Click here to read Episode 10
This is the diary of a Nigerian Christian Girl- Season 1 Episode 11
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I called Adesuwa when I got home, she didnβt pick my call the first time and I tried it a second time. She answered it.
βHello Miss Yemisi.β
She sounded like she had been crying.
βAdesuwa.β
βYes ma. I-β She stopped talking and burst into tears. I told her to let the tears out and waited until she was calm.
βWhatβs going on?β I asked finally.
βPlease donβt be angry with me. I know Iβm a failure. God must hate me right now. I know he doesnβt want to have anything to do with me anymore. My life is a mess.β
βAdesuwa, God does not hate you. I donβt know what is going on, but one thing Iβm sure of is that God loves you very much and he wants to help you.β
She didnβt say anything. I waited again while I prayed silently. I was not going to lose this one. Whatever was going on, we would get to the end of it together.
βFor a week now, Iβve been feeling quite ill. Mum travelled to Aba to get undies to stock her shop. My elder sister had to take me to the clinic.β Adesuwa paused. βThey ran tests on me. Iβm pregnant.β
βOh no.β I muttered underneath my breath. I didnβt know when I stood up and began to pace the room. I had seen this coming. I had seen Adesuwa pregnant in that revelation. Oh Jesus.
βI donβt know what to do Miss Yemisi. My sister has been sad since we returned from the clinic. She doesnβt know what to do and she is afraid of telling my parents. My father will kill me if he finds out about this. I canβt even tell my friends. Theyβve been complaining that I am too serious with my studies. I canβt even imagine the shock on their faces when they discover Iβve been messing around in secret. I donβt know what to do. I wish this could all go away.β
I was muttering tongues as I paced the room. I asked God to teach me what to do. How do I handle this case?
βWho is the guy responsible for this?β I asked.
βSamuel. He lives with us but heβll be returning to school very soon. When he came into Lagos, he couldnβt get a place for his one year industrial training. His father pleaded with my dad to take him in his farm. Dad agreed and said he could stay with us.β
I remembered the presents Adesuwaβs mother gave me during the open day at Corner Stone College. Large tubers of yam, potatoes, onions, a bag of rice, beans, two live chickens. I had to share some of the gifts with other teachers.
βDoes he know about this?β
βI told him this morning.β Adesuwa replied. βHe said we have to get rid of it. I donβt want to do this. Iβm afraid. What if I die while the doctor cut me open? Iβm really scared.β
I sat down on the bed. βAdesuwa, stay calm okay. Donβt go anywhere with that guy. If he keeps threatening you, call me. Iβll come over this weekend to see you. I know your mother very well. Iβll speak with her.β
βI just wish this can just go away. Iβll not allow any man touch me again.β
βThe painful truth is that it canβt go away. However, God has a great plan for you as much as he does for the life growing in your womb.β
βI love you Miss Yemisi.β
βI love you too dear. Iβll be praying for you and Iβll call you again.β
When I ended the call, I went on my knees and prayed. My heart not only ached for Adesuwa, it cried for the woman I had become.
βGod, please.β I started and couldnβt get any more words out. Right there on my knees, I decided I was done trying to do things myself. I have had enough of doing things my own way. I would trust God and just allow him do whatever he wanted with me.
βOh dear Father.β I said, with tears running down my face. βHelp me Lord.β
In the course of the week, I had gotten two packs of soft drinks and biscuits for the love feast due to hold after service at Pure Heaven Assembly. I had also bought envelopes for the church and made customized pens for the first timers.
I decided that Sunday would be my last in that church. I would tell Wale I was done with the relationship. Even though the future seemed bleak, I decided to trust God and allow him take charge of my life.
My phone rang. Wale.
I turned off my ring volume and prayed. The more I prayed, the more I felt new strength envelope me. An hour passed while I continued to pace my room, praying and singing.
When I got ready to sleep, I checked my call history. Wale had called seven times. Someone else called. The Pastor of my former church. I was surprised. He had not called since I told him I had left for Pure Heaven Assembly. I noticed there was a text message from him.
Yemisi, how are you? I just want to check up on you to see how you are doing. This scripture comes to mind as I prayed for you. Proverbs 4:18. The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day. Take one step after the other towards the light and every other thing will align. Good night daughter.
I had a sound sleep that night. I dreamt I was running on a beach, screaming excitedly. I heard a voice behind me, laughing. The voice said,
βGo daughter. Iβve got you.β
I woke up laughing.
****************Β Β Β Β *********************
Sunday Service. Pure Heaven Assembly.
Something happened in church while the worship was going on. I sincerely believe that God prepared me ahead for what I was going to discover that day.
I sat in my usual place behind the Pastorβs βthrone.β Elizabeth sat beside me. I noticed she looked agitated and was muttering words that I couldnβt exactly place. She kept looking back at the entrance. At this point, it was clear she was obsessed about Wale. From the day she rolled her eyes at me at the ministration I followed Wale, I already knew she saw me as an obstacle to getting the attention of the man of God.
Sheβll be free to have him, I whispered. I couldnβt wait for the service to end so I could get out of the church.
As the service progressed, I noticed that the other seats behind us were filled up and the ushers wouldnβt let anyone sit on the last seat on our row. The evangelism co-ordinator wanted to sit there but this usher directed him to another place. It was just myself, Elizabeth and the church financial officer. I kept wondering who they were reserving the last seat for. Wale never said anything to me about inviting a guest. Anyway did he really tell me anything anymore?
While the worship session was still going on, Pastor Wale walked into the church followed by his usher who carried his bible. Then I saw Victoria walking briskly behind them holding a lunch bag. I noticed that the usher smiled at her and made way for her to sit beside Elizabeth.
She was the person the seat was reserved for. But why?
Guess what Victoria did. The moment she sat down, she pulled out two bottled water from the lunch bag and replaced the bottles I had placed on a stool for the Pastor and his assistant. I saw that she took the cupcakes I had packed for the Pastor and dumped them into the bag while arranging hers neatly on a tray on the lower layer of the stool. Even the sweets on the stool, she poured everything out and replaced her with a pack of sweet she had bought. I was surprised that Wale saw what she was doing and didnβt say anything.
Lizzy clapped her hands and shook her head. She looked at me. βAre you just going to sit down there and allow this useless woman do whatever she likes here?β
In my mind I thought, how was I supposed to react? Create a scene? Interestingly I was calm but still curious though. I couldnβt just understand why she did that. For me it was very immature. Even if you are trying to get the attention of a man, there is a way to go about it.
Elizabeth hissed. βEven old women, awon sugar aunties will still be dragging a young pastor with people like us. Wonders shall never end.β
Victoria must have heard that. She glared at Lizzy who started laughing hysterically. Pastor Wale shot her an angry glance and Elizabeth returned the glare.
I wanted to be done with the service. I was not comfortable there anymore. When Pastor Wale mounted the podium, Elizabeth leaned towards me.
βI will treat this manβs fuck up. He thinks he can play games with me. I will show him pepper.β
What was she talking about? I tried to concentrate on what the Pastor was saying but Elizabeth kept interrupting me. She hit my shoulder gently and held her phone to me. Reluctantly, I took it from her. It was a screenshot of a conversation from WhatsApp. I could see Victoriaβs picture on the display icon and the name saved as βMy beloveth.β
Hello sweetheart.
Hey Pastor Wale
Donβt call me Pastor. Iβm a Pastor to every other person, but not to you. You are the woman that makes my heart beat for joy.
Shocked, I raised my head and looked at Elizabeth, She laughed bitterly.
βYou have not seen anything. Swipe to your right. There are more screenshots.β
I swiped to the next slide.
There was a picture of a finger with an engagement ring. Under the picture was a text.
I will never put off this ring. Iβm getting married to Pastor Wale.
Wale replied I donβt want you to wear the ring around yet. Weβll do this officially when the time is right. I gave you the ring so you can know Iβm serious
βWhat?β I stared at the phone, shocked at what I was reading. Wale had given me a ring too but heβd stopped me from wearing it. He said he wanted my parents to approve our relationship first before flaunting it around. I continued reading.
Fine if thatβs what you want. I canβt wait! My dreams are finally coming to pass. Wale, I promise Iβm going to respect you all the days of my life. Age is never going to be a barrier to submission. We will grow old together.
Baby, Iβve completed the necessary documentation. You are so lucky. You are a Nigerian and also a citizen of the United States. I canβt wait to be married to you.
Every process will go smoothly once we get married. I have already booked our tickets to Texas.
Oh really!!! Last week when we had that quarrel, I thought I had lost you. I couldnβt sleep.
Iβm sorry. I just didnβt like the way you are close to that Yemisi lady.
Believe me Victoria, Yemisi and I had something together but there is nothing anymore.Β She just likes to cling to me. I just wanted to be sure our tickets were ready before I tell all those sisters to back off.
And that small girl that is so obsessed about you. Elizabeth. Mehn, you have crazy people in your church. So what are you going to do about the Pure Heaven Assembly?
Iβm already tired of the place jare. I just want to be with you. Letβs get married and leave this goddamn country. I love you so much Victoria. You are everything to me. Gush! Iβm so happy. Can we just get married already?
I was literally shaking where I sat. I looked at Wale behind the pulpit, flipping from one scripture to another. My eyes fell on Elizabeth.
βHow did you get hold of his phone?β
Elizabeth gave me a mocking smile. βBefore both of you came into the scene, I was Waleβs girl. He couldnβt do without me. There is barely a week he does not come to my house. I know his mumu button. But Wale is covetous. Iβve always known that. Apparently I didnβt have the money he needed to run his ministry so I wasnβt wife material enough. He is looking for a smart wife with lots of cash he can control. I may not be that kind of wife but I know how to handle that man. I am not called a witch for nothing. Legions of demons live inside this body and Iβll unleash them on whoever stands in my way.β
I felt a chill run through my spine. Elizabeth suddenly looked different from the lady I had known to be Waleβs mentee. But with all the power Wale demonstrated, why couldnβt he discern that this lady was evil?
Elizabeth giggled and took the phone from me. βStay out of my way so you donβt get hurt.β
My heart was pounding very hard. I could literally feel fear descend upon me. I had to get out of that church. I didnβt want to be part of whatever was going on there anymore.
I stared at Wale again. He was such a wonderful orator. He knew how to command attention and you could tell from the members who were jumping and shouting for joy when he made some proclamations.
Wale removed his suit and began to go from row to row, laying hands on the congregation. I could see a glow on Victoriaβs face. She really must adore him.
How did I get into this mess, I asked myself for the umpteenth time. I felt a strong urge to leave.
βIβm leaving. Goodbye.β I said to Elizabeth.
βI hope we donβt meet again.β Elizabeth said, looking at me fully in the eyes. The same chill ran through my body. I stepped past some of the people who had fallen on the floor and hurried out of the hotel. I ordered a taxi with one address in mind.
The Transformation Church, Gbagada.
I was ready to see my mentors. The prodigal child was ready to come home.
In the taxi, I sent a message to Wale.
Iβm no longer interested in this relationship. Wale, this time I mean it. Itβs over between us. I wish you a nice life.
****************Β Β *************************
Service had just ended by the time I got to my mentorβs church. I searched for their car hoping to wait for them till they were ready to leave. I was trying to locate the car when someone grabbed me from behind.
βAunty!β
It was Kudirat, my mentorβs househelp.
βHow are you Kudirat?β I asked.
βIβm fine. Iβm so happy to see you. Why have you not been coming to our house?β
How was I supposed to answer that question? βWhere is Mama D?β
βThey had to rush home immediately after the service. We have visitors. Mama insisted I wait for the youth meeting. We are through with the meeting maβam. If you are ready, we can go home together.β
I was scared of seeing my spiritual parents. Would they accept me back? Would mummy lash out at me?Β Whatever she says, I was ready to take it.
We got to my mentorβs house and the living room was packed full with people. They looked like campus students. Young and full of life. There were about four young men sitting in the living room. Three other men were in the dining area laughing. One of them played the guitar while the others sang along with him. On Christ the solid rock I stand rented the air and I felt this joy welling up in my heart.
Papa D was saying something to a fine man sitting beside him. He looked older than the rest, maybe somewhere in his early thirties. Papa stopped talking when he saw me.
βWho do we have here? Yemisi!β Papa exclaimed.
I went to him and immediately went down on my knees. Papa D placed his hand on his chin and shook his head.
βYemisi.β Papa repeated
βIβm so sorry.β I said quietly. The man sitting beside the Papa smiled at me. His face was familiar but I couldnβt place where Iβd met him.
Papa pointed at the man. βYemisi, do you know him?β
I stared long at his face, wondering where we had met. I couldnβt place the face. βPapa, he looks familiar but I canβt exactly place where we met.β
Papa tapped the young man as he introduced him to me. βThis is Ayomide, my wonderful spiritual son. He is a medical doctor and the leader of the Zion medical outreach.β He pointed at the guys sitting in the living room. βThose are the sons he has raised in his ministry.β
I stood up and greeted the others. The name of the ministry rang a bell. I turned swiftly to Ayomide. βI remember now. We met once. You spent a night here early last year.β
Ayomide grinned. βSharp memory.β He stretched out his hand. βGood to meet you again Yemisi.β
I shook it. βSame here. Welcome.β
Mama came out of the kitchen and put her hands on her waist. βYemisi, you are here. Come to the kitchen my friend! We have plenty of stomachs to feed.β
Papa held my hand as I left to join Mama in the kitchen. βWhen you are done, get ready for your twelve strokes of cane.β
I looked down. βYes sir. I-β
βGo and help your mother. Weβll talk about your punishment later.β
As I left the living room, I remember one of the punishments Papa had given one of his mentees. We called the punishment, weekend lockdown. That Saturday, Papa ushered Deji into the guest room and told him not to come out of the room throughout the day. A punishment schedule had been drawn.
3 hours prayer.
2 hours study of the word.
Another 3 hours prayer.
4 hours of listening to sermon.
2 hours of prayer.
No breakfast. No lunch.
Papa said heβd consider if Deji would get to eat dinner.
βIf you like sleep all through today. You will repeat the same process tomorrow. I know you cannot lie to me. I did not raise sons who are liars.β Papa had said before leaving the guest room. That day, I stood at the entrance thanking God I didnβt have to serve the punishment.
Papa continued. βI donβt want to see your leg outside. The bathroom is in here. Iβll leave you half bag of water. Iβll be checking up on your progress. Except itβs an emergency, donβt let me see your face outside.β
I wondered what twelve strokes of cane Papa would give to me. He might ask me to fast and pray for three days. Even if he says one week, I was ready for whatever discipline would be meted.
In the kitchen, I joined some of the ladies from the medical outreach to prepare lunch. It felt like I was home. I could see that Mama D was excited to see me. When we finished serving and the team left to continue their journey, she hugged me close and pecked me on my cheek.
βI have missed you so much.β
Tears welled up my eyes. βI missed you too.β
The punishment came that night after I opened up about Wale and all that had happened. I told them everything.
βFor the next three months, I want you here in this house every weekend. If you miss a weekend without any cogent reason, youβll be in trouble. You are going to study the epistles of Paul starting from tomorrow. I want a daily report of your study sent to my email every day. I donβt want to hear any excuse that you couldnβt study because you were tired from work. I will not take any excuse.β
βCan I add mine?β Mama D said.
βSure.β Papa looked at me. βDonβt think thatβs all o. When you come this weekend, weβll talk about the weekend lockdown.β
My eyes widened. βPlease Papa D.β
Papa turned his gaze from me. βMy dear wife, you have the floor.β
Mama D looked at me. βDaddy gave you an assignment to pray one hour every day for forty days. You refused to listen. Iβm tripling it.β
βThatβs my wife.β Papa grinned.
Mama D continued. βFor the next one hundred and twenty days, you will pray one hour daily and produce a weekly report of the time you started praying and when you finished.β
My eyes welled up in tears. Why were they doing this to me? I could not remember the last time I prayed thirty minutes talk less of an hour. When would I have time to study for an hour every day and still pray for another one hour every day? Papa still had the weekend lockdown for me. More prayers and study? Β Couldnβt they just forget about what I had done and move on?
When they finished, you wonβt believe they started talking about something entirely different. Papa brought up a gist that was really funny. I tried not to laugh because I wanted them to see that I was upset but I couldnβt help it. I laughed so hard my body shook. How could this people be stern one minute and be so warm the next?
On my way home that night, Wale called me. I ended the call and blocked his line. This was a new start and whatever it would take, I was going to get this right.
Click here to read Episode 12
Read: How to deal with low self-esteem God’s way
Who will marry you? A short story
Finally. Yemisi you have finally aligned yourself to the will of God
At last, Yemisi is coming out and forth.
I thank u Lord for going all out to save a wretch like us. Thank u for revealing the true identity of wale. But wait, this wale guy is a wolf in sheep clothing. Finally yemisi is back. God pls deliver adeshewa from this shame. Ride on sis ife
Thank God Yemisi finally left Wale.
Yemisi, way to go!
This is the first time I’m smiling at the end of the story series.
My heart is full of Joy!
Well-done Sis!
Your head is continually oiled.
O ga o… Somebody finally gets some sense!
Na wa for Pastor Wale o,, him levels weak me sef.
We pray for more mama and papa Ds in our churches π
Wow.
Reading this alone, gave me clear patterns I could include for my personal study and prayers.
Thank you, Ife. Thank you for giving to the Lord
I’m a life that is gradually being changed/transformed
God bless you dear
I love you.
I just discovered your blog today.
I’m glad I did, God bless you.
Uhmmm
Have learnt a lot
Ability to take your stand has a lady is very important.
Obedience a very important factor in doing God’s will.
Not allowing carnality to overcloud God’s voice in choosing a spouse.
Ope o.
God bless this good spritual parents.
Now that Wale is off the scene, we are ready for what God will have Yemisi do…
More grace, ma’am
I’m loving this already.
More Grace Ife.
Wao! I’m happy for this new turn up.
Wow!
Somebody eye’s is getting to be opened. Gloryyyyy.
May God give Yemisi the grace, to face her future unapologetically, and not to look back to her past again.
Suspense at its peak! What will happen to Adeseuwa and Wale like this?
This is getting more interesting.
What more can I ask for, than for Miss. Ife Grace never to get stucked or rack her brain when writing.
More your fingers not ache you. Amen.
Sense has finally landed on Yemisi’s head. Thank You Lordπ.
Lol…… finally π€Aunty YEMISI,our prayers yaff papa answeredπ€I sha pray you won’t fall again ooo
Aunty Ifeβ€οΈβοΈ
Wow….i await episode 12
Yels…….πππI feel like lying down to thank God for Yemisi …It pays to serve God obediently.
At least I can drink cold water in peace.π
But ,I’m perceiving something about “Ayomide ooo”Oseπ
Spiritual sonπ
More Grace Sis Grace!
Oh the Reckless love of God. Father thank you for saving Yemisi. The sense was there all the while except the Lord saves her by His mercy and Grace the devil is ever ready to ,kill , steal and destroy.
Thank God for this turn around!!
Thank for true Christians like Papa and Mama D who have devoted their lives into discipleship.
I smell sth with Dr Ayomide too.
More Grace Ife Graceβ€οΈ
Lol, your head is there about Ayomide jare
I hope we will have a book from this story, I will be the first to get it.
Hallelujah! Sometimes, the devil uses even children of God to distract others. See how Wale kept calling every time she was in the middle of an important assignment…
We thank God for this fresh start.
Aunty Ife, we pray for you that your gift will make room for you In Jesus Name, Amen.
My God can go any length to see His children realize the truth
Thank you Jesus the owner of my soul, alpha ,omega you are worthy to be praised….
Hmmmm
Its good to have a mentor
I’m glad Yemisi is back on track. Thank God for deliverance.
Wow.. I love dis. I can’t help but think of Elizabeth, pastor Wale is in trouble ooo
Sense don enter Yemisi’s head. I can’t wait for what will happen next.
God bless you Sister Ife for the new episode.
It’s an eye opener. I can’t wait to read the continuation.
Yemisi is now on the Master’s path. She has stopped wandering and I hope she doesn’t wander again.
God bless you Sis.
So am i the only one feeling Ayomide is the “onku”. I am so glad yemisi is back to her senses. Sister ife, thanks a lot for this. It is really an eye opener, showing us how truly God loves us and is always ready to accept us back. Also from the story so far, i have learnt that God can answer prayer anytime and most importantly speak to someone anytime of the day. I am not underestimating prayers at midnight here, But then these has really helped me improve a lot and communicating to God as tho i am seeing him. More wisdom ma. I love youππ and there is nothing we can do about it. Thanks a lot sis.
I already love the outcome of this story. May we never run short of fathers and mothers in faith. I Love Papa and Mama D.
I love this episode so much. God reveals and He is indeed patient with us.
I sense that Yemisi has met her husband ‘Ayomide’. Obedience is key.
More grace sis Ife.
Waiting for the next episode.
I feel so relieved reading this, phew π
Hmmmmm
Glory to Jesus, yemisi is back.
Ehen! I don’t trust that AYOMIDE guy ooooooo. That’s how they’ll start smiling and dishing out comments! ππππ
Oh! Yemisi! Thank God you’ve finally hit your head on the wall that’s brought your senses back into alignment!
Good job ma’am. God bless you richly.
Oh! what a joy to have Papa’s and Mama’s like the D’s. I’m glad Yemisi is back to her source.
Hmmmm,Ayomide…why am I thinking he might be the right Brotherπππ
Hmmm, this punishment ehnn.. Welcome back Yemisi
Glory to God! Yemisi has finally returned home.
Hmm! The gift of discernment and the gift of menππ
More grace to your pen, ma.
Thank GOD Yemisi is back…. thank GOD for spiritual parents. GOD will make a way for Adesuwa.
Hunku Ayomide and Hanti Yemisi…..I love love stories.
GOD bless you aunty Ife. More anointing and wisdom
God is so wonderful.
Lord connect me to my own Papa and Mama D. I need people like them.
Welldone Ife, God bless you and give you more ideas that will bless us
Glory to God!
At last, a turn in the right direction.
The start of something new!
Woooow
Finally, a prodigal child comes home. God bless you dear Ife.
Ha, I really need people like Papa and Mama D.
Sighs!
Thank God for the turn around
It shows God still receives prodigals
And I am trusting God to imbibe some lessons learnt into my personal studies.
More grace sis!
Ayeee ohhπππ
It’s really true that “what an old person see sitting down, we can never see them even though we climb iroko tree”. God bless those who are mentoring and disciplers too.
Wow, I am really Happy for Yemisi.
I pray She will not miss her way again.
Can’t wait for the next episode.
More inspiration Ma’am
Glory to Godπππππ
I am so happy for you Yemisi, may you finish strong!
God I need a Discipler like this, help me Lord!
More grace Ma’am
One thing I’ve been assured of is the role of a mentor in a mentee’s life cannot be overemphasized..Though I’ve been part of those who rubbished mentorship talks,after the lessons I’ve learnt during this lock down,I asked for forgiveness…When we believe we cannot do anything right by our flesh then spiritual things will get better to do…I was bored, and here is the right place to learn and ease my boredom…Ife Grace,you’re blessing I wish to meet soon…Thanks for yielding always…
I’m an addicted reader which started with Lekki Sisi,my God!!your titles are always fascinating and I can’t help but devour your writings…More grace,you will never run out of God’s will…
Woah….
Omo see clarity..
Kai!!
Mama and Papa D… Chai!
See parents ooo.. See love cane…
I’m glad Yemisi is back on track