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Wọnu: This was a member of the same church and ministry. She was there when
both of them were ordained and sent forth into the ministry.
“I wouldn’t have gone to her.” I responded. “Meet her for what? I would have
had a party for being delivered from a charlatan.”
Ọlaọmọ: I couldn’t believe that someone I had held hands with, and prayed
with, someone I had fellowshipped with could do that.
Wọnu: Sister, have you forgotten Judas? What’s the difference?
Ọlaọmọ: Judas was not saved, Mosunmọla is! How can a Christian plot the
downfall of another Christian?
“But what matters is that you are free of such ungodly associations.” I
said. “Imagine going through life thinking such people truly cared for you.”
Ọlaọmọ: I really shook me but after a year, I got over it.
Wọnu: Look at them now, strangers living together, miserable partners.
“That’s usually what happens.” I replied. “When you sow sin, you reap
death.”
Ọlaọmọ: Ariel confessed to me he had cheated on her and he was sure she had
cheated on him. What kind of marriage is that?
“A marriage not founded on God.” I responded. “The foundation of a house decides
the length of time it lasts. He never loved you. It’s a blessing he even told
you himself. Most women find out afterwards.”
Wọnu: He really loved her o. They did love covenant now.
“Love kini (what)?” I asked.
Ọlaọmọ: The first year we decided to get married, we cut our right wrists,
not a deep cut, a light one, just enough to bleed. Then we rubbed our wrists
together so that the blood could mix. We swore in the presence of God and His
holy angels to be faithful to each other for the rest of our lives.
“O my goodness!” I gasped. “That’s unChristian!”
Ọlaọmọ: I know. I have repented and broken any ties I made in my
foolishness.
Wọnu: He used to give me the creeps. There was this funny air about him.
“Maybe that’s what he’s writing about in his note.” I suggested. “About what
date did you both do this?”
Ọlaọmọ opened the note and read it again. Then said,
“No. This date is before we did the covenant. That’s not it.”
Wọnu: Whatever it is, he should just leave you alone. Let him and Mosun keep
their issues.
“Why do people do such things?” I asked. “I see blood as the life of the
flesh. I’m very cautious with blood.”
Wọnu: It’s gullibility. Wọle was involved with a group on campus where they
all drank each other’s blood. Thank God his pastor wasfirm on deliverance. In
his church in
Nigeria,
before one could join helps ministry, one had to go through deliverance.
“I like that.” I commented. “That way there are no unnecessary surprises.”
Wọnu: Thank God he did not have any blood infection. That was a sure way of
transmission.
Ọlaọmọ: Oh sweet Jesus, I remember, it’s the necklace.
Wọnu: His mother’s necklace?
Ọlaọmọ: Yes. That’s the only thing it can be. He gave me his mother’s
necklace. He wanted me to wear it for the traditional wedding.
“You had even fixed a date?” I asked.
Wọnu: Yes they had. The wedding was six months away and he cancelled it.
“That does seem really strange.” I responded. “Maybe he was bewitched.”
Wọnu: Bewitched or not, he was no longer committed. Many people spoke with
him. He almost abused their pastor.
“I am a firm believer that witchcraft, spiritism, spiritualism and the like
can only influence decisions.” I responded. “It cannot control decisions. As
Wọnu mentioned earlier, he was lustful. There was something in Mosunmọla he
desired that an evil influence, if present, built on.”
Ọlaọmọ: I still think that it was fear. He was afraid I would die because I
was a sickler. He kept on saying if you die, what will happen to me?
Wọnu: That was just a smokescreen.
Ọlaọmọ: Not really. He had lost two sisters before, so I understand his
sensitivity. His two sisters, Rebecca and Rachel died from complications of
sickle cell disease. Only his four brothers, Michael, Gabriel, Uriel and
Raphael are left. Two of them have the sickle cell trait.
Wọnu: All their so so bible names, na wa.
Turning to me she said “I used to tease my sister that if she had a girl she
should call her Jael and if a boy, Joel, so that it will rhyme with Ariel. Ha!
Ha!”
“Sounds more like angel names to me.” I put in. “Usually those I know that
bear angel names are members from these white garment churches. Did his parents
ever attend such a place?”
Ọlaọmọ: O yes. He and his siblings were all born there. It’s lately he told
me that his mother now attended a Pentecostal church.
“Ha, that explains it.” I commented. “I have first hand experience with
that. There’s a lot of spiritism and spiritualism going on there. Praise God
for your deliverance.”
Wọnu: Thank you Derbrah. The man backslid, that’s all. A serious Christian
would run to God no matter what. He was running to pleasures of the flesh.
“It’s important to test the spirits.” I continued. “Many places put up a
church sign, teach the bible and pray to Jesus but it’s really Satan in
disguise. Through the litmus test of the word of God, the truth is revealed.”
Ọlaọmọ: I know such groups have a lot of religious spirits and familiar
spirits.
“Yes. They do.” I responded. “Emissary Paul was very clear on what to do
with deceiving spirits.”
Ọlaọmọ: I think I should call him. But what does he need the necklace for?
It’s been so long ago. I don’t even know where I put it. I must have thrown it
away or something.
Wọnu: Don’t call him. Then he’ll find something else to say. Send him an
email.
Ọlaọmọ: Alright. I’ll send him an email. Now I’m curious about what I did
with that necklace. I’ll call my parents to help me search my stuff back home.
“Pray about it.” I suggested. “I am one for using prayer as a searchlight.
It always works.”
Ọlaade who had been resting quieting in his mama’s arms began to coo. Then
he suddenly flashed a smile. He was just too cute. As I looked into his eyes, I
put my finger into one of his hands and he grabbed it.
“Nice reflex.” I said.” I just love the way babies hold on to whatever
they’re given.
Wọnu: I love the way his mouth continues to suck, even after he’s stopped
feeding.
Ọlaọmọ: His nose is the loveliest part of him. That’s what I love the most.
Wọnu: So that’s why you fell for Patrick. He does have a cute nose. I see.
Ọlaọmọ: I did not fall o, I was sitting down when he proposed.
We all laughed.
“Well,” I said teasingly, “so he was the one that fell.”
Ọlaọmọ: Oh no. He heard God’s voice very clearly. God told him I am the one.
Wọnu: And God told you after you checked Patrick’s blood genotype and
discovered he did not have sickle cell, and also after Patrick consented to in
vitro fertilization.
Ọlaọmọ: God’s wisdom is multi-faceted. He speaks in actions of others, not
just in words.
“Wọnu,” I started, “she got you there. You can’t dispute that.”
Wọnu: You teachers. You are skilled in twisting words.
Ọlaọmọ: But I’m not lying. It’s the truth.
“Ọlaọmọ, I understand.” I assured her. “Love is of God and God is love. When
two hearts blend, love shines. Your secret is safe with me.”
Wọnu: Derbrah the poet. Are you still writing poems?
“You need to ask?” I began. “Of course I write poems. I grew up with prose
and poetry. Even if I don’t want to write, my friends will make me. In fact I’m
meeting with mama Jade afterwards for a poetry session.”
Ọlaọmọ: Talk of the saint. That’s the woman isn’t she?
I turned to see mama Jade walk in. I confirmed who she was to Ọlaọmọ and
Wọnu and made introductions. It was heartwarming to see how she (mama Jade)
interacted with Olaade. I am looking forward to this time next year when she
(mama Jade) would have her own son in her own arms.
Ọlaọmọ: She’s a very nice woman. Her face is solid.
“She’s a delight to be with.” I responded. “She’s a living testimony that
God’s word works, if one works it.”
Wọnu: I duff my hat to her. She wants to mother a baby at 56. I can never do
that.
Ọlaọmọ: Never say never. All children need is love. God may call on you to
adopt a baby at any age.
Wọnu: She wants to go through pregnancy at old age. That’s unnecessary.
“One man’s meat,” I started, “is another man’s poison. Some desire to give
birth, some do not. Humans are willful beings. I have met young and old women
who never desired to have children. I have met some who desire not to
breastfeed their children. I have met some who never want to give birth to
girls, I have met some who can’t stand boys. We are all different.”
Ọlaọmọ: I have a friend who says that everyone has a measure of insanity,
just like faith. What do you say?
“I say I didn’t read that in the bible.” I responded.
We all laughed.
Wọnu: Derbrah, so what did you do for thanksgiving apart from eat turkey?
“What do you think?” I teased.
As she was about to respond, Ọlaọmọ’s phone rang. We paused for her to take
her call. When Ọlaọmọ was done she announced that Patrick’s sister was calling
to clarify directions to the restaurant. She explained that Lily, Patrick’s
sister was expecting a baby.
“How sweet!” I exclaimed.
Wọnu: Don’t be excited. She’s thinking of having an abortion.
When they saw my disappointed look, they tried to comfort me.
Ọlaọmọ: We’ve tried to explain to her. There’s no use. She maintains that it
is her body and she wants an abortion. She’s only coming to see Patrick because
tomorrow she’s traveling for the holidays and if she doesn’t see him today, she
won’t until next year.
Wọnu: It’s in God’s hands.
I took a sip of my drink and announced, “I think I’ll have some desert. I
think I need something sweet.”
Ọlaọmọ: So how do you maintain your figure if you eat so many calories?
“My boys are healthy and active.” I replied. “They’re my exercise trainers.
I can’t be overweight for another 20 years.”
Wọnu: By that time you won’t care about weight.
Ọlaọmọ: Or you’ll be too used to your hectic lifestyle to quit. I always
have to watch my weight. I think I got it from my mum. I can’t eat the asaro
you ate and ice cream without going on a diet for two days afterwards.
Wọnu: I can eat whatever I want, I’m eating for two.
“You should still get your exercises though.” I stated. “Breastfeeding is
not an excuse to become lazy.”
Wọnu: I walk once a week. That’s enough exercise.
Ọlaọmọ: I’m going softly on you because it’s just been six weeks. Once you
hit three months, I’m going to let you walk three times a week and do aerobics
for 30 minutes, twice a week.
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| 31.12.2007 09:13