’s father, the fourth, and Jare the fifth, Joyin’s father. Daddy likes letter J. All our names begin with J. Even his grand children. Daddy named all of them.
“I see. Thank you.” I responded. “Now I have a clearer picture of everyone.”
Mama Jade: Anyway, I’m really disappointed that Jare did not run this by JJ before choosing sperm donorship. He didn’t tell me as well, yet we were so close. He was just a year older than I was so we were really tight. I can’t believe he went through the pain of infertility by himself. When I had my miscarriages and hysterectomy, everyone was there for me. He and Simi kept this all this while. It’s infuriating.
She took a sip of her water and continued.
Mama Jade: Now Simi wants me to be there while she tells Joyin. The poor girl has been through a lot. She’s finally past the violation of her youth, has gotten a godly boyfriend, has graduated from high school, is prepared to go to bible school, and now this. Joyin was so crushed when Jare died. She mourned him for weeks. Now she may have to go on a search to find out who her biological father is. Who knows what she’ll discover? My poor baby.
“Sometimes when it seems like someone has too many trials, it’s because of Satan’s persecutions. I stated. “Joyin is very dedicated in her spiritual walk and I won’t be surprised if God has anointed her to preach His word. The Devil of course wishes to distract her from focusing on God. So he throws distractions continually. This is just one more distraction to breed discouragement. He won’t succeed. She is covered by the blood of Jesus and she is more than conquerors through our Lord.”
Mama Jade: I don’t think this is Satan, or at least, Satan is not to blame for all of this mess. This is Jare my brother being selfish. How could he and Simi devise such wickedness? This is adultery. They had no right receiving that kind of donation. There are so many issues they did not consider. Now I have deal with their mess.
She took another sip of water and asked if I wanted anything to eat or drink. I shook my head in refusal.
“God’s grace is more than sufficient for you and Joyin in this situation. We’ll go to Him for counsel and strength.” I started. I picked up the framed photograph of all the girls on her desk and muttered, “I used to think all your daughters were teenagers. I was impressed to know that Jeyọ was in her mid twenties. They all look young and healthy. You’re doing a very good job.”
Mama Jade: Thanks my dear. Sorry I am not very good company right now. This is just heart wrenching. I have so many thoughts in my head. My heart is heavy.
I reached out and touched her hand in assurance. I looked around her office and commented on the décor. Then I saw it, the on the wall, framed. I pointed at the poem, Two or three. “You really love that poem.” I stated. “I see you’ve framed it.”
Mama Jade: Yes I do. Poems are therapeutic. She showed me a mug with another poem on it.
I read the last verse of the poem aloud;
Of men I fish
Warning of sin
For all who are sick
My message, good news
Filled with healing
Wisdom and truth
Proclaiming Christ, our Peace
In Him alone we’re redeemed
He has made us
God’s very own sons
Life is bliss
His grace we relish
“Isn’t that so true?” I responded. “We belong to God. We are His sons. He is on our side. He will never leave us nor forsake us. His plans for us are good not evil. His thoughts towards us are thoughts of peace and prosperity. He is our shield and buckler. He is our refuge and strength. Thank you Lord.” Then I asked, “How’s Jeyọ with discovering her ministerial gift?”
Mama Jade: My baby is still struggling. She appears undecided. Finding out her desires, calling, and ministry is proving to be a challenge. She is planning to go to a prayer mountain after Joyin’s birthday this weekend.
“I know how important that is.” I said. “It took me a while to confirm which desire in my heart was from God, which one was from my recreated spirit, which one was from my flesh and which one was from the Devil. Apostle Peter said to give due diligence to make one’s calling and election sure. It’s a process.”
Mama Jade: I hope she speeds up the process. She’s not getting any younger. She’s going to be 27 years in October and she has no desire to remarry or settle down. All she talks about is ministry. Family is more important.
“She’s the one that lost her baby right?” I asked.
Mama Jade: Actually she lost two babies. She’s been a widow as well as a divorcee. She was telling me the other day that our family tree is full of sin and death and everyone should go through deliverance.
“Hmmm.” I responded. “She may have a point.”
Mama Jade: Well, yes and no. These things happened when we were in the world and it should be expected. We are now in the church and in Christ, and in God. We are already delivered.
“That’s true too.” I responded. “The only piece is many of us Christians are being cheated of our rights and blessings in Christ. This is mainly due to the irresponsibilities of our Christian leaders who taught us lies and told us it was truth. Many of us used to think we were under a curse. It also shows that many Christians are not willing to question the status quo. God tells us to study to show ourselves approved unto Him. Simple study will stir up knowledge. It is our responsibility to fight for our spiritual rights. The default is sin and death. Through the redeeming blood of our Savior we exchange that for life.”
Mama Jade: Thank God He is not only life giving but darkness destroying and joy restoring. He restores what the cankerworm and palmerworm has eaten. Ignorance made me perish. If I wasn’t such an ignorant Christian, I would not have married six times, had three miscarriages and had a hysterectomy. However, the Balm in
Gilead has restored everything. Yud-Heh-Vav-Heh Shammah has restored. Like the testimony of Job, my end is greater than my beginning.
“What a blessing. God is just awesome. Restoration too is a process and time is involved.” I started. “I..” I stopped when I noticed the gleam in mama Jade’s eyes. “What do you want to tell me?” I asked.
She got up from her seat, walked to her adjoining bathroom and brought out a sanitary towel.
Mama Jade: This is what I want you to give me for my birthday in October.
I smiled in amusement as I wondered what the joke was, then the reality dawned on me and I screamed in excitement, “Our faith has manifested! Your womb has been recreated!” I watched her grin from ear to ear as I jumped up from my chair and gave her a beary bug. After the tears of joy I shed was wiped and I settled down, she explained.
Mama Jade: It was in June. I saw my period. I was super delighted. I decided to wait till July, then I went to my doctor. All she could say was, “It’s a miracle.” Then I told Zachary and he wants us to move the wedding forward because he wants to play ball with our boys before he turns sixty. That means no honeymoon. We’re starting a family right away.
“Wonderful.” I proclaimed. “God is just wonderful. He is so faithful. When did we pray? Was it two years ago?”
Mama Jade: It was three years ago. Every month, especially around the time when I used to have my period, I thanked God that He recreated my womb and I would bear my own children. Everytime I watched you breastfeed your sons, I used you as a point of contact that I too would get a chance to breastfeed my own baby.
“Hallelujah! Is there anything too hard for God?” I stated. “No, there is nothing too hard for God. I am encouraged. You asked me here to encourage you but you’ve ended up encouraging me. This is a blessing. This is health to the bones.”
Mama Jade: That’s why I asked you here. We need to pray together. I don’t want this news to devastate Joyin. Whatever decisions she makes from this news, I don’t want a negative impact on her life.
“Then let us pray together.” I affirmed softly. “For where two or three are gathered together in His name, there He is, and if two of us shall agree as touching anything on earth, it shall be done for us in heaven and at the mouth of two or three witnesses, let every word be established.”
So we joined hands and prayed in one accord. Knowing that God, the One Who loves us more than we love ourselves listened and answered.
Derbrah writes courtesy of Agape for All Ministries. Author retains copyright.
Jadesọla’s restaurant is a drama ministry of the Yoruba Christian Women (YCW), an international faith-based non-governmental, not-for-profit organization. Similarity of names and stories are coincidental. Feel free to copy for non-commercial use. Commercial use requires permission. For more information on YCW write Jesutoyin Ajikẹ-King (toyinking@yahoo.com).
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Posted by Robot| 08.08.2007 19:17