IF WITCHES WERE HORSES … Episode 51&52 – Kolade Segun Okeowo
IF WITCHES WERE HORSES – Episode 51
As soon as he entered the bus from Mayfair to Ilesha garage where he was to board a car going to Ilesha, Alowolodu opened the envelope, eager to see what Bamiloye had put in the it. Neatly arranged in the envelope was a row of ten crispy new 50 naira notes.
Five hundred naira!!!! Alowolodu almost screamed!!! He gave me Five hundred naira!!!! The stream of tears gave way to a torrent of tears. He brought out a handkerchief and wiped the tears. He didnt want to cause a scene in the car.
Five hundred naira!!! The exact amount needed to pay the balance for a parcel of land his church had purchased and was gradually paying in instalments. It had taken the church six months to pay two thousand naira for the one-acre parcel of land. The balance of five hundred naira was needed to take possession of the land. He closed his eyes again and prayed for Bamiloye.
Preparations for the three-day drama outreach by the Mount Zion Drama Productions at Onigba-Iwofa commenced immediately. As soon as Pastor Joju got the feedback from Pastor Alowolodu, he quickly informed his wife and they began a session of prayers. The report he got from Alowolodu about Mike Bamiloyes open heartedness and the gift of five hundred naira to him was a pleasant shock to Pastor Joju, so he made up his mind that the best in terms of accommodation and welfare must be given to the drama team.
Where do we host them? The parsonage wont be enough to accommodate them. Pastor Alowolodu said, they will be twelve in number! Pastor Joju asked almost rhetorically.
I saw a Guest House just beside the bridge on the road to Aponbiede. Cant we host them there? Mrs. Joju said.
Thats true, GBELEGUN GUEST HOUSE, its about the only hotel or Guest House in this town. I will find out the cost, I hope it wont be more than what we can afford?
I hope so. But we still have some money we brought from the SupermarketWe still have about six thousand naira left
AhGood. Thats a lot of money, we can use that to kick start this outreach. The Lord will glorify HimselfThank you my Dear for agreeing to release that money for His work. I am grateful I married you
Thank you Mrs. Joju said smiling sheepishly. Pastor Joju drew her closer and planted a kiss on her lips.
What could I have done without you …Sade? Thank you for being the worlds best wife Pastor said as Sade fell into his hands resting her head on his chest. Joju held her right hand, squeezed it lovingly, rubbed his right hand through her beautifully plaited hair and patted her on the back. Sade smiled again.
As soon as Pastor Joju mentioned the three-day drama crusade in the church, members went in wild jubilation and promised to go all out to publicize the program even up to the surrounding villages. Major Labode (rtd) volunteered to chair the Planning Committee. He offered to liaise with the military cantonment in Shaki to provide necessary security for the programme.
Sir, with the away you described this programme, I dont see us holding it in the Church auditorium or premises. The only place that can host this magnitude of programmes the Palace Square!! Major Labode explained as soon as the first meeting of the Planning Committee commenced.
I can assure you Sir, people will come from all the thirteen villages surrounding Onigba-Iwofa. This church cannot contain more than 300 human beings. If we attempt to hold the drama programme here, we stand the chance of causing some form of commotion. I therefore advise that we use the Kings Palace grounds where over five thousand people can gather conveniently
The suggestion was accepted by all members of the committee which included Eebudola; Odewole’s wife and Mrs. Labode. Immediately, the team left for the palace to inform his Royal Highness of the plans to use the palace grounds to host the first-ever drama crusade and revival in Onigba-Iwofa.
Excitedly, the King accepted the proposal and gave instructions to the palace guards concerning the use of the palace grounds on the said days of the Drama Crusade.
You have chosen a very good time for this drama programme. December 19 to 22, 1985. That is Christmas period. A very good time when most indigenes of Onigba-Iwofa would have returned home for the yuletideI am particularly delighted because of that. What a way to welcome our sons and daughters back home for Christmas” The King said grinning with smiles as he spoke.
How about the actors and actresses coming from Ibadan, where will they stayWhat arrangements are you making?
“Kabiyesi, they are coming from Ile-Ife, not Ibadan Your highness, on their accommodation, we have not made any solid arrangements, but we are thinking of using GBELEGUN GUEST HOUSE to host them
As soon as Pastor Joju mentioned GBELEGUN GUEST HOUSE, Kabiyesi exchanged glances with the Queen, who had been part of the meeting with the team from the church.
Excuse me The King bent over towards his wife and both spoke for a few seconds and both nodded in agreement.
Ok I have discussed with Olori, you may use GBELEGUN GUEST HOUSE to host your visitors. How many are they?
We are expecting twelve of them Your Highness! Seven males and five females”
That is Okay. My wife has accepted to pick the bills for the accommodation at GBELEGUN GUEST HOUSE and cater for their feeding throughout their stay at Onigba-Iwofa”
Kaaabiyeeesiiii OOOOO!!! Members of the team chorused as they all went flat on the ground in prostration to salute the King.
For this God is our God,
Forever and ever,
He will be our God,
From now even unto the end
The voice of Pastor Mrs. Sade Joju rang out sonorously as she sang as soon as she and her husband stepped back into the parsonage.
Just like thatThis God is a good God!!!
Thank God we stepped out in faithAccommodation and welfare all taken care of by one familyGod you are goodSade, thank you once again
We must thank your rugged faith Pastor RUGGED !!! The two burst into laughter!
The preparations for the three-day drama Crusade reached a crescendo on Sunday the 15th of December 1985 when members of the church moved around in a convoy to inform and sensitize the entire town about the drama crusade coming up from the 19th to 22nd of December. The convoy moved from the church immediately after the service towards the Post Office and the Police Station. As they moved round, drummers and some criers called attention of the populace to the forth-coming drama crusade.
Leading the team of criers for the church were Ilelomia and her friend Mojoyin wo had joined the church following the healing miracle of Labudanu. As the convoy moved from place to place singing, dancing and telling everyone about the Christian actors who are coming to town to preach the word of God using drama, more people joined and swelled the size of the convoy. By the time they finally wrapped up the publicity drive at the palace square, the convoy which started with about 100 adults and children had increased about four times.
The Queen of the Coast saw everything from her palace. She hissed lazily and gave a loud whimper. She coiled angrily on her chair. The Onigba-Iwofa was gradually becoming a failure. She had pleaded with the Lord Lucifer to assign her to another field but to no avail. She was getting pissed off with the mien of Lucifer who is not ready to listen to any form of pleas or complaints from his agents.
In the last one month since the baton of leadership of the church at Onigba-Iwofa changed hands, all her daughter assigned to the town had become idle, completely disoriented and lost focus. They have not been able to perform any single assignment since Pastor Joju and his wife entered the town. Not only did Pastor Joju come with his legally married wife to Onigba-Iwofa, he is not the one to look twice at any other woman except Sade, his loving wife.
Gradually, The Queen was getting ready to quit the Onigba-Iwofa field with or without Lucifers permission. She was ready to face the consequences, at least the ones she knew about. She had witnessed the painful punishment of Queens and senior agents like her who disobeyed and have come to a conclusion that it was better for her to face the wrath than continue on a failed mission.
However, she had resolved to make one last attempt before her final quit, but when she got reports of the coming of the Mount Zion Drama Productions Team to Onigba-Iwofa, she gave up completely. She remembered vividly how the Queen in charge of the Upper Arewa Kingdom gave report during one of the meetings of The Grand Council of Spiritual Wickedness about how the Mount Zion Team invaded her region and led to the deliverance of many captives during their drama outreaches to Kano and Zaria towns.
The Upper Arewa Queen spoke of the many destructions that the coming to her region by the team caused and vowed never to open her eyes and allow such to ever happen again. She complained that she was caught unawares because her agents only reported to her that the team was coming to act drama; she therefore took it for granted that they had no damaging effect.
However, to their utter chagrin and dismay, the impacts of their ordinary stage drama reverberated throughout the whole cities of Kano and Zaria in the 30 days they spent in each of the cites going from church to church causing deliverance and setting the captives free. Thousands of people gave their lives to Christ during the outreaches while many Christians received burdens and commissions for missions after watching the drama of the Mount Zion Team especially the Unprofitable Servant
Morakinyo had settled fully at the Bible College at Ikeji-Arakeji. Life at the College was gradually becoming normal for him. Thanks to the practical knowledge of mission work which he had gathered at Onigba-Iwofa, the training which other pastoral students like him considered hectic was no big deal to him.
On one occasion, students were required to go inside the forest to get firewood for the college kitchen. That was strange to some of the students who chose to be defiant but not to Morakinyo who was not only used to such rugged life but had already sealed off his mind against anything capable of discouraging him or making him loose focus of what he came to do at the Bible College. He spoke to the defiant students and encouraged them.
Hear me my dear colleagues, it is better to get used to the system and have an understanding that the college authorities are not trying to be wicked but simply helping us to have a taste of what we are likely going to meet when eventually we get into the world of missions and pastoring” He charged the fellow student pastors and told them some of his experiences at Onigba-Iwofa including his first day at the village including the hours of trek in the Alupayida forest and the sleeping under the Iroko Oluwere tree!
Within a week, Morakinyo had become the toast of all the students in the college including the lecturers. His background as a former university lecturer was both intimidating and appealing to different sectors of the student population and some of the lecturers. Although Morakinyo never mentioned it to any of the students, the news of his academic status had spread like wildfire within the college. However, the academic status was successfully shadowed by Morakinyo himself who related with everyone freely and was ready to serve other students who were mostly illiterate and semi-illiterates. His readiness to serve and make himself available for any assignment endeared him to everyone on the campus of the Bible College.
Ten days into the commencement of the course, the Principal of the Bible College Reverend Dosu Babajide addressed the students and announced a President for the crash programme class which Morakinyo belonged. His address was short as he welcomed the crash programme students and encouraged them to make the best of the three-month period they had to spend in the college. He thereafter proceeded to announce Morakinyo as the President of the Crash Programme Class.
Mrs. Aarinola Paseda left the house very early in the morning for a special journey. She has not been to Onigba-Iwofa in the last twelve years. Since she gave her life to Christ, she has consciously avoided going home. Although she constantly and consistently sent provisions and financial support to her parents, she avoided Onigba-Iwofa like a plague.
She believed in the need to separate herself from the world which she assumed her unbeliever parents and relations represented. Even when she lost her husband and her mother visited her in Ibadan, she refused to go home with her. She preferred to stay in Ibadan. She once preached Jesus to her mother who vehemently rejected and swore by the gods that only death could take her away from the Egungun cult she belonged to from birth.
Her father was worse. He practically threatened to disown Aarinola, if she ever mentioned Jesus to him again. His excuse was that the position he occupied in the local Awo-Opa fraternity was bequeathed on him by his grandfather and he owed his ancestors the honour of preserving their legacies. He attended Aarinola’s wedding seven years ago at Ibadan only to fulfil all righteousness and at the intervention of His Royal Highness, Oba Folagbade Lagooku (Ogajafowomeke II) The Adigbaare of Onigba-Iwofa who convinced him not to allow another man take his place and lead his daughter to the altar for the marriage. His Royal Highness, had followed him to Ibadan and encouraged to enter church for the first time in his life.
As she stepped out of the house, she prayed again and asked herself if she was doing the right thing. She had become restless in the last few weeks as the urge to see her parents grew. The urge had grown to become guilt after she listened to her pastor preach on “Honouring Parents The pastor had told the congregation that no matter what, the honour of parents from a child must remain intact. He postulated that God never instructed children to honour their parents if they are godly or righteous. He said The Bible simply asked children to honour their parents. Ever since she heard that message, Aarinola had become restless and longed to visit home again.
In addition to that was the constant repetition of the strange dream she had concerning Dr. Morakinyo gathering firewood at Onigba-Iwofa. She recalled how she had shared the dream with Dr. Morakinyo, only to hear some days later that the young Senior Lecturer had resigned his appointment to start a full time ministerial work at Onigba-Iwofa. She recalled how she walked up to him that morning at the department to share the dream with him
I saw you in our village, you wore a native dress and you were gathering firewood. You got a large bundle and looked around for a rope to bind it. You tried dragging one rope but it hurt you badly, so you left it and got another. After binding the bundle, you removed your dress and made a head-rest with it. As you carried the bundle, the rope broke and the firewood scattered. When I woke from the dream, I laughed and laughed; it was such a funny dream. I asked myself, what would a Senior Lecturer have to do with gathering firewood in the farm, our village for that matter. So I told myself, I must share the joke with you
She had the dream again two days ago.
Aarinola kept wondering why the dream was repeating itself to her and could not place any linkage. However, she decided to make that trip to Onigba-Iwofa at least to mend fences with her parents and celebrate the Christmas with them. Her son who went to Kafanchan to spend the long vacation holidays with her late husbands elder brother had decided to continue his education in the ancient town at the insistence of his uncle. Being a Senior Pastor and very comfortable, Aarinola had no reservations in releasing her only son to stay with Pastor Kunle Paseda.
She left Ibadan with a huge load containing gift items ranging from textiles to shoes and different provisions. She remembered that apart from her parents, there were other relations she must visit and at least give some end of the year gifts to.
One of such relatives was her uncle; Odesola, the hunter!!!
IF WITCHES WERE HORSES – Episode 52
Aarinola kept wondering why the dream was repeating itself to her and could not place any linkage. However, she decided to make that trip to Onigba-Iwofa at least to mend fences with her parents and celebrate the Christmas with them. Her son who went to Kafanchan to spend the long vacation holidays with her late husbands elder brother had decided to continue his education in the ancient town at the insistence of his uncle. Being a Senior Pastor and very comfortable, Aarinola had no reservations in releasing her only son to stay with Pastor Kunle Paseda.
She left Ibadan with a huge load containing gift items ranging from textiles to shoes and different provisions. She remembered that apart from her parents, there were other relations she must visit and at least give some end of the year gifts to.
One of such relatives was her uncle; Odesola, the hunter!!!
The journey from Ile-Ife to Onigba-Iwofa took the Mount Zion Team more than eleven hours!!! Fortunately, they took off from the ancient city very early around seven in the morning. The driver of the commercial bus that they chattered from Ile Ife boasted that he knows a better route via Osogbo. He condemned the idea of going through Ibadan to link Oyo via Ojoo. He argued that going through Ibadan was tantamount to going backwards. He said he could link Ilorin by going through Oshogbo and burst out at Shaki. He claimed that was a better route.
Whoever says we should go through Ibadan and Oyo does not have idea of geography!!! Baba Piri Oloko started as he eased the vehicle towards Ede road en route Osogbo. Hardly had Brother Bamiloye, leader of the team finished praying when Baba Piri Oloko started the 18 seater Toyota Urvan bus.
Thank God I did Geography in Modern SchoolI wouldnt have understood the error we are about to commitWe would be wasting a lot of time if we go through Ibadan. It is like going to Abeokuta from Ibadan and passing from Idi-Ayunre through Ijebu-Ode to Sagamu and then Abeokuta, when one could have gone straight from Apata to Omi Adio, burst at Orile-Ilugun and face Odeda, Osiele and Eleweran. thats the way to go !!! He kept on talking like a chatter box.
As he spoke confidently, the Mount Zion brethren believed him. They had no reason to doubt him. Since they started going around abut a year ago, Baba Piri was the one who took them around. He knew virtually everywhere! Once Brother Bamiloye told him where the team would minister next, like an encyclopedia, Baba Piri knows it all.
By the time the journey entered its fifth hour, the brethren had started suspecting something had gone wrong. Signs that Baba Piri does not have a complete grasp of the route came when after they left the metropolis of Ilorin, Baba Piri started asking directions from people along the road. At first, he parked at Eyenkorin and sought from the Hausa traders there for the route to Saki. Moreover, it had taken five hours to get to Ilorin alone when Pastor Alowolodu said the whole journey from Ile-Ife should take only four hours.
As soon as he entered the vehicle, Brother Bamiloye who had been quiet all through the journey asked me if all was well.
No problem Bro Mike, we are moving towards Saki now He answered confidently.
Within the next one hour, it had become glaring to everyone that the wrong route had been taken.
Baba Piri, are you sure we are still on course asked Sister Remi, the youngest member of the team.
“God is on the throne His voice had suddenly lost the former vigour.
Suddenly, one of the brothers started a song:
Father take control
Son take control
Holy Ghost take pre-eminence
Father take control
Before long, everyone in the vehicle had joined him in the song, singing with joy and happiness as Baba Piri continued to navigate the routes he probably did not know.
“Baba Piri, dont forget Geography O! A brother shouted form behind the bus, casing everyone to burst into laughter. Even Brother Mike who sat in the front could not help laughing this time. Only Baba Piri held on to the steering with utmost seriousness. He pretended he did not hear the joke from the back and kept driving on. He was sincerely wrong, a fellow driver had told him the Ilorin route was better and faster to Saki than going through Ibadan and Oyo. He was already feeling guilty. His chatter-box nature had suddenly given way to an unusual calm and quietness.
“Baba Piriyou know; all things work together for good to them that love God Brother Mike saw the need to encourage the middle aged man as he struggled to find the direction to Onigba-Iwofa. Dont blame yourself for the decisions you have taken today. We will get to Onigba-Iwofa safely in Jesus name
Then he turned to the brethren “Brethren, nobody should mock Baba Piri again. The Lord is using him to take us to Onigba-Iwofa via the best route by the leading of the Lord. Baba Piri is not the one driving this bus, it is the Holy Spirit driving through himPraise the Lord
The chorus of Hallelujah was loud and resounding.
Pastor Joju was becoming troubled when at 4pm, the Mount Zion Team were not in sight. Although the outreach was to start the following day, he had agreed with Pastor Alowolodu that the team should arrive ahead. The last time he went to Shaki to make a call to Alowolodu, he was assured that the team had agreed to come a day ahead of the outreach and will arrive latest by 12noon. Therefore, when at 4pm, they did not show up, he began to show concern.
As the vehicle conveying the Mount Zion Team entered Shaki around 5pm, one of the tyres went flat, forcing Baba Piri to stop almost immediately. Fortunately, the vehicle stooped about one hundred meters from the Central Motor Park, Shaki. A vulcaniser stall was just close by.
This tyre have seen ages! The vulcaniser exclaimed when he saw the worn out tyre. There is no use pumping this one, do you have an extra one? He asked pitiably.
Oh sure we do Baba Piri answered. “The only problem is that we have all our loads piled upon it. We will need several minutes to unpack
Ah, you had better start doing that immediately. I will soon close shop. The dreaded Gbenafojuwo masquerade will appear from 6 O clock. You must leave this city before 6pm unfailingly because Gbenafojuwo does not tolerate strangers at all” The vulcaniser explained to Baba Piri and Brother Ore Adewole who had come down to see to the problem.
Immediately all the brethren came out of the vehicle to allow for the change of the worn out tyre. The sisters walked off to a shed belonging to a fruit seller and sat to wait while the brothers faced the task of offloading the vehicle to get at the extra tyre.
You must be coming from Ilorin? The vulcaniser asked as they began to offload the vehicle.
Yes, we are but how did you know that” Brother Ore responded sharply. We could have been coming from IbadanOkay what if I say we are coming from Ibadan or Oyo Brother Ore quizzed.
Not today my friend!!! You could not have been coming from Ibadan or Oyo!!! The vulcaniser announced confidently. No vehicle came in from Oyo to Saki today
Why
A trailer carrying cows fell just before entering Oyo and blocked access towards Saki. If you had come through Oyo end, you will sleep there today!” The vulcaniser announced gleefully as he began to remove the knots on the tyre.
“The two vehicles that left Saki this morning for Ibadan turned back and returned when they could not find their way to Oyo. The trailer slept like this across the entire road The vulcaniser said stretching his body to mimick how the trailer occupied the road.
The brothers exchanged glances and turned their gazes to Baba Piri who had suddenly become a hero of some sort.
You seeI told you, Baba Piri does not only know Physical geography, he also understands Spiritual Geography!!! Brother Mike explained.
Baaaabaaaaa Piriiiiiiii!!!! The brothers gave a loud ovation to Baba Piri, drawing the attention of Sisters Gloria, Bola, Remi and Vero to quickly join brothers to find out what had gone amiss.
God used Paba Piri to save us from either sleeping on Oyo today or turning back from there to come and take the Ilorin alternative. He saw what we did not see ahead!!! Brother Mike explained to the Sisters as Baba Piri continued to smile sheepishly.
Piri l’olongo nji!!!! Brother Ore Adewole saluted Baba Piri again!!!
The Lord will bring them safely. It could be that they have issues with the vehicle bringing them. You know how the roads are Mrs. Joju tried to allay the fears of her husband as soon as she noticed his troubled face. We have prayed and The Lord has heard usHe will perfect all that concern this program. We have done the best we canLet God perform His bestIts time to break the fastIt’s 6 already Sade concluded as he playfully pushed her husband from the room to the table in the living room where she had already set the table for dinner.
Hardly had they settled down for the food when they heard a loud noise outside. A crowd of children and youths had led the bus conveying the Mount Zion Team to the Mission House!!! Pastor Joju knew the only thing that could lead children to the Mission House that evening was the arrival of the drama team. So, he quickly left the food and rushed out to see the bus parking in front of the Mission House. He could not miss the face. Brother Mike Bamiloye was in the front of the vehicle praying with the other members of the team.
Patiently, Pastor Joju waited for them to round off the prayers before welcoming them. His wife had also joined him outside as they waited for the team to finish their prayers. The crowd of children and youths waiting to catch a glimpse of the dram team had increased rapidly within a few minutes.
The team had gone straight to the palace ground, the venue of the programme from where they got better information about the direction to the Mission House. Word had gone round that the drama team from Ile-Ife had arrived. Some adults had also joined the crowd, whispering in low voices as they waited for the team to alight.
I know; it is Baba OgundeOsetura himself. Haa Ogunde has come to Onigba-Iwofa!!! Amusan said to his bosom friend Laosebikan. They were the first set of adults to arrive the scene.
Liar, it is his son!! Laosebikan replied sharply Baba Ogunde is older than this. I know him, his name is Wemimo Ogunde. He acts drama like his father!!!
Kai, he too has many wives just like his father see, One… two three four five. He has five wives wives!!!
What do you expectLike father like son!!! The duo of Amusan and Laosebikan continued their chattering as the Mount Zion Team alighted from the bus and made straight into the Mission House.
Mrs. Aarinola Paseda was one of the passengers who returned to Ibadan that day. The vehicle she boarded was caught in along traffic jam that lingered for more than 12 kilometers. The fallen lorry conveying cows had blocked the entire stretch of the road, making any vehicular movement impossible. To make the matter worse, the trailer fell at a point where two imposing rock formations created a kind of barrier on the either sides of the road. Any attempt to create emergency side roads was already a failed attempt even before conception. The two rocks created impregnable walls. Motorists had only two choices; wait for the Federal Highway Patrols to bring a heavy duty towing vehicle and remove the trailer or return to Oyo.
For Aarinola, returning to Ibadan via Oyo was the only available option. The driver of the vehicle she boarded had announced that he had to return to Ibadan. He lamented that the last time such a thing happened about two years ago, the trailer was not removed until the following day. He opined that, waiting for the Federal Highway Patrol to bring a heavy duty towing vehicle might not be feasible that day. So, he joined the bandwagon of vehicles taking a U-turn to make a detour back to Ibadan via Oyo. Unfortunately, by the time he made the decision to take a U-turn, several other vehicles had done same, causing a major gridlock on the Oyo-Shaki road that lasted for another three hours.
As soon as the Mount Zion Team arrived, the welfare team from the church, led by Eeebudola wife of Odesola and Mrs. Labode wife of Major Labode (rtd) had reported to the Mission House. Before anyone could say “Onigba-Iwofa” rolls of pounded yam, egusi soup and assorted bush meats had met at the Mission House where the guests were first hosted before they were led by Major Labode who was the Chairman of the Drama Crusade Planning committee and Odesola to the Gbelegun Guest House where they were to lodge for the three days of their stay at Onigba-Iwofa.
Please manage this our Guest House and enjoy your restTomorrow morning around ten, we shall come to lead you to the palace of His Royal Highness, Oba Folagbade Lagooku (Ogajafowomeke II) The Adigbaare of Onigba-Iwofa. He will be willing to receive you Major Labode explained to Brother Mike, leader of the Mount Zion Team.
“Thank you very much Sir. This place is beautiful and goes beyond managing. We deeply appreciate your spirit of hospitality. We are very happy Sir. Thank you very much. The Lord bless you Sir Brother mike responded.
By the time Aarinola returned to her residence at the staff Quarters of the University of Ibadan, it was already 7pm. She was tired and worn out already. As soon as she stepped into the house, she felt in her spirit that the trailer accident happened because of her. As she knelt beside her bed to pray and thank God for her safe return home, she heard His voice clearly:
Go back home
The voice was distinct and very clear. She could not miss it. It has been long He spoke like that. If she was not used to that that voice, she might have been tempted to assume an intruder was in the room with her. But, she knows His voice. She stayed in the kneeling position for another thirty minutes expecting Him to speak further, but He did not.
I have not seen my parents in yearsI stayed away from home because my father is a paganWhy should I? Several thoughts ran through her mind as she stayed under the shower enjoying the warm water. She recalled her wedding ceremonies and how her father refused to accent until persuaded by Oba Folagbade.
When her husband died in a ghastly auto accident a few years after the wedding, she had reasons to think her father might have been responsible. It took the constant and consistent counselling from her pastor to erase the thoughts from her mindset.
That night, all the remaining daughters of the river on skeletal operations left Onigba-Iwofa. As soon as the Mount Zion team arrived, the spiritual temperature of the town increased by 47 degrees Celsius causing terrible burns on Natas and Vampiress, new leaders of the Daughters of the River operating at Onigba-Iwofa.
Already, the two had become tired of the mission. Ever since Pastor Joju took over the work, they have been rendered useless and unable to perform a single operation within and around the town. They had become weak, lean and completely famished. They had no blood to suck since they could not muster enough strength to cause any major catastrophe within the town.
In the last one month of Pastor Joju and his wifes arrival in Onigba-Iwofa, only three deaths had been recorded. One was a 92-year-old woman, who died peacefully in her sleep. The second was a 78-year-old man who had been sick for more than two years. His death was a relief to his family. The third death recorded was that of an 89-year-old retired school headmaster whose corpse was brought in from Lagos for traditional celebrations.
Powerone and Greatone had become too powerful for the daughters of the river. In the last seven days since the preparations for the drama crusade and revival started with a special fasting and priatyeng session, the daughters of the Rivers led by Natas and Vampiress had become banished to the outskirts of the town where they had little or no aces to what went on at Onigba-Iwofa. Their visibility had become poor and they hardly saw or herd anything beyond the physical again. Onigba-Iwofa had become a no go area for them.
At the Gbelegun Guest House, were the Mount Zion Team were lodged at the instance of His Royal Highness, Oba Folagbade Lagooku (Ogajafowomeke II) The Adigbaare of Onigba-Iwofa, prayers continued into the early hours of the morning. Completely unaware of the damage they were doing to the forces of darkness represented by the Daughters of the River, the Mount Zion brethren continued to blast away in tongues, singing praises and taking charge of the atmosphere in preparation for the drama outreach starting the following day.
From the borders where they had been banished, the daughters of the River suddenly felt a rushing wave of heat like that from a furnace hit them. Instantly, they were burnt and roasted by the intensity of the fire. Only Natas managed to escape with high degree of burns.