Emi ni tin jẹ Emi ni (I Am that is called I Am )
Olorukọ nla (The One with the great name)
Emi ni maşe bẹru  (I Am do not be afraid)

Olorukọ nla, nla, nla, nla, nla, nla, nla (The One with the great Name)
Oyigiyigiyigiyigi, kabiỌ osi (The lofty One, Who reports to no one)
Ọba to to to to to to tokari aye (The King that covers all the earth)
Emi ni, Emi ni, maşe bẹru (I Am that I Am, do not be afraid)

I joined the ladies in singing the chorus and we introduced ourselves afterwards. I used the restroom and while washing my hands I noticed that the ladies were still there. One of them asked if I was the one that recited a poem at the anniversary celebration of the restaurant. I confirmed that I was. She told me she had been writing poems and would like to develop her gift. I told her all I knew and encouraged her to keep writing. We agreed that she could show me her work at the table.

With a drink of When (my fourth!), I read some of this lady’s poems. I made comments as I read and watched her write them down. I was particularly intrigued by the piece on technology:

Technology
Is not for me
Television
Is the Devil’s box
Internet
Is evilnet
Telephone
Is gossipzone
Facsimile
Is deceitmile
Video
Is whoredome
Vehicle
Is sin-twinkle
Computer
Is perversion center
Technology
Is not for me

She and I exchanged contact details and she looked forward to joining mama Jade’s poetry club. When she left my table, I checked my watch, I had ten more minutes before my next meeting. I decided to walk around the restaurant praying in the spirit. I admired the scenery as I walked and then I saw him, my hero for the afternoon, Adeoye, the new Kitchen director, in a corner, smoking!

I wasn’t sure what the expression on my face was, but by his stammer of “I’m trying to quit” I knew it must have been bad. So we got talking. I wanted to know why such a talented man could not say no to nicotine. His reasons were unjustifiable as far as I was concerned. I upbraided him, and also comforted him. “Drink your own drink” I said. “Everytime the desire to smoke wells up, squelch it by droning down a cup of When and you’ll have energy.”  I watched him crush the remaining cigarette under his feet. “You’re right” he replied “Nothing and no one is worth getting lung cancer for.”

“I glad you remember that your body is God’s temple, He lives inside you because you believe that Jesus Christ is His Son. Cry out to Him for whatever you need. I  came out here to pray as well. I have needs that only God can supply. It is better to pray than to faint.”

We prayed together and I affirmed him by calling him my afternoon hero. He smiled and went inside the restaurant. Igbala and Bẹkọ, my next appointment alighted from the car and I went to meet them.

Both came towards me and greeted me warmly. Then Igbala explained that they could not stay for the appointment. An emergency had come up. They had stopped by to apologise in person. I waved them goodbye after praying with them. Bẹkọlari, the 14-year old who wanted to grow too fast had given me his drawings. He was such a good artist. His story was a little similar to Bolu's. The last born, expected to be a girl but became the fifth boy, ten years younger than Igbala, feeling partially accepted, feeling vulnerable, feeling unappreciated, yet his parents believe they didn't treat him differently from the others. That was fast changing. He began my program a week ago and his dad called to inform me of his change in demeanor, that's one of the blessings of what I do...I participate in the joy of the families when a good turn around occurs, change is possible and visible.

Now that I have another thirty minutes to spare, I better go finish the book I started a day ago. Walking to my car, I noticed a lady standing beside. I greeted her and she inquired if the car was mine. I responded affirmatively and she inquired what the sticker meant. It was a sticker of grafted in - a sign of the Jewish Menorah and the Christian fish, which fused together in the middle formed the star of David. It signified that Jews and gentiles were one in Jesus Christ, or to be more accurate, in Yeshua the Messiah. I introduced myself, she did as well and we began to interact. Her name was Kẹmi.

Kẹmi: It's a nice coincidence that the lady who witnessed to me two days ago wore a necklace with a pendant like that. I gave my life to Christ through her ministry. I wanted to ask her what the sign meant but didn't get a chance. Now that I'm taking a walk, I see it on your car. Thanks for explaining it to me, I'll log online and get one."

I was overjoyed to learn that she had just become a Christian. I gave her a hug and invited her to have a drink of When with me. I explained that  I had just about  five minutes left before my friends would pick me up but I would answer any questions she had.

Kẹmi: Can God make a barren woman give birth?

"Yes He can." I responded. "It's interesting that you're asking this question. The owner of this restaurant was barren, but you'll see her when she comes in the next five minutes to pick me up. She's heavily pregnant. In fact she's in her third trimester. This is a lady that had her womb removed.With God, nothing shall be impossible."

Kẹmi: The lady that witnessed to me said that God forgave all my sins because I believed in the death and resurrection of Jesus. She admonished me to read my bible, pray, go to church, tell anyone I meet about Jesus and try not to sin again."

"She's right. You're like a new born baby in the spiritual realm. Doing those things she told you will help you grow into a spiritual adult."

Kẹmi: I can't have children. It's one of the reasons I've lived a sinful life. Now that I can't sin anymore, I'm faced with the reality that I need something deal with this pain.

Our drinks arrived and I told her, "Start by drinking When, it's an energy drink with no side effects, well, not really, you'll go to the bathroom afterwards."

She smiled and replied "Thank you."

Kẹmi went on to explain her past to me, how a sexually transmitted infection had left her infertile, how she had turned to fornication for comfort. She used to belong to a sex club where members slept with each other weekly, she was sure she had slept with over 250 different men. I realised that that was just about the total number of ethnic groups that Nigeria had. She declared that she was taking a walk because if she had remained at home, her phone would be ringing off the hook from her club members.

Kẹmi: Since God can do anything, He can fix me right?

I explained to her the power in the name, the blood and the word of Jesus Christ. I brought out my bible and showed her that she was now a new creature, she was now a son of God, she was now holy and righteous before God. God had given her authority over sin, sickness and evil spirits.

Mama Jade arrived, went to the restroom and I prepared to leave. After exchanging my contact details with Kẹmi, I promised to give her a call and encouraged her to join a church. I knew the area where she lived so I gave her three church references to try out. Adeoye brought my take away lunch and When six pack but from the look on his face, it was obvious he and Kẹmi knew each other. I still went ahead to introduce them and Kẹmi confirmed that they were acquaintances.

Thankfully mama Jade returned and the tense atmosphere softened as she boasted of Adeoye’s drinks and admired Kẹmi’s figure. I added that it would be nice for Mama Jade to meet with Kẹmi in the near future so that Kẹmi could be inspired by her testimony. I was quick to mention that she was a new Christian. I noticed how Adeoye stirred when he heard that Kẹmi was now saved.

Kẹmi, mama Jade and I left for the parking lot. Kẹmi waved us goodbye and continued her walk while mama Jade and I got into her van. Mama Jade was about to start the van when she remembered some documents she was supposed to take. While I waited for her return, I looked around and saw Titi walking towards the restaurant.

I called her and she came over. We exchanged greetings and I commented on her blouse. “No one would know you have teenagers at home, you’re dressing like one.”

Titi: If I don’t look like those teens, I won’t be able to think like them. The trick is to dress like they dress, read what they read, listen to their music and talk like them. The only thing I won’t do is eat like them.

I laughed and told her to taste When. She promised and left. Adeoye came to the van with a box in his hands, dropping off mama Jade’s stuff. I asked about Kẹmi and he responded that she was one of the reasons he smoked.

“You must change your confession. You no longer smoke. Thirty minutes ago you stopped. Keep saying that.”

Adeoye: Thank you. I no longer smoke. I am an ex smoker. I go to God with my problems, not nicotine. He gave me a hug and went inside.

As he left I mused over the fact that we all had a story to tell. We all had mountains to climb, rivers to cross, houses to build and fields to farm.  I reappraised the fact that on return from this meeting I was going to, I would have to deal with some things I wished I didn't have to deal with. Out of all the thirteen pertinent questions of life, the question of time seemed to be the most frustrating for me. It showed up in everything! First one gets the what and the who, then establishes the why, receives training on the how, then determines the where and finally, the when... time, time, time... the sound of my name brought me back to reality. It was TC! I saw she had parked her motorbike next to my car.

TC: Derbrah, what are you doing in this van? Where are you going?

I explained to her that mama Jade and I had to be at a meeting. We were picking up the JesuJays on our way. We chatted for a while, she told me how tired she had been feeling, I exhorted her to declare scriptures on God's strength, and when mama Jade returned I rounded up our conversation. "Make sure to try the When drink," I told TC, "It will give you energy now."

Mama Jade: I am ready to have these babies. I feel like a mountain!

I smiled, replying that she was beautiful.

Mama Jade: Beautiful but big! My goodness do you know how much I weigh!!

"You have what, two, three weeks left to go? You're doing good."

Mama Jade: Tosin (midwife) says I'm gaining two pounds (one per child) every week. I want them to come tonight!

"They will come at the appointed time."

Mana Jade: That due date is too long. Do you know the calculation is based on ten months. So this is what you went through? Thank God I'm only doing this once. I can't believe my mother did this six times.

"You're doing very well. I am thankful to God for you."

Mama Jade: Thank you but these babies need to get with the program. The time to come is now!

"You and Zachary agreed that they would come on or after their due date. You can't take back your faith now."

Mama Jade: I didn't know how much the last month drained expectant mothers. I would have prayed for another schedule, if I did.

"You prayed for God's schedule and this is it. He has made His grace available for you to enjoy."

Mama Jade: Yes, and His grace can make the baby come tonight.

I smiled and patted her on the shoulder. Taking a drink out of my six pack, I offered,  "have a bottle of When, it will cheer you up."

She laughed out loud. "No thank you. It will add more pounds to the unwanted pounds."

Drinking my sixth drink of When, I remembered the command about the Sabaath, six days to work and one to rest, I chose to enter God's rest. Trust has been defined as being secure in the times of insecurity, being assured in the face of uncertainty. Regarding my questions, Adonai, I trust in You.

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)

Robot  # 1 | 14.10.2008 08:54

We have energy now Part 2 of 2...Read the full article.