TWO WEEKS FINAL EPISODE

Mike was discharged from the hospital and Posh begun serving her six months public service term as punishment for her offense against Mike.
Gregory and Miley begun making preparations for their wedding and the Faith band’s CD was out.

A couple of days after Salvation song was released to the public, the dean of students, along with the student government council, called together the Faith band in their office, and organized with them to officially launch Salvation debut in the Ortegun campus so as to promote the song.
So, when the day came, the whole campus filled the open square in front of the fountain.
Banners of the band in yellow and white colors, surrounded the campus, advertising the event and the song. The class 100 members had volunteered to be agents of the Faith band and sell the Salvation CDs.
They sold more than 1000 copies in 2 hours alone, even before the band walked to the stage to sing.
Vicky was very excited as she climbed up the stage with the rest of the band, wearing white T-shirts with bright yellow bolded words of Faith at the front.
The record company crew was with them and they wore the company shirts, checking the instruments and mikes on the stage.
The people cheered when the Faith band took their positions. The band smiled, waving at the multitude that appeared like ants, spreading all over the campus lane.

The producer saw Kyle behind the brass and asked if he was alright.
“Set.” Kyle replied.
“Your friend was right," the producer said, loudly for the noise that the spectators made on the ground.
“Yes. This really is a hit song.”Kyle agreed.
“Jesus, hits.” The producer admitted. “You should write Gospel songs, always.”
Kyle laughed and nodded.
The producer abandoned the stage and Kyle looked at the others to see their condition.
There was no one behind the Keyboard.
“We're gonna have to do without.” Fred, who seemed to notice Kyle’s worry, called to him from the drums.
Kyle nodded sadly. “But, I texted him.”
“Do you think, he’d come?” Deborah asked, turning to the guys from the front.
“Let us hope so.” Another guy, Kendal replied from another mic.
Vicky looked at her friends and sighed. She realized who they were talking about.
“It’s alright. Intro, Vicky?” Kyle said.
Vicky turned to the crowd and gave them a bright smile before beginning. “Thank you all for your coming.”
“YEAAH!” The crowd shimmered.
Vicky laughed a little. “The Faith band is highly encouraged by your presence. We are so honored to have you all here and support us, pushing the Gospel of Jesus forward,” she added.
People just cried, “Faith! Faith! Faith!”
She smiled looking around the heavily flocked field. “We hope that, this song would touch and transform you. Because, there is no Salvation in anyone else except in Jesus who loved us so much, enough to die for us.”
There were mild reactions. Probably not all the crowd were convinced.
As Vicky looked around, by chance, she caught sight of Wayne.
She became puzzled to see him again after the while that he was away.
He made his way through the crowd, wearing a white shirt and dark trousers.
He begun taking the stairs at Vicky’s left side, to the stage where, the rest of the band was.
Vicky had a lot of questions in her mind at that time. Wayne was back, when did he get back? Did he know that they would have the launch of the Salvation song?
The rest of the band smiled, feeling happy to have him again.
The crowd cheered.
The crew shrugged and were amazed until someone from campus tipped them that the ununiformed man approaching the soloist on the stage, was the Keyboardist.
Vicky was happy but, her joy was replaced with worry, when she could recognize the sadness expressed on Wayne’s face.
More than that, other than the keyboard, he followed her.
Vicky swallowed and reckoned, “Wayne," when he drew closer to her.
She drew back a few steps and he didn’t look at her rather than, at the mike stand, taking hold of it.
Tears flowed from his eyes and the crowd became silent, surprised at the turn of events.
Wayne sighed first, shutting his eyes and collecting himself to say to the quiet field. “My, my mother was sick.” He said and his voice shimmered through the huge speakers that were on the opposite sides of the stage.
He opened his eyes again and glanced at the confused crowd. Most were wondering why he had to say that and some, felt sorry.
“She had cancer.” He added.
There were many gasps.
Victoria gulped. She begun to feel bad, thinking that Wayne’s mother, died.
Kyle, and the rest of class 100 were shocked.
The producer and his crew were concerned with why the newcomer had to say that. And if, he was confused. 
“This Jesus who, we are preaching,” Wayne went on, disregarding their reaction. “He healed my mother.”
There were more gasps of joy.
Vicky broke into a huge smile, beaming at Wayne who stood just a few feet from her.
“I was a waste until a couple of weeks ago.” Wayne went on, as though, he didn’t notice the elation on people’s faces. “When I received Jesus Christ, my life changed. He gave up to me what he gives to all who turn to him; the free gift of love, the free gift of healing, the free gift of peace.” He said and there were many nods.
Many people who did not believe in Jesus in the compound, were touched to accept him then.
“There is Salvation in no one else,” Wayne said. “Except Jesus Christ who died for us.” He concluded and turned to Vicky, grinning at her.
Vicky smiled and though she wouldn’t, she gave him a hug.
“Thank you Vicky,” he said before they parted.
“Glory to God.” She replied.
The crowd cheered and once again, Vicky took the mic and Wayne assumed his position behind the keyboard, greeting his friends with light hugs and arm shakes as he did.
“Amen. Thank you Jesus for healing Wayne’s mom.” Vicky said. “God is able to heal. He is able to save you. It doesn’t matter who you appear to be now. God has a purpose for you and he is able to heal you.”
“Amen!” The crowd roared. They were all convinced.
“Thank you.” Vicky said and the beats begun playing.
The song rouse a great reaction from the spectators. It became more spiritual and touching to them then.
Some people who had gone to be part of the event, were healed and they confessed Jesus as the savior of their lives.
The band sold more than 10000 copies to the approximately 14000 students and teachers who came to the launching.
They also had many viewers online and soon, the song begun to sell in Africa because of Vicky’s nationality.
Soon, what begun from an evening contention about producing a gospel song, became the most popular hit song in America, being played in Gospel and non-religious radio stations.
The record company made a lot of money, and so did the artists.
Soon, they shot the video and made concerts in West-Virginia, Texas and Europe, getting the chance to sing in front of the nobles.
Vicky already purchased her laptop, phone, bought her real-estate and a car.
She was ever thankful to God for transforming her life and indeed, it was transformed completely.
Sasha was healed and she could conclude her studies and become a doctor.
                                                                #
Now, Two weeks.
Can a man encounter God and his life not change?
Why don’t you answer that yourself by trying it out?
Accept Jesus Christ as the savior of your life by following this prayer sincerely from your heart.
Dear Lord,
Thank you for giving me your message of Salvation.
I am willing to accept Jesus today as the savior of my life.
You died for me and took all my sins.
Please transform my life and help me live it toward you.
Please lead me to notice the important things in my life.
Thank you Jesus. Amen.

After you’ve said this prayer, know that you are saved. Just read the Bible.
You can start from the book of John.
Or begin from Genesis.
I will leave you with one word from Hebrews 4:12

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow; and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

More to come…

Can you guess what happened with Annie Earl?
How about Gregory and Miley?
And Wayne?
Chris?
Mike, Posh?
Oh and Vicky?
Emeka?

The story doesn’t end here.
There’s more to come so please, stay tuned for the next part of this book, titled.

“27 YEARS” Can a man remain with God even after being rich?

STAY BLESSED in Jesus’ name. Amen.

                                                             
End

TWO WEEKS - Episode 27 (Fangs-turned-Faith)

Downstairs, Chris watched his brother as he raised their radio volume.
They stood inside the large living room of their house and Wayne stretched his hand with the remote, toward the Music System, controlling the tempo.
“The song is good.” Chris commented.
Wayne turned to him. “Yeah. We thank God for that.”
“We? You and?”
“The team. We have a band in college. Together, we made up this song.”
Chris was amazed. “Wow. I can’t wait to hear your part.”
“Oh. You’ll be amazed to know that, you are hearing it.”
Chris furrowed his eyebrows in queer.
Wayne only grinned at him.
Chris laughed when he realized it. “Oh bro. How could I have missed it? Wow. The beat right?”
Wayne nodded, smiling.
“You’re good. Seriously bro.”
Wayne thanked him. “You hear the lady singing the chorus?”
“Yeah. She’s cool.”
“Her name is Vicky. She’s the one who composed the song. I’ve never met a person so God-fearing like Vicky before. She is the true example of how a person should live toward God. She knows the Word of God, she is so kind and humble. God has made her that way.”
“And gave her a talent as well. A New Yorker?”
Wayne shook his head. “On the contrary, she is an African young lady coming from East Africa. A place called, Dar.”
“Oh. From Africa. Amazing.”
“So special.” Wayne said, remembering her.
“Dar, Dar. Is it in Kenya?”
“No, no. I don’t think so. The state starts with T.”
“Oh. Tanzania.”
Wayne nodded. “Have you ever heard of that place?”
“I’ve been to Arusha. It’s in the Northern part of Tanzania." He shared at length and added, "we were with the embassy for a conference in ICC. Dar must be the short form of Dar es Salaam.”
Wayne smiled. “Yeah. She told me that.”
Chris turned back to the radio. “And the boys are great.”
“That’s Kyle. He used to be a bad guy. God changed us all.”
“I want him to change me.”
“He will make everything work for your favor Chris.”
He smiled hopefully. “Amen.”
“So, will you please help me make something?”
“I’m open.” Chris replied with out-stretched arms.
“Yeah. It’s pasta but, no ordinary pasta. Vicky pasta. She makes the best pasta, ever. I only tasted her pasta once. I hope, I would be able to make anything close to it with our ingredients here.”
Chris rubbed his chin, following his brother, who was already exiting the room, to the kitchen.  “So, she also cooks, ha?”
“Yeah.” Wayne replied, comfortably.
They entered the kitchen and Wayne walked to the cupboard. “Now, do we have any spices, here...?” He wondered aloud.
Chris leaned on the threshold of the wide kitchen of maroon floor and white tiled walls. “Tell me more about this Vicky.”
“Well… She cooks, she loves God. She is a giver as well. She is very kind and could advise you in anything.” He said, opening the cupboards and turned back to Chris, “She is the one who introduced Jesus to me.”
“She sounds very awesome.”
“Yes.” Wayne agreed immediately. “You should meet her.”
Chris nodded slowly with his lips pouted forward.
Wayne narrowed his eyes at his brother. “Why do you look at me like that?”
Chris drew from the wall, stretching his hands in defense. “Nothing, nothing.”
Wayne shook his head and turned back to the cupboard.
“What happened with Sasha Cruise?” Chris asked, purposely.
“Oh. You remind me to call her today and tell her that I’m home. She’s doing better in Boston General Hospital.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
Wayne shook a tin of spices in his hands. “Full. You haven’t cooked for a while.”
“Check if they haven’t expired.”
Wayne did. “Too old.”
“We have to get fresh spices I guess.”
Wayne turned to him. “Yeah. Can I borrow your car keys?”
“Let’s drive together bro. There’s a lot of catching up we need to do.”
Wayne smiled and followed him out.

                                                                              #

The two left the house and acquired the ingredients in a market downtown. Many of the neighbors who saw the brothers together, were amazed.
They ended up getting more than enough groceries to suffice for a whole month. Carrying the bags in the house, Wayne thought of extending his leave. He looked forward to a lot of great things with his family. He thanked God for the change of his heart and for the renovation of his home.
             
                                                                #

Back in Manhattan, Victoria arrived the record company with the rest of the Faith Band.
She stayed outside the office of the producer with Deborah, waiting as Kyle and the original crew of the band, briefed the producer about the change of songs.
The whole band was fasted that day, to overtake the will of the producer and of the label company.
As Deborah and Vicky hovered anxiously in the waiting hall, the office door opened and the heavily built producer walked out with the Salvation CD. His face was red and wrinkled and Vicky crossed her fingers when he halted in front of her and Deborah.
The boys stood worriedly behind him.
“You are?” He asked Vicky.
“Victoria.” She replied, confidently.
“You insist that, I will love this song?”
She widened her eyes in assurance, nodding. “Yeah. Try it out.”
“Do you realize that, the market demands specific contents despite the beats and voices?”
“They will love it," was her response.
He sighed. “Follow me.” He said and instantly increased pace to a door at the end of the hall.
The band followed him, murmuring about what the producer spoke to the boys in his office.
“Keep praying in your heart guys.” Kyle whispered.

The producer led them to a large recording studio which also had more guys wearing the company shirts.
There was one other guy behind a glass wall, separating himself from his voice instructor, who stood in front of a set of controls.
At his entry, the crew turned to their boss and greeted him.
He signaled to the artist and faced the instructor, waving the CD to him. “Play this.”
“Okay boss.” The man replied and pressed a button at the bottom of the control machine. He inserted the disc when the compartment opened and they all waited as it loaded.
“It’s no rock.” The producer begun, discriminating the song when the beats started,
Vicky’s voice came with the refrain.
The crew stayed quiet, being fond of the voice.

There is salvation in no one else!
Except Jesus Christ who died for us.
For there’s no other name given among men!
By which we might be saved.

The crew smiled at the interjection of the boys’ voices in the first verse and as the song went on, some of them were cheering.
The producer had his eyebrows furrowed in queer. He did not expect the song to be that good.
The artist behind the glass had to abandon his post, in order to hear closely what the others were enjoying.
The rest of the band sighed with relief when at the last verse which Kyle sang, the whole room clapped and cheered.

“Kyle. I didn’t know that you could sing.”  The instructor said as the song ended.
Some of the other crew members pat Kyle’s shoulder.
He smiled modestly, thanking them.
“Who composed the beat?” Was the producer’s first question, before the instructor took out the CD.
“Our friend. Wayne Harts. He’s left New York though.” Kyle replied.
“Aside from minor acoustic corrections, the song can be produced as it is. What do you say boss?” The instructor said.
“It preaches about Jesus but, I’ve seen the reaction it causes in everyone’s heart.” The producer said to Kyle and turned to the crew. “We will produce the song.” He announced.
“YEEY!!” the band shouted, embracing each other with joy.
The crew laughed, being happy on their behalf.
“Thank you Jesus!” Kyle exclaimed.
“Amen thanks God.” Deborah, Vicky and the rest of the band said in turns.
The producer awed their faith. It touched his own heart.
“Okay. Back into the booth, Jeremy. Boys, girls? Please wait outside; we’ll do re-recording and make the corrections but, we will use the original beats.” The instructor told the artist, and directed the Faith Band.
“And one more thing boss,” Kyle said. “We would like a change of name.”
The producer arched his eyebrow in queer. “Yes?”
“We want a change of the name Fangs to Faith.” Kyle said.
His friends nodded.
The producer did not seem pleased by the proposition.
“You’ve changed your faith?” The instructor asked, before the producer said anything.
Kyle turned to him and said, "Yes."
“That will be a lot. Do you plan to always compose Christian music?” the producer asked.
Kyle turned to the others for support and they nodded to him. He faced the producer. “Yes.”
“If they will be as good as this then, alright.” The producer agreed.
The band exclaimed again, thanking God.
“Amen, Amen.” The instructor called aloud. “Faith band!”
The room laughed.
The producer took out the phone from his jeans pocket. “Let me call Counselor Martin. He’ll handle the paperwork.”
“Thank you boss.” Kyle said on behalf of his group.
“It’s fine.” He said simply and exited the room, talking with the lawyer.
The artist returned into his booth and the rest of the band, left the room, waiting for their turn to record.

                                                                              #

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TWO WEEKS - Episode 24

PART II : FINAL EPISODE

Wayne stood for some time beside Mike’s bed. The doctors had said that, Mike was going to recover soon as, blood was being transmitted to him. 
Watching Mike lay pale on the bed, Wayne prayed sensitively for his recuperation.
At one time, he opened his eyes, glanced at Mike and sighed, making the decision of leaving and return later in the evening.
“Water.”
Wayne heard a whisper that made him turn back to the bed.
“Water," Mike murmured with his eyes closed.
Wayne broke into a short silent laugh and drew to a table beside the bed where a water bottle and a pack of cotton wool were. 
He dabbed the wool with the water and touched Mike’s dry lips with it. “Save your strength bro. You will be fine.” He told him.
Mike lifted his eyelids slowly, managing a smile as he recognized his friend. “Wayne… ma men.”
Wayne laughed. “That’s right. I’m here men.” He said before retreating the wool to its place.
Mike coughed a little and Wayne turned to him.
“Are you okay? How are you feeling?” Wayne asked him.
“I can’t feel my right shoulder. I was shot, right?” Mike replied and asked.
Wayne nodded. “Yes.”
“Oh.” Mike sighed and took some time, gathering strength to add, “do they know who shot me?”
“Yes.” Wayne replied.
“Where is she?” he inquired in agony.
“They took her to the station. Mr. Hurts is working on her bail. She will be fine and out soon.”
“It was my…” he swallowed. “My fault Wayne. Please get Posh out of there and tell them I shot myself.”
“They got the video. But, she’s going to get out.”
Mike stayed silent. He struggled to speak and shut his eyes, lazily opening them again. “I never thought that, my life will get to this.” He said painfully.
“Mike. You don’t have to continue this way either.”
Unlike Wayne expected, Mike released a tear. “I was dying, right?”
“You lost a lot of blood it’s a great thing that, I found you just in time.”
Mike smiled a little at that. “Thank you men.”
“Thank God. He has given you another chance to live. Jesus still has a purpose with your life.”
He eyed him for a while. “I see that, you’ve changed.”
Wayne smiled, nodding. “It’s God.”
“Two weeks, right?” Mike asked.
“Yes.” Wayne replied, just realizing that. “Can a man encounter God and his life not change?” he wondered loudly.
Mike looked away. “That African girl was right.” He admitted. “She never assimilated our ways. God is superior than anything. Truly, he doesn’t forsake those who cling to him.”
Wayne narrowed his eyes staring at Mike. He was amazed by the heavy words by which spoke. Was he dying or something?
“Mike?” Wayne called.
Mike turned back to him. “Yes?”
“Do you wish to receive Jesus?”
“Do you think that, he would like me? I am not worthy to be called a Christian.”
“The Bible says that, I came to call the sinners and not the righteous to repentance.” He said and drew closer to emphasize, “Mike, you are more than qualified to be a Christian.”
He swallowed, releasing more tears. “I don’t want to receive him and get back to drugs. I don’t want to be an addict, Wayne. I want to be God’s and his completely.”
Wayne nodded strongly with tears sparkling his eyes. “I am sure that, Jesus will make you, wholly his.”
Mike managed a chuckle.
Wayne smiled. “Okay. Repeat after me. Our father who art in heaven.”
Mike shut his eyes and repeated emotionally, “Our father who art in heaven.”
“Thank you because you love me.”
“Thank you because you love me.”
“Thank you for sending Jesus, to die on the cross for me.”
“Thank you, thank you for sending Jesus, to die on the cross for me.”
“Please forgive all my sins.”
“Please forgive all my sins.”
“Please help me to follow you, Lord.”
“Please help me to follow you, Lord.”
“And make me yours completely.”
“And make me yours completely.”
“I deny Satan and all his works.”
“I deny Satan and all his works.”
“And I accept Jesus Christ as the savior of my life.”
“And I accept Jesus Christ as the savior of my life.”
“Amen.”
“Amen.”
Mike reopened his eyes and so did Wayne.
“How do you feel?” Wayne repeated the same question that, Vicky asked him two weeks past when she led him through the prayers of repentance.
Mike glanced at him. “Maybe lighter.”
Wayne smiled. “And you will be healed.”
Mike smiled and shut his eyes slowly. “I think, I’m falling asleep.”
“It’s the medication.”
“It’s Jesus” Mike corrected him and dozed off.
Wayne grinned, thanking God inwardly.

#

The evening of that day, Vicky arrived the large Music hall of the Derby. She paused at the threshold staring at the empty hall.
There was a pack of seats at one side, close to a set of violin and classical music instruments. A row of the audience seats was situated at the opposite side and a recording booth with a glass entrance, was stationed just few yards behind the audience chairs.
The music hall was alone and quite. She didn’t expect to find it that way.
Nevertheless, Vicky walked in and sat at the front row of the audience, staring emptily at the violins.
She sighed.
Truly the group was occupied with the shooting that took place earlier that morning. It was not too widespread but, there were rumors of it.
Thinking about that, Vicky shut her eyes in prayers, asking God for his mercies to class 100.

“I knew I’d find you here.”
A voice that filled the hall, interrupted Vicky and made her span around quickly.
“Sorry. I startled you?” It was Wayne. He asked, climbing down a couple of stairs to the audience seats.
She smiled a little. “No. I have been worried about you.”
He smiled back, having drawn close enough to give her a handshake. “Thank you.”
“Tell me what happened.” She requested.
He sighed with exhaustion and sat next to her. “Men, I had a long day but, I thank God because, everything worked out fine in the end.”
“That is great to hear. And who was shot?”
“Oh, so I see that the news has already spread.” He reckoned.
She shook her head. “I found out through other means. The issue is merely a rumor.”
“Okay. It was Mike.”
She seemed sorrowful but, did not express surprise. “I am very sorry. How is he doing right now?”
“He is out of danger. The doctors have assured us that, he would be fine.”
She smiled gladly. “That is great and your other friend?”
He furrowed his eyebrows. “Who are you talking about? Posh?”
“So, it’s her.”
He grimaced. “What was your source?”
“God told me.”
He raised his eyebrows in amazement. “Wow. Really?”
“Yes and led me to submit your assignment.”
His mouth dropped open in amazement. “What? Now I understand why, Mr. Hurts said that, he received my assignment.”
She grinned.
“Truly, God is good.” He acknowledged.
“All the time.” She replied.
He nodded and said. “Anyway, Posh is out on bail.”
“That is great.”
“Right. Thank you for your prayers.”
“You’re welcome.” She replied smiling. “So, you said something like, you were looking for me?”
He nodded. “Yeap. I checked you at your place but, I couldn’t find you.”
“I thought we would have rehearsals. I missed the fact that, the whole band’s made of your class.”
“Oh yeah. The guys were a bit shaken by what happened. Some are at the hospital, others are at Posh’s place showing support; you understand.”
“I do and… you are here.”
“Yes.” He said and paused, to add. “I’ve got news about Annie.”
Her face became inquisitive. “How is she? How did it go in New Mexico?”
He sighed. “Her father died.”
She blinked quickly, freezing as she absorbed the news. “Oh my God,” she whispered.
“Yes.” He affirmed. “Mr. Hurts informed us that, Mrs. Earl took leave from the office to stay longer in New Mexico after her husband’s death.”
She sighed deeply. “I can imagine how much a tragedy this is to Annie. Have you talked to her?”
“I tried calling her since this afternoon and left plenty of messages. She is not reachable. I wanted to make her aware that, she is not on her own.”
“I miss her so much, I wish that I could speak to her.”
“Same here.” He said and sighed. “When are you going to have your phone?”
She scratched her head. She did not expect that question. “Well. I want to have a laptop first.”
“I can lend you money to purchase a new phone. You’ll return to me whenever you can.”
“Thank you very much. I will be fine.”
“It’s important that you have a mobile phone. I tried to reach you earlier today but, I couldn’t get to you. Now I just have to guess where you may be or, the Holy Spirit has to guide me.”
She laughed a little. “Let the Holy Spirit guide you.”
“He’s guiding me to give you a loan for a phone.”
“Come on Wayne? I will be fine.”
“And if I want to reach you while I’m away?”
She raised her eyebrows in surprise. She was puzzled by two things; him wanting to reach her and him going away.
“Don’t look at me like that. You know that, you are the only person that I can confide to about a lot of things; spiritually, socially.” He paused, finding more words. “I am going home tomorrow to see my family. I am scared.”
She took a moment to respond. He sounded really terrified and she wanted to choose her words carefully. A word came to her mind. “Psalm 37:5 says; commit your way to the Lord, trust in him and he will act.”
He took out his phone from his pocket and perused his Bible app. “37 verse 5… okay; commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will act.” He read and turned to her, surely waiting for the sermon.
“Tell God where you’re going and all about your journey. Tell him how you feel about it and just trust that, he will sustain your mother’s life and your family’s welfare. He will surely act.”
He nodded silently.
“You know, the issue about trusting is; for example when you were kid and your dad would go to work and tell you that, he will bring you a present. You would go around the house joyfully and even tell the neighbors’ kids that, you are going to have a toy or a present from your daddy.” She explained and he laughed a little. She smiled too and added, “so, with God its’ the same. Only that, he has more power and influence than our earthly fathers.”
“Yeah. You’re right, you’re right.” He agreed, nodding.
“Go to the same Psalm. Chapter 12 and verse 6.” She instructed him.
He perused the Word again. “The promises of the Lord are promises that are pure, silver refined in a furnace on the ground, seven times,” he read.
“So, there. God never lies. Trust in him and he will act.”
He nodded to that and lowered the phone to his lap. “Thank you Vicky. I want you to know that, you have been so good to me. May God bless you so much.”
She smiled modestly. “Amen thank you Wayne.”
“I’ll tell my mom about you.”
She laughed a bit. “Wow. Thank you.”
He pocketed his phone. “So, I won’t talk to you till I get back?” he asked.
“You can leave me with your number.” She suggested.
“Do you have a place to write?” He asked.
She turned to her bag to look for a pen and a piece of paper but, could not find them. “I thought I carried… oops, I left my diary on the bed.”
“Okay it’s alright then, you can call me through Kyle or either of the boys from the band or Posh.”
She nodded.
He rose. “What can I get you from Ohio?”
She grinned, making her comely face, look like a baby. “Oh. It’s not necessary.”
“Seriously, tell me, what do you like?”
She glanced away, vainly searching among the violin sets for her thing. “I’m not sure. I’m no fond of anything special.”
“Okay. What’s your favorite color?”
“Green Apple.”
He nodded. “I’ll remember that.”
She smiled brightly. “Thank you. What time will you be leaving?”
“I’ll take the first flight that leaves to Ohio tomorrow morning. So, right now I’m going to my apartment to pack and go to JFK this very night.”
“They also have local flights there?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay. I wish you a safe journey. I’ll be praying for you.”
He offered a smile. “Thank you. Are you going to be here for long?”
She looked around. “Not for long. I’ll try playing a violin, I guess and then, get back to my place.”
He nodded. “Okay, good bye.” He said, bending his back to offer her an unexpected air-kiss that also got her off-guard.
He turned around and left.
Vicky paused there for a while, contemplating what just happened.
She then shook her head and rose from her seat, to try the violin sets on the stage.

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TWO WEEKS - ORTEGUN SHOOTING

Episode 21

“Posh? Posh?” Wayne and Gregory took turns calling their friend as they stood outside her apartment door.
“Get out!” She sounded crying from inside the house.
“Posh please? It’s us. Your friends. Please open the door and we can help you. Please?” Wayne asked.
“I don’t need your help!” Posh cried. “Get out! Go away!”
Wayne sighed.
Greg took the floor and said, “Posh please? No one knows yet, about what happened to Mike. We want to talk to you first.”
“I killed him. I killed him!” Posh cried.
Wayne banged the door. “Posh. You have not killed him.”
“I know that I killed Mike. Stop lying that I didn’t. Now, I deserve to die.”
“No, no. Posh!” Wayne shouted, bursting the door open.
He and Gregory panted, staring at Posh with their eyes popped out.
She was struggling with a bed sheet tied around her neck and her legs hanging in the air above a turned over stool. The sheet wrapping her neck was connected to a still fan on the ceiling board of her living room.
“Posh!” Wayne cried, running hastily to grab her body and leveling her in the air.
She coughed, crying and breathing heavily.
Gregory straightened the stool and climbed it, helping to loose the sheet around Posh’s neck.
“You don’t have to do this, Posh.” Wayne told Posh, maneuvering her to a long sofa behind them.
“No.” Posh disagreed between coughs. “I’m a murderer and I killed… I killed Mike.”
Gregory joined them. “He is not dead, Posh. And neither is he going to die.”
“Take in a deep breath, please?” Wayne asked her.
She shook her head, crying. “I don’t want to live. I don’t, I don’t deserve it.”
“Don’t say that Posh.” Greg requested her. “Everyone deserves a chance to live. You do too and we are here for you. More than that, God is here for you.”
Wayne nodded to that, taking Posh’s hands. “God loves you Posh. And he has given you a chance to live again.”
She increased crying. “But, I killed him, Wayne. God isn’t going to love me. Everyone will hate me. The police are going to come after me and I will go to jail.”
“You’re not going to jail.” Wayne told him with unimaginable certainty.
She shook her head. “You don’t understand. I left the gun in Mike’s place. When the Police take the prints, they are going to come after me.”
Wayne narrowed his eyes at her statement. He did not know if he was ready to address it until Gregory did.
“The gun? It was in Mike’s hand when I arrived.” Gregory said.
She turned to him. “I just dropped it on the floor. There, inside his room. I left so quickly and left the door open. The police would have easily found him.”
Now Wayne was alert. “The door was locked. And, Mike was lying at the threshold of his corridor when I arrived. He had the gun in his hand.”
“Wait. The door was locked from the inside or the outside?” Gregory asked Wayne.
“Inside.” He replied.
Posh sighed. “I don’t understand.” She confessed.
“I think I do.” Wayne said. His lawyer instincts were now working effectively. “After you left, it is possible that, Mike dragged himself with your gun to the exit and locked the door. He wanted to make it look like a suicide though, vainly because, the wound was on his shoulder. He was probably on the way to terminate the last evidence that would be the video when, he lost strength and fell between his living room and corridor.” He said, leaving the others puzzled.
“He wanted to protect you.” Gregory concluded.
Posh was speechless. She was not sure of what to think.
“You have the phone?” Gregory asked him.
“Yes.” Wayne agreed and slightly pay his coat pocket. “But, we cannot stay with this information for long. If things get more untidy and it get into the hands of the police, we will all be apprehended for concealing vital information that could help with the case. We have authority over this video and Mike’s phone so long as,” he turned to Posh. “We are your legal representatives.”
She did not agree. “Wayne. I don’t think that, I want to go on. I don’t deserve your help or Mike’s concern. I am a murderer.”
“You are not. Everybody on this earth makes mistakes. You deserve a second chance. Mike is going to live and I am sure that, he will also be on your side.” Wayne comforted her.
She sighed deeply and remained silent in heavy thoughts.
“Posh. There is nothing that, God can’t fix. Even this situation. Believe it.” He added.
She glanced at Wayne once. “You think that… I’m… but, I’m a bad person.”
“We all are. But, Jesus died on the cross for us to take away all our sins. If you accept him, Posh and entrust him even with this matter, he is going to fix everything in a way that you will be so amazed.” Wayne assured her.
“Jesus changed our lives, Posh. He is also able to change yours.” Gregory added, standing behind Wayne, at the sofa.
She broke into a cry. “My life is a mess. I’ve never been good at anything than messing up.”
“So have I been, Posh.” Wayne told her. “But, with God, there’s a chance of recovery and living the best life no matter who you were.”
She squeezed her eyes shut, listening to her heart. For the first time, she was willing to accept the Word of God. She opened her eyes, taking a deep breath and nodded strongly. “Alright.”
Wayne smiled a bit and said. “Please, repeat after me. Dear father?”
“Dear father.” She cried, with her eyes closed.
“Thank you because you love me.”
“Thank you because you love me.”
“Thank you for sending your only son Jesus who died on the cross for me.”
“Thank you for," she sniffed, "for sending your only son Jesus who died on the cross for me.”
“I pray that his blood wash away all of my sins.”
“I pray that his blood wash away all of my sins.”
“I accept Jesus Christ into my life.”
“I accept Jesus Christ into my life.”
“And I pray that, his peace fill my heart.”
“And I pray that, his peace fill my heart.” She repeated and exhaled. She felt relieved to unleash a burden from her heart.
“Thank you Jesus.”
“Thank you Jesus.” She said and reopened her eyes.
Wayne smiled at her. “Now. Remember that, it is God who will be taking care of your matter. Don’t think about it. Since we have the last evidence, if at all the police comes to anyone, it will be after me or Greg, who were the first to find Mike shot in his apartment.” And he returned to her, her shoe.
“What do I do?” She asked afterward, calmer now.
“Stay here.” Wayne told her and twisted his head to glance at Greg and then back at Posh. “We are going to check out how Mike is and talk to Mr. Hurts.”
“Remember, Posh. Everything is going to be fine. More because, Mike wants to keep you safe. If he recovers soon, it will be good for all of us.” Gregory added.
Posh took in a deep breath and nodded.
“Wayne. Will you give me a minute?” Gregory asked.
Wayne turned to him and rose. They drew to a corner of the room while Posh crossed her arms below her chest, thinking about her life.
She wondered if Jesus would make her organized and composed like how Wayne and Gregory turned out to be.

                                                                              #

At the corner, Greg told Wayne, “do you think that, we can just leave her on her own after she just made an attempt on her life?”
Wayne was silent for a while. He realized that, he could not trust that. “What are we going to do? I don’t think that, she would be comfortable wandering with us.”
“No but, maybe we should get somebody to stay with her.”
“Who?” Wayne wondered aloud.
“Vicky” Gregory replied. “She is a good girl and well, she has a good side. She can help to clear Posh off her worries and even tell her more about God. Vicky knows how to do it.”
Wayne nodded. “Yes. You are right.”
“Do you have her number?” Gregory asked.
Wayne shook his head. “No but, I can call the apartment.”
“Do that.” Gregory told him.

Meanwhile in Mr. Hurts’ office, Mr. Hurts rounded his desk and stood in front of his seat. “Yes. What is it about?” He asked Vicky who stood at the other side of the desk.
She extended the blue file down to the desk. “This is Wayne… Astrophe’s assignment.”
Mr. Hurts frowned. “Get out of my office!”
She sighed. “Sir. He has a terrible problem.”
“Miss…”
“Victoria.” She helped.
“Whatever you call yourself! I am not accepting anymore lies or excuses from Astrophe Harts. Get out of my office, now!”
“His friend was shot!” She burst and covered her mouth afterward, she did not know where that came from.
Mr. Hurts’ eyes widened.
Though Vicky tried to stop herself, she could not help it. “A class member of yours, named Mike. Astrophe needs your help and if you don’t intervene, class 100 will be tarnished because the whole incident involves your class.” She said and paused, feeling terrorized by the words she said.
Mr. Hurts stared shockingly at Vicky.
Immediately, the door opened and Mary appeared.
Vicky turned to her along with Mr. Hurts.
“Sorry professor but, there was a shooting in the East Circuit. One named Mike Reeds, he belongs to your class, was shot and they took him to the hospital outside campus.” Mary reported.
Vicky gulped. How could she have known that?
Mr. Hurts turned to Vicky. “Thank you young lady.” He said and faced Mary. “Please consult the Dean's office. Find out if they are informed and ask them to remain confident. We cannot afford a public unrest.”
Mary nodded and left quickly.
Mr. Hurts glanced at Vicky. “Did Astrophe tell you who shot Mike or, did he do it himself?”
She shook her head. “I don’t know.”
He rounded his desk, about to leave. “Okay. I’m going to take care of this.” He said and added. “Thank you. You can leave.”
She thanked him and left.

                                                                              #

“There is no one answering.” Wayne announced.
“So, what now?” Greg asked.
Wayne took some time, pondering over the situation. “I don’t know. We have to take the risk?” He asked.
“We have to go look for her.” Greg suggested.
“Let’s do this. Stay behind. I’ll fetch Vicky and see if I can get in touch with Mr. Hurts.”
He nodded but, he got a thought afterward. “Or, we can also call Miley.”
“Isn’t she in class or something?”
“I doubt that, there would be any class after what happened. First, we, who were supposed to present, are missing and then, our fellow member was shot.”
Wayne agreed with a nod. “Yeah. Call her in.”
Greg took out his cellphone and drew to a corner.
Wayne turned to Posh to share with her more comforting words.
After a few minutes over the phone with Miley, Greg returned back to the two and said, “she’ll be here shortly.”
Wayne nodded to him and rose. “So, we’ll leave you with Miley so you won’t have to be alone.”
She smiled a little. “Thank you.”
“Oh and,” Gregory begun and went behind the sofa to whisper in Posh’s ear. “Will you please convince her for me, to marry me?”
Posh giggled. For a moment, she had drawn apart from her sorrow.
Wayne wondered what Greg had told her.
Greg stretched his back and said to Wayne, “so, we can leave.”
“Alright.” Wayne agreed and rose from the sofa to leave the apartment.
He thanked God for winning one soul for Christ and requested for his presence in their impending journey.

                                                                              #

what happened next? stay tuned to find out.
#twoweekstory

TWO WEEKS - ORTEGUN SHOOTING

Wayne did as he was told; practicing faith, showing love and reading the Word of God. He also sent Sasha Bible verses and the sermon which he had recorded on Sunday.
Sasha followed up on the sermon and downloaded a Bible app which, she was faithful to visit frequently while in the hospital.
Greg was also praying to God for Miley to give her life to Jesus and to agree to marry him. He prayed in the spirit more than with his mind.
Every night, the Faith Band had more spectators and Kyle already agreed to take Wayne’s beats into the song.

On Friday of that same week which Wayne expected to present his group assignment, he thought of visiting his friends who he had isolated for a long while.
The morning of the day, after the jog and shower, Wayne visited Mike’s ghetto, clad in a fine blue suit. He wanted to look his best for the presentation.
He stood outside the apartment door, knocking.
There was no response.
“Mike?” Wayne called. “It’s your buddy. Wayne here.”
There was silence.
He knocked again but, to no avail. No one answered.
Wayne sighed. “He’s high again.” He reckoned and shouted, banging the door, “Mike? Mike open up! You’re going to die if you continue this way.”
There was silence.
Wayne hit the door with his side twice and it opened, bringing down a few screws from the inside locks.
He glanced at the detached bolts on the polished wooden floor and by chance, caught sight of a blood spill.
His eyes widened in shock and followed the spill to the exit of the room where Mike lay, shirtless with his chest against the floor and with a fire arm in his hand.
Wayne gasped, kneeling down to turn him over. “Mike? Mike? My God!” He cried, beholding a stained bullet hole on Mike’s shoulder.
“Oh my Jesus! Mike?” He called, hastily taking out his phone to contact someone. He hoped that, Mike was still alive. “Oh My God please pick up, pick up.” He prayed right before the call was received.
“Hello?” Gregory sounded and added quickly before Wayne had the chance to speak, “where are you man? Mr. Hurts will be here any minute.”
“Gregory. It’s Mike. I think he was shot or he shot himself. I don’t know!”
Gregory became alarmed. “What? Where are you?”
“At his apartment. He is bleeding heavily, I don’t know if he is still alive man.” Wayne said, rubbing his hair back in anguish.
“Okay. Stay there I’m coming. I’ll call the ambulance.”
“Come quick man. Please?”
“Okay, Okay. I’m there in a minute.” Gregory said and hang up.
Wayne drew a deep sigh, slithering against the wall to the floor. “Oh My God why is this happening? Please Jesus. Please, please keep him alive. I beg you, my God.” He cried.
Get up. He thought.
He couldn’t. He was too traumatized. “Not another tragedy Jesus. Please spare him Jesus. You can heal. I was told so.”
Get up. The thought came again.
He lazily got on his feet, leaning on the wall. His legs were too weak to keep himself aright.
Go to the room. The thought came and he dragged himself to the next door at the opposite end of the vast corridor which they were.
He opened the door and revealed Mike’s bedroom. The bed was untidy with white sheets on it. The floor, which Wayne thought he was supposed to look into, was normal except for a shoe which he was sure, did not belong to Mike.
He walked into the room and picked it up. It was a black leather, too small for Mike’s foot and the only one on that floor.
He glanced at the bed and noticed Mike’s phone on it.
He walked to it and picked it up.
He was looking at himself.
He furrowed his eyebrows and took some time to register in his mind that a video was being captured. He checked the length of time and found it to be thirty minutes.
He saved it and perused Mike’s gallery before he could check the latest video.
He found himself swallowing.
Mike’s gallery was full of nude pics and videos of all the girls he went out with.
He turned back to the latest video and opened it.
There was Mike. He appeared to have been holding the phone far from himself in a selfie.
“What are you doing?” A familiar voice came behind the screen. 
Wayne guessed that, she was just next to Mike.
“Taking a selfie. Why?” Mike asked, grinning to the camera.
“I don’t like that.” Posh appeared later when Mike exposed her to the camera.
Wayne sighed.
The shoe belonged to Posh.
He placed his thumb to the 15th minute of the video and there was the ceiling of the room itself and a quarrel in the background.
“I am going to shoot you Mike!” Posh sounded very upset.
Mike was laughing. “What are you talking about babe? C’mon? It was just a snap!”
“Don’t come any closer Mike. Mike I’m warning you!”
Pa!

The sound of the gunshot was enough to trigger tears from Wayne’s eyes. He dropped the phone on the bed and covered his eyes with his palms. He was so sorry for his friends.
Clearly Posh was here some 30 minutes back and she shot Mike.
Just then Wayne heard some heavy footsteps in the adjacent room.
“Mike? Wayne?” Gregory’s voice came.
There were other people as Wayne heard but, he was too desperate to respond.
Luckily, Greg noticed the loosely opened bedroom door and took it, widening his eyes to find Wayne on the bed with a shoe in his hand.
Greg run to him. “Wayne?” He called him.
Wayne took in a deep breath. “It was Posh, Greg. She shot him.”
Gregory dropped his mouth open in shock. He could not believe it. “What… how?”
Wayne waved to him the phone. The video was still playing.
“Oh My God, Mike, Mike?” Posh sounded in the background of the ceiling board view on the phone screen. “Oh… What have I done?”
Greg turned to Wayne afterward, with Mike's phone in hand. “I don’t understand. How is it possible?”
Wayne shook his head. “I don’t even know how they could have been going out. I haven’t seen them for a while.”
Gregory glanced at the video and at the door then back at Wayne. “What are we going to do with this? The police are going to be here any minute.”
Wayne sighed and rose from the bed where he was seated with Posh' shoe. He looked around the room vainly, searching for answers. He turned to Gregory. “We have to find Posh.”
Gregory nodded. “And this? If anything worse happens to Mike, Posh will be done for.”
Wayne took the phone from his hand. “We have to keep this first and find her. She must be in shock and who knows what she could do. If anything happens to Mike we’re gonna have to defend her.”
“Wayne. We are merely second year students. We have no license.”
“Maybe not but, Mr. Hurts has. If Mike goes, Greg, I’m not willing to lose another friend.”
Gregory took a moment and nodded. “They are moving him out” he added out of their discussion.
“You came with the medics?” Wayne asked pocketing Mike's cellphone.
“Yes.”
“Okay. Let’s get out of here and find Posh.”

On the way to Posh’s place, Wayne asked God a thousand times why things happened the way they did. That was another tragedy in his life.
Nevertheless, he hoped that Jesus would take care.

They came to Posh’s apartment while Mr. Hurts arrived class 100. He had placed his hope in Wayne that, he would meet up to his end of the deal, and present the best case. But, unlike the professor expected; Wayne and the rest of his group were absent.
Mr. Hurts frowned at the news of Wayne’s absence. He cursed him and blamed himself for having trusted him. He returned to his office in furious rage, neglecting his lesson with the class 100.

Meanwhile, Vicky, going to campus for her private studies before lecture,  heard a voice in her head.
The Derby.
She furrowed her eyebrows. We have no rehearsal till later tonight.
Go to the Derby, Music hall I.
Now Vicky frowned. She remembered the embarrassing experience in that quarter of the university campus.
Go to the Derby, Music hall I. The voice repeated itself.
She sighed and feeling foolish, deviated from her path to the main quarters, briskly walking to the West circuit.
She kept watch for the security guard of the other night. She did not want to see him again.
She was thankful to God for meeting different guards. She greeted them and walked into the lobby, crossing paths with older men and women and feeling ridiculous.
What am I doing here? She asked herself.
She walked to the end of the hall and before she could reach the Music hall, the voice returned in her mind. Turn left.
She turned to her left and noticed a fairly hidden exit of red swing doors. There was a label on them written.

LAW DEPARTMENT

She took the exit and entered a small hallway which had a reception desk at one end, a waiting couch opposite it; and another glass door with another label.

HOD
Head of Department
Att. Hurts Schneider

She walked to the reception and greeted an old lady behind the desk. “Good morning?”
“Good morning.” The lady replied warmly. “You’re here for Mr. Hurts? Oh you better see him quickly and give him this.” She said waving a blue file to Vicky.
Vicky furrowed her eyebrows, receiving it. “It’s a…?”
“The assignment. That belongs to Astrophe. You’re in the same group, right?”
Vicky did not know what to say. She could not avoid nodding. She then asked, “Astrophe is, in class?”
The lady shrugged. “I wouldn’t know but, Mr. Hurts returned earlier than I expected. I think that, there was no presentation. But, you, go inside and explain to him what’s going on with that assignment in hand.”
Now Vicky was more confused. She did not think that, she knew what was going on. But, she knew deep inside that something was wrong with Wayne.
He had already told her that, doing well in the presentation was his only way to see his mother.
Before she could say another word, the HOD door opened and Mr. Hurts appeared.
Vicky spanned around to face him. He was such a rigid looking black man.
“Mary, has the DFL arrived? I want you to submit the class 100 work, now.”
The receptionist picked up a receiver at the end of her desk. “I’ll check but, this girl has got something to tell you.”
Mr. Hurts waved his gaze to Vicky, who took in a deep breath and nodded to him.
“Are you a freshman? I don’t deal with first year students.” Mr. Hurts said hoarsely.  From the way Vicky looked in a sea blue dress, she was clearly not of his class.
Vicky held Wayne’s file close to herself and said. “It is very important.”
Mr. Hurts took some time, debating that. For a reason he did not understand, he opened the door to his office, walking in first. “It better be. I give you a minute.”
Vicky sighed with relief and followed the stern tutor into his office.

                                                                              #

what happens next? stay tuned to find out.
right here at multtalentedp.blogspot.com #twoweeksstory

TWO WEEKS - Episode 19

As in all the Sundays, Wayne went to Boston to visit his girlfriend.
He was happy when the nurse told him that, Sasha was awake. He went up to her room, paused a few seconds outside the ward door and, prayed before he got in.
He pushed the door open slowly and revealed Sasha sitting on the bed, with her legs hanging on the air. She bent her back, reviewing a couple of photos.
Wayne smiled. He knew immediately that they were the photos that he took with her the previous week. Thinking about the past week, he admitted that, a lot had changed in his life since then. Though there were no physical changes, the emptiness and the grief in his heart had disappeared.
She must have noticed the incomer because, after a few seconds, she turned her head to the entrance.
“Astrophe," she called in a low voice.
He beamed at her and shut the door behind himself, walking toward the bed.
“How are you doing?” He greeted, offering her a side kiss.
“I’m better” she replied.
He pulled the metal chair that usually hanged around in the room and sat facing her, relinquishing a bag with her gifts at the corner of the bed. “Really? What does the doctor say?”
“He says that, I have been responding well to the therapy. More than he expected.”
He laughed a little. “Not therapy. That’s Jesus.”
She raised her eyebrows in queer and almost whispered. “What?”
“I have been praying for you,” he told her charmingly.
She broke into a grin that made him seem a bit foolish. “You have been praying for me?”
He nodded. “Yeah.”
She managed a short laugh. “Okay. Thank you, I guess.”
He was silent for a few seconds. At that time, he thought that, he needed to declare his interests. “Sasha… I have to tell you something.”
“More surprises? Tell me.”
He shook his head, chuckling. “Alright. I know that, you used to see me as this person who is, well, a gangster maybe, an alcoholic… but, I have changed now.”
She grimaced and eyed him for a while. “Clearly. You weren’t the preppy kinda guy.”
He broke into a laughter and felt his khaki trousers. “No, no. It’s not the recent dressing style. In fact, I’m still working on it. I want to get suits. I’m a lawyer, you know?”
She nodded and sighed with exhaustion. “So, if it’s not the style then, what’s changed?”
He turned to the bag at the foot of the bed and picked it up, taking out his Bible from it.
She laughed. “Oh my God. You are a Christian?”
He turned to her. Inwardly, he felt a little bit shy to admit so. “Sasha, God has helped me with my nightmares.”
She laughed again and ended up coughing.
He held her quickly, releasing the Bible on the bed. “Are you alright?” He asked in panic.
“I’m fine, I’m fine.” She said, giggling.
“Let me pray for you,” he offered, recalling the lesson of exercising faith in church.
“No!” She retorted, jerking his hands with unexpected strength.
He gulped, staring at her in amazement. “Sasha. I’m only going to pray for you” he said, indignantly.
“I’m okay!” She snapped. “And I honestly do not agree with your Bible things.”
Wayne was very upset by her attitude. He begun to regret going there. Inwardly he wondered what he should do. Holy Spirit, please guide me? He asked.
She picked up the Bible and returned it to his lap. “Take that back. Let’s talk about other things.”
He sighed. “Sasha. Tell me why you don’t want to hear about God.”
“He doesn’t exist.” She replied quickly.
He frowned. “Why do you think that?”
“If he did, Astrophe. I wouldn’t be here right now.” She said, struggling with a lump of tears in her throat. “I wouldn’t be sick while all of my college mates have already begun their internship and are on their way to earn their careers.”
He sighed first. “Sasha. Have you ever welcomed God in your life? Have you ever entrusted your life to him?”
“I sang in church choir!” She cried. “Yes. When I was a little girl. I praised his name and, I thought that, he was a good God. But, he let me live such a seeming perfect life, only to kill me before I even graduated.”
Wayne took her hands. “Sasha. I can’t say that, I know much about God but, all I’ll tell you is that, he’s not who you say he is.”
“If not then why am I here?”
“Maybe you didn’t know him as much when you were a little girl and, he wanted to get you to this point so that, you can turn and serve him newly.”
“What are you talking about?” She asked with tears flowing her eyes.
He was delighted to take his Bible again. “I was reading the Word of God and I was so happy to come across this word...” he said, shuffling the Bible pages.
She was silent, frowning at him with impatience.
“Job, chapter 22 verse 21. The Bible says; Agree with God and be at peace, thereby good will come to you.” He read and turned to her whose eyes had widened with amusement. “So, there. There is no peace or good without knowing God. All the lives we live, we humans are being too self-centered, thinking about ourselves and not knowing that, it’s all about God. God wants us to know him and because, he is so bigger than ourselves; the things that we see to be impossible such as the treatment of Leukemia, are very much possible. He makes us go through trials so that, we can remember him and get the peace that we need.” He said and smiled, feeling refreshed as the words came out of his mouth. “God is going to heal you, Sasha, the minute you accept to turn to him.”
Sasha was silent; considering his words. “I used to read the Bible when I was a kid. I never came across that verse.”
“See? you need a Bible. I was watching CBN on Thursday evening and, I saw many people recover from various sicknesses, after turning to God. God can heal you too. Allow him to.”
She looked down and sighed. “But, I’m going to die.”
He lifted her chin to face him. “No. Don’t say that, please?” He requested her. “You are going to live. I am going to pray with you.”
She smiled a little, feeling comforted by the hope that he provided.
“Now, I can’t be coming here every night and I will go to Ohio next weekend to see my mother. So, all I’ll be doing is, sending you Bible verses and sharing with you some of the sermons of our pastor cause, I have them recorded in my phone. Will you be faithful to follow them?”
She took in a deep breath and nodded.
He smiled and gave her a long warm hug. “You’re going to be fine, Sasha. Tonight’s improvement is the first sign.”
“I hope so Astrophe” she said somberly.
He drew back and grasped her palms. “Let’s pray.”
She nodded.
He begun to pray by inviting God into the room and ask for his forgiveness. He sensitively asked God for her healing and for the healing of his own mother. Halfway through the prayers, Sasha was crying, asking God to start all over again with her. Wayne was touched and hurt by each tear she shed but, deep inside he was sure, Jesus was many times, touched by the pain, she was going through.

                                                                              #

Vicky had a full house the next morning. After Sunday’s show, she became more famous than ever before. The people who already knew her took the liberty of telling others that, she was the baker of the renowned Prettiz. So, guys, girls and even older guys and girls, visited her apartment for a pack of Prettiz.
She was still in her sports clothes, wearing a green apron over her sweatshirt, selling out her final packs to a couple of ladies when, Wayne arrived.
She had not seen him after the previous afternoon; not in the morning jog. He waved at her from afar and she smiled back at him.
“5 dollars?” One of the ladies asked, catching Vicky’s attention.
“Yes dear.” She replied.
The lady took out some money from her purse and handed it to Vicky.
“Thank you and God bless you.” Vicky bid her.
The girls left and Vicky sighed with exhaustion.
She was standing behind the window of the kitchen that connected to the living room where most of her visitors arrived to. They picked the stuff from that window.
“Hi," Wayne greeted, standing outside the window.
“Hallow,” She replied “how was your night?”
“Ah. Better than ever.” He said proudly, nodding.
“That is good. How can I serve you?”
“Four of those Prettiz I think. I also would like to talk to you.”
She turned to her counter and gave him a bag with four of the buns. “That would be, a buck.”
He gave a lopsided smile, taking out the cash from his wallet. “How has business been going?”
“As you can see, I have more customers. I thank God. Tithe pays off.”
“Tithe?” He asked, exchanging his money for his order. “Is that a new ingredient?”
“No. Tithe is the ten percent for every earning. For example if you earn a hundred dollars, you take 10 percent of it to church.”
He raised her eyebrows in amusement. “Ten percent. Oh. So, you say it pays off, how?”
“Because, you give to God; that means trusting God with your money. You know, God knows that, money can rule over men’s heart so, he wants us to trust with him. When we give tithe to church, we honor God’s word and he blesses our finances.”
He nodded slowly. “I will try that out though, I don’t have a job.”
“You can tithe your allowance. From the college or your family.”
He scratched his head and remained silent. Family was a sensitive topic to him then.
She glanced at the door and seeing that it had stayed for a while without opening, she turned back to him. “You had something to tell me?”
“Oh yeah.” He said and turned to the entrance then back to her. “Where can we talk?”
“Come inside.” She replied and took off the apron, turning to the kitchen.
He rounded the wall and entered the room, then pulled a chair and sat behind the round table, opposite her.
“Well, it’s about Sasha.” He said and waited for her reaction. She seemed to be caught a bit off-guard. “And my mother.” He added quickly.
She became mild.
“Vicky. I know that you are a prayerful person and I can say one of the few sensible people left on this earth. I trust you.”
She grinned. “Thank you. I give glory to God.”
“Amen to that.” He agreed and added. “So, my mother. She is suffering from Cancer. The last time that I communicated with home was a couple of weeks ago and my dad told me that, she had less than a month to live. That was before I received Jesus and now I know, admitting God into my life changes everything. So, I hope that, she is still alive. I look forward to see her at the end of the week after receiving my grades.” He paused getting more sensitive as he went on. “I am asking you to pray for me.”
She nodded. “First of all I would like to say that; I am happy that you believe that she would be alright. Our God is a miracle worker. He is a healer.” She said warmly and added. “I will pray for your mom, Wayne. And because, it’s very important, I will also fast to ask God for her recovery. However, since they are agreement prayers, you should also join in the fasting prayers.”
“Oh I will be praying. But, fasting you say? How does that work?”
“You can exempt yourself from the things you love to eat for a couple of hours while focusing on praying for your mom. If you can, you can also stay without food for up to twelve hours while praying for her.”
“Oh. I’ve never tried staying that long without food. You have?”
She smiled a little. Yes, fasting was her lifestyle. But, she wasn't going to brag. “Listen. There are many kinds of fasting. As you read the Bible, you will find that out but, basically there is; fasting from the things you love to eat, maybe sugar or candy. There is also fasting for hours without food but, drinking water; that mainly covers twelve hours. Also, fasting twelve hours without food or water; three days consecutively without food or water, seven days likewise and forty days without food or water and etcetera, basing on one’s own agreement between himself and God.”
“Oh. 40 days. That’s a long journey.”
“Yes but with a tremendous outcome.”
“I don’t know if I like sweets and well, I already stopped taking alcohol so, I’ll try out for the twelve hour fasting but, taking water.”
She nodded. “It’s alright and a nice step. When would you like to start?”
“Tomorrow. Is that okay?”
She nodded. “I’m ready. Do you already have a timetable for praying?”
“Yap,” he said. “I go to my ghetto twice in a day for personal prayers.”
“That is good. You can also request for God’s presence wherever you are.” She said and rose from her seat, turning to her shoulderbag at the one end of the table. “And what’s wrong with your girlfriend?” She asked, taking out a couple of plain papers and a pen from the bag.
She sat with the items at the table.
“Sasha. She is suffering from Leukemia. She was sicker when I saw her last week. I prayed for her and when I visited her again yesterday night, she was better.”
Her face became pitiful. “Oh. I am so sorry for her. But, she is going to be well. God is going to handle her health.”
He nodded and sighed. “So, you can see? There’s a hell of problems that I’ve been facing."
“She is going to be fine… Astrophe?”
“Oh.” He said, realizing for the first time that he had kept that truth from her. “Yeah. That is my first name. I was born as Astrophe Harts, the Wayne came in Ortegun when I was desperately looking for a way out, to hide from my past.”
She was silent for a short while, battling within herself to ask the next question. “You seem to have a complicated past, right?’
He drew a deep sigh before nodding in agreement. “Yeah. A long terrible story.”
She seemed sorry. “Ever thought of lifting the burden off your shoulder?” She asked, meaning to share.
“I would share my things with Sasha but, she also has a lot to bear. She was about to graduate see? But then, she fell sick and after diagnosis the doctors found out that, she had Leukemia. She was hospitalized and has been there for more than 7 months now.” He took a moment to add. “That and my mother’s condition has managed to make my life very miserable.”
“But, now you’ve met Jesus,” She reckoned.
He nodded strongly. “Yes and after the personal miracles I have experienced believing, I am sure that he will change my life and heal those I love.”
She smiled. “Surely he will.” She said and turned to the paper in her hand. “Have you ever come across Hebrews 11:1?”
He searched his pockets for his phone. “No. I know the Hebrews. They are the Israelites, right?”
“Yes. It seems that, you have been reading.” She reckoned.
He laughed a little. “Yeah. I finished the whole Genesis. Apart from John, of course. And I also perused other books. The Bible is very sweet.”
“Ezekiel 3 says so.”
“Thank you. I will check that out.” He said, scrolling his cellphone screen. “So. Hebrews 11:1” he repeated.
“Exactly.”
“It says here that… I shall read in the name of Jesus.”
“Amen.”
“Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things yet unseen.” He read and raised his glance to her. “I read this word to Sasha last week. Yesterday, I saw the the improvement.”
“Amen. God is a wonderful miracle worker.”
“Yeah. And you know, it was like, a voice speaking inside my mind telling me to open to this very verse.”
“It wasn’t just any voice. It was the Holy Spirit. After you receive Jesus Christ, the Spirit of God enters your heart and advises you in the Way to living a life worthy of praise and glory to God.”
“That is amazing then.”
“The Spirit also guides you in your studies.”
“What will I have to do to get that guidance?”
“Simple. Pray before you study.”
“May I have that?” He asked, glancing at the paper in her hand.
She passed it to him.
“And the pen, please?" He requested.
She gave it to him and he begun to note down.
“So. Pray. Give tithe and what else do I do to make a good Christian out of myself?” He asked.
“Hebrews 11:6”
He turned to his phone. “Without faith it is impossible to please him, for he who comes to God must believe that He exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” he glanced at her. “Wow. Faith is everything aye?”
“Yes.”
He noted down. “And what else?”
“Colossians 3:16.”
“Mm. Lets’ check that out.” He said and scrolled on his phone, asking “is it in the New Testament?”
“Yes. Just after Philippians.”
“Seen it. Okay. 3 verse 16. The Bible says in Colossians; Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” He read and noted that down. “So, I have to be reading the Bible often?”
“Yes. Get addicted to reading the Word of God and to pray.”
He nodded. “I will exercise that and await the results.”
“Surely you will.”
He dropped the pen on the table. “Thank you very much. Anymore?”
“Surely. Love your neighbor as you love yourself. Show kindness and love to all men.”
“Oh. Jesus said that.”
“Yes. In John and all the other Gospels.”
He took the pen again and wrote on the paper. He tapped his phone as he did and after a while, retreated the pen. “Thank you very much.”
She smiled receiving it. “You are welcome.”
He pushed back his chair, rising. “Well. I’ll see you later during practice.”
“Okay.”
“Bye.” He said and walked out.

Victoria turned to the table afterward and made silent prayers. “God. Thank you for my recent success," she begun. “I can finally begin to save for my new laptop and buying a new phone.” She paused to add, “I am asking you to intervene in my friends’ lives; Wayne, Annie. Annie left more than two weeks ago and we haven’t heard from her since. Her father was ill and she left because of that. Wayne’s mom is also sick and he is worried about finding her alive when he has to leave next week.” She sighed. “God I believe in you as a healer as your word says so in Exodus 15:26. I request for the healing of Wayne’s mom. You know how much she means to him. Please show yourself in his life and rectify it as you see fit.”
She continued praying until half an hour later and she left the room, to prepare herself for classes.

                                                                              #

TWO WEEKS - Episode 18 (Holy Spirit)

Sunday morning, Vicky dressed up in a new purple knee-length dress. That was the first dress that she bought in America. She purchased it after setting apart tithe from her food business and sending 100$ to her sister’s account through Western Union, for her mother. She was so happy to have such a success in the food business. She knew that, soon she would be able to buy a phone and collect money to buy her new laptop.
She pampered her braids in front of her bedroom mirror and turned to the bed where she picked her shoulder-bag and left the room.

As she neared the church, she lowered her motion, amazing a handful of familiar guys hovering outside the church doors. 
She walked closer and greeted Wayne, Gregory, Kyle and the rest of the band members.
“You’re late." Wayne said. 
“No. The service starts at 9.” She replied and checked her watch. “Right, it’s 9:15.” She turned back to them. “Why are you outside?”
“Your pastor invited us to sing in your church.” Kyle replied.
Vicky smiled. “That is great. Were you waiting for me?”
“Wayne actually.” Gregory answered.
“Suddenly, they can’t sing without me.” Wayne added.
Vicky agreed to that. “That’s right. No one can play the keyboard like you.”
“I support Vicky.” Greg said.
“It’s also great to have you all for the mass.” Vicky said looking at Greg and Wayne. “So, are we going to rehearse or something? Where’s Debby?”
“She is inside, leading the service.” Kyle replied.
“The guys are all kinda anxious.” Fred, the oldest guy in the group told Vicky.
Vicky glanced at him and back at them. “Relax. We will be fine. It’s like, we have been practicing for this, the whole week.”
Kyle sighed.
“Are you unconvinced, Kyle?” Wayne asked, patting Kyle’s shoulder.
“Ah it’s alright.” he agreed, reluctantly.
“So, let’s go in.” Vicky suggested.
They followed her inside and Wayne for the first time in his life, stepped into a church.
When he did, there was some music playing and Deborah stood at the stage, singing a slow song with her eyes closed. Members who had already arrived, stood in front of their seats with their hands raised.
Wayne was captivated by the words of the song.

“We give you all the glory
We worship you O Lord
You are worthy to be praised.”
The chorus was numerously repeated.
He bluntly followed the guys to a bench in the back rows while, Vicky walked to sit at the front.
Wayne shut his eyes and raised his hands to the air, following what the Christians were doing. He hoped that, they were worshiping God.
He did too, thinking about how God had given him peaceful nights and a second chance to do his group assignment.
As he sang, he felt his hair strands standing, it was divinely refreshing to recite those spiritual lyrics, sincerely, from his heart.
When Deborah begun to pray, he uttered his own words of thank you to the Almighty God and eventually, requested for his intervention in his assignment, mother’s and Sasha’s health.
He found himself having more words to pray than other times. By the time the prayers ended, he clapped his hands saying many Thank you’s to Jesus.

“Amen.” The pastor walked forward and said, holding a mic and an opened Bible. “Thank you Deborah. Our God is good?”
“All the time.” The church chorused.
“Amen and all the time?” The man of God asked again.
“God is good.”

Wayne was smiling, nodding to that true greeting.

“Please open your Bible quickly to Mark 16 and let’s read together from verse 16 to 18,” the pastor directed.
Many people begun to shuffle the pages of their Bibles and at that time, Wayne blamed himself for not bringing over his Bible. However, he took out his phone and opened his Bible app. When he found Mark, he added another tab to launch a recording app. He did not want to miss anything from the service.

“The Bible says in Mark 16 from verse 16; whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. Verse seventeen says; and these signs will accompany those who believe; in my name they will cast out demons, they will speak in new tongues; verse 18; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick and they will recover.” The pastor read and begun to pray. “Father in the name of Jesus. We thank you for this opportunity of coming before you today. Father we would like to learn from you and we pray that you may teach us. I destroy and destruct any power or thought of darkness that is acting against this service, in the name of Jesus. As the Bible says in 2 Corinthians 10:5; we destroy all arguments and every proud obstacle to the knowledge of God and take every thought captive to obey Christ. Thus, I destroy every obstacle to the knowledge of God in this room and take the thoughts of everyone captive to heed your voice Jesus. We pray that, we may learn from you LORD; in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.”
“Amen.” The church chorused.
“Praise the Lord.” The pastor greeted.
“Amen!”
“If you are writing somewhere, please note as the head of today’s sermon; to exercise faith.” The pastor instructed and paused. “The Bible says that, whoever believes and is baptized will be saved but, he who does not believe will be condemned. The belief that is being talked about here is that faith in Christ Jesus. That is; he who believes in Jesus and is baptized, will be saved but, he who does not believe will be condemned. Now how many here have believed in Jesus? Just raise your hands.”
There were many hands. Wayne raised his hand as well.
“Amen. Thank you. So, the Bible goes on saying that, the signs will accompany those who believe_ in Jesus. Those who believe in Jesus, in Jesus’ name, they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues, they will pick up serpents and if they drink any deadly thing; it will by no means hurt them. They will their hands on the sick and they will recover.” He paused, relinquishing his Bible on the altar. “Praise the LORD!”
“Amen.”
“We have already believed. And because we do, these signs mentioned in the Bible ought to accompany us. We ought to exercise the faith that we have in Christ Jesus, otherwise it will be like, a turned off switch. If you won’t turn it on, no power will it give.” He paused for ‘Amen’ from the crowd and went on. “The Bible says that; in the name of Jesus, we will cast out demons; demons causing sicknesses, infirmities, depression, poverty; opposition to serving God to the standards that he deserves. Also, it goes on saying that, we will speak in tongues. Now, speaking in tongues comes after being filled with the Holy Spirit. When you receive Jesus Christ as the Savior of your life, the Spirit of God enters your heart and begins to instruct you about the Way of following Jesus. Being filled with the Holy Spirit happens when that Spirit of God abounds and overflows in your heart.” He taught and asked. “Can someone please open the book of John, chapter 4?” He walked to the altar and stood behind it, opening his Bible. “In the Book of John, chapter 4, we see Jesus, encountering a Samaritan woman.”

Wayne, recalled to have read that Chapter. He opened the book of John in his Bible app and perused it, listening to the pastor.

Kyle, who sat at three men past Wayne, glanced at Wayne who was tapping his phone and, furrowed his eyebrows. Does he have a Bible app or something? He wondered.

“Now, Jesus is telling the woman… Please, read verse 14; But, whoever drinks of the water that I will give him, will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water, welling up to eternal life.” The pastor read and shouted. “Hallelujah!”
“Amen.” The church shimmered.
“When you are filled with the Holy Spirit, out of your heart flows rivers of living water. Amen? Please read John again; chapter 7 verse 38.” The pastor said and opened his Bible to the page. “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” He turned to the congregation. “These words may be too hard to understand but, please bear with me for a second.” He paused, darting his eyes around the congregation. “The Spirit of God helps us in our weaknesses for we do not know how to pray as we ought. The Bible says so in Romans 8 verse 26. The Spirit of God also helps us in all of our daily endeavors. He bears all of God’s judgment about our actions. If you are filled with the Spirit of God, you can study better because it will be God teaching you. To exercise faith, you also need to be filled with the Spirit of God.”
There were some nods.

Wayne wondered who the Spirit of God was and what he did to people like him.

“The gift of the Holy Spirit is poured out to all who believe in Christ Jesus. That is why the Bible says; in my name they will cast out demons, they will speak in new tongues. Say Amen?” The pastor went on.
“Amen.” The church repeated.
“The Bible goes on and says that; they will pick up serpents. That means being fearless. Also, in prayers, we pick up the serpents; serpents causing strife, enmity, envy and all manner of evil. Please let us go to Luke 10:9.” He said and turned the pages of his Bible like the rest of the congregation. “Amen, the Bible says in Luke chapter 10 verse 19; Behold I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Amen?”
“Amen.” The mass replied.
“So, in prayers, we tread upon serpents and scorpions and over all the power of darkness causing diseases, distraction, poverty and all kinds of bad feelings or situations that we may be facing.” He paused to lay emphasis. “Listen, our battles are not against our friends or people that we see. If you see your friends quarreling, do not go among them and join the quarrel or, if a friend quarrels with you, do not go punching him or her like a carnal person.” He begun and raised his voice afterward. “Bind that spirit trying to cause strife amidst your friends or with you in the name of Jesus and cast it out!”
“Amen!” The church roared.
The pastor chuckled. “I see that, some of you are not getting me. Please, let us go to Ephesians 6:11.”
The congregation murmured with joy while shuffling the Bible pages.
“The Bible says; put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we are not contending against flesh and blood,” he paused, stressing the following words, “but, against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. HALLELUJAH!”
“AMEN!” The Church shimmered.

Wayne was nodding, understanding the preacher.

The keyboardist played some notes to add up to the excitement.
The pastor laughed, pacing in front of the altar. “I don’t think that, you still get me.”
The church laughed too.
He paused. “Okay. Open second book of Corinthians, chapter 10 verse 4. We’ll read up to verse 5.” He said and returned to the altar, where his Bible was. “Tell your neighbor, the weapons of our warfare are not of worldly fashion.”
“The weapons of our warfare are not of worldly fashion.” The members told each other.

Wayne told Greg so, seating next to him.

“Amen. The Bible says in 2Corinthians 10:4; for the weapons of our warfare are not worldly but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every proud obstacle to the knowledge of God and take every thought captive to obey Christ!”
“Amen!” the church roared.

“Amen.” Wayne agreed. He felt the power in the words.

“The Bible says in Mark that; if those who believe in Jesus drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them, Amen?” the pastor went on.
“Amen.”
The pastor sighed with exhaustion, lowering his tone. He wiped the sweat that was already wetting his face. “What is the remedy for poison?” he asked.
There were many answers.
“Okay. Let me put this straight. What is the local and common remedy for ingested poison?” He asked and called, “Vicky, can you try that?”
Vicky, sitting at the front seats grinned and rose. “Milk.” She replied audibly.

Wayne nodded to that.

“Thank you. You may have your seat.” The pastor said and turned back to the congregation. “Milk is the commonest and also the most active remedy for poison. It has got many nutritious elements and etcetera. She takes Bio, she understands more than me. But, behold, Jesus detoxifies any toxin!”
“AMEN!” the church exclaimed.
“Amen!” the pastor shouted. “Man of God. The Bible says; those who believe in Jesus; if they drink any deadly thing; IT WILL BY NO MEANS HURT THEM!”
“Amen!” many people shouted, rising and clapping their hands.
“So pray before you eat!” The pastor added funnily and the congregation laughed.
The pastor nodded. “Yeah. You gotta pray before your meal, else this word will not apply to you.
"If anything to destroy you is put in a drink or food, against your knowledge, it will have no effect on you!"
“Amen!” The crowd roared.
The pastor smiled. “Lastly, the Bible says in Mark 16 verse 18; they will lay their hands on the sick and they will recover.”
“Amen.” The congregation agreed, nodding.
“If you lay hands on your friends or on yourself for the sake of healing of that person or yourself; in the name of Jesus; there will be recovery!”
“Amen!” The church exclaimed.
“That is exercising Faith in Jesus Christ.”
“Amen.” The crowd chorused.
The background music begun playing as the pastor went on. “Now, we are going to stand up and ask God to give us the ability of exercising the Faith. We are also going to ask him to fill us with the Holy Spirit. If any of you can’t yet speak in tongues; please come forward.” He said and paused for a few seconds.
A person showed up.
“Amen. Please keep coming. We need the Spirit of God to teach us. He will unravel the mystery of God to you more than any minister would. He is with us when our pastors or preachers can’t see us. The Bible says in John 4:26; the counsellor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Those are Jesus’ words.”

More people showed up. Wayne still wondered if he wanted to go forward.

“Amen. That’s it. We will also destroy the evil spirit that is causing strife, wars, envy. We will cast it out in the name of Jesus. If there is any evil spirit, bad feeling, fear bothering you, we’ll just cast it out and deny it in Jesus’ name. Amen?”
“Amen.”
“Amen. Deborah?” The pastor called and moved back, giving space to the people that walked forward to the altar.

Wayne lingered in front of his bench. He was moved inwardly however, when Gregory passed him, going forward to join a couple of guys as Deborah sang a worship song.
Wayne swallowed, literally swallowing his pride and begun to take the steps across the aisle to the altar.

“Thank you. Thank you.” The pastor said. “Whoever has come forward and everyone here, I want to assure you that; God has a purpose for your life. He wants to teach you his ways. He wants to show you his trust. Please lift up your hands to the heavens and repeat after me; Father who is in heaven,”
“Father who is in heaven.” The crowd chorused.

Wayne sighed first and repeated in anguish. “Father who is in heaven.”

“I thank you because you love me.” The pastor sounded.
“I thank you because you love me.” The crowd at the altar repeated.
“Thank you for sending your only son to die on the cross for me and take away all my sins.”
“Thank you for sending your only son to die on the cross for me and take away all my sins.”
“I believe in Jesus Christ and acknowledge him as the savior of my life.”
“I believe in Jesus Christ and acknowledge him as the savior of my life.”
“God I want to follow you.”
“God I want to follow you.”
“Please fill me with your Spirit that he may teach me your ways and all about how I should live.”
“Please fill me with your Spirit that he may teach me your ways and all about how I should live.” They rephrased.
“Okay. Now, start thinking about God; tell him how much you need him and tell him thank you, so many times. When the Spirit of God overflows inside you, you will just know it. When you no longer have control of what you are saying, do not worry, you are speaking in tongues.”

Wayne felt tears tingling his eyes when he recounted to God how much he needed him. He acknowledged just how empty he was and felt without God. Eventually, he followed the pastor’s word to say thank you and he kept repeating thank you Jesus, continually.

“Receive the Holy Spirit in Jesus’ name! Receive in the name of Jesus!” The pastor shouted as Deborah raised her voice in the worship song.
At one time, Wayne felt his thirst quenched like he had drank very cool water. Before he knew it, in an instant; he was shouting in languages that he did not understand, like more other people in the crowd.
He was amazed. He felt so refreshed as he kept on speaking in new tongues.
There are no words to describe the feeling that one experiences when the Spirit of God overflows in him. It’s a divine encounter.
Suddenly, Wayne felt tears fall from his eyes as he thought more about God. At that moment; he felt more complete. He did not feel alone; he felt fulfilled. He could think that, for the first time; he really experienced God’s love.
He did not hear what the pastor said or prayed afterward. He felt a hand on his shoulder and lowered his voice, getting to pray back with his own words. He noticed the pastor.
“Amen. God bless you and keep praying in the spirit.” The pastor said.
Wayne did not respond. He kept praying until when he noticed other people in the crowd, beginning to retire to their seats. He did too and bowed his head, sitting on the bench, concluding his prayers.

“Thank you. Thank you Deborah.” The pastor said and paused till the music subsided and the church became more calm. “Amen. Tell your neighbor; do not be amazed, it is the Spirit of God flowing.” He said and smiled, as the members of the church told each other. “Amen. Today, we have the honor to have the Faith band.” He begun and darted his gaze around the hall. His gaze landed on Kyle. “Kyle Johnson. It is great to see your band glorifying God.”
Kyle laughed, rising.
“Amen. I believe that, you all know Kyle. Their band will be singing today. Right now, actually. I heard their song from the Derby, taking my evening theology class. Truly, it was like hearing a seraph song.”
Kyle laughed, with the rest of the church.
The pastor smiled. “So, welcome Kyle, and the rest your band. I also heard that, Vicky is with you and…” he searched the room for Wayne. “Astrophe! Our mascot leader! This is definitely a seraph song.”
The church broke into a louder laughter.
Wayne himself rose, shaking his head.
The band walked forward to the stage and Wayne went behind the instruments with Fred, getting acquainted with the keyboard while, Vicky made the intro.

“Praise the LORD? This is the Fangs-turned-Faith band. We are going to sing a song called Salvation. We hope that, you’ll like it and it will transform your life.” Vicky said and begun humming.
Shortly, Wayne started the music and she begun to sing.

“There is salvation, in no one else!
Except Jesus Christ who died for us.
For there’s no other name, given among men!
By which we must be saved.”
Kyle and the other boys, joined the refrain with unique voices, causing excitement from the crowd.
Deborah, with her high pitched voice, sang the bridge while, Wayne played the keyboard notes with distinct professionalism. He never felt that happy and useful before.
The spectators rose when Vicky raised her voice, singing the following verse, shutting her eyes and feeling each word.
Some people gathered outside the church after hearing the song that already took fame in the campus over the past week.
Lastly, Kyle, feeling the vibrancy, took the floor with the mic, singing the last verse with his own graceful voice.

Greg had risen from his seat, taking videos as his buddies performed. He turned around with his phone slowly, to capture the spectators.
He paused at the sight of Miley. She was standing with more other girls, outside the door of the church, watching the band.
Their gaze met and the two remained staring at each other for some seconds.
He did not know what to do but, he took the first advice that came to his mind.
“Come over," he whispered to her.
She furrowed her eyebrows in queer.
“Come over” he called, louder this time.
She shook her head, pointing at her skirt. It exposed a large part of her legs.
“Just come. Jesus is calling you.”
“What?” She called back.
“Jesus is calling you!” Gregory called.
She took a minute debating with her herself about entering the church and, when the song stopped and the people were cheering, she dashed inside and sat with him.

“Thank you. Thank you. God bless you.” The pastor said between the cheers.
“Thank you.” Vicky said on behalf of the band.
“Such a blessing. I believe that, God in heaven, is very much happy.” The pastor went on as the band retired to their seats.
Noticing Miley at his place, Wayne followed Vicky to where she sat.
“You should be singing every week.” The pastor suggested and turned to the crowd at the church’s threshold. “Please, welcome. God is calling you and, he has a lot in store for you.” He said and turned back to his congregation. “Now, may I return the floor to the leader of the service? God bless you.”
“Amen.” The church chorused.

                                                                              #

“That was great!” Emeka told Vicky at the end of the service.
The crowd had begun dispersing and many people came to congratulate the band.
Vicky, who stood with Wayne, smiled at Emeka. “Thank you.”
Emeka grinned and glanced at Wayne. “I need to learn some of those skills. I used to play the keyboard in my church back in Lagos but, I wasn't as good.”
Wayne gave him a lopsided smile. “It’s alright. Amh, just memorize the keys. I know that I was good at it when I was a kid. It's amazing how it came back to me recently.”
“It’s God.” Vicky said.
They went on chatting for a while.

Kyle went to meet the pastor. He smiled at Kyle after seeing him and stretched his hand for an arm shake.
Kyle shook it. “Pastor. I want to receive Jesus.”
The pastor raised his eyebrows. He was clearly appalled. But, Kyle's decision was joyful. He nodded saying, “It’s good. That, will be the wisest decision you’ve ever made.”
Kyle nodded too. “I don’t know but, I just found myself thinking that, all I’ve been doing in my life, was not important. Today, though, I am not really part of your flock, God has made me feel important. I thought in myself that, if this is Jesus, then, I want to receive him.”
The pastor agreed. “Amen and Jesus wants to use you in even more exceptional ways and before even more high profile men and women of his. Just shut your eyes.”
Kyle did.
The pastor led him through the prayers of repentance.

In the back benches, Gregory stood with Miley.
“The band was great.” She said, looking around the church.
“Yeah. It’s even more great that, you agreed to come.”
“Are you kidding? I mean, Fangs is singing a Faith song but, it’s so cool.”
He smiled staring at her bluntly.
“Oh.” She sighed, stretching her dress. “It’s my skirt right? Do you think that, you pastor will get angry?”
“Miley. That will come later. You have to know Jesus first.”
“Greg. I don’t know if I want to be like you.”
“But, why? You don’t lose anything. In fact, you gain everything that is important.”
She sighed. “I can’t be a Christian. What about my friends… and family?”
He took her hands. “Miley. Jesus is the best friend more than anyone could ever be. Better yet, I want to be family with you.”
She eyed him for a while wondering whether to accept him or not.
“Miley?” He called her again. “I love you. I never stopped thinking about you since the minute I left your apartment. I want to marry you.”
She sighed. “I guess that, I also realized how much I love you ever since that minute.”
He broke into a smile. “So, let us get married.”
“Greg. I don’t know if I’ll be doing what is right," she said, shaking her head and then added, “marriage has got a lot of things.”
“Yes but, we know and we understand each other; more importantly, God will lead us through everything. Miley, please?”
She drew her hands free. “Please, give me some time to think about it.”
He sighed and nodded. “Alright. Will you keep coming to church?”
“Maybe. I don’t know.”
“Make an effort. It is good for you.”
She smiled and said, “Okay. Good day.”
“Same with you. I will see you in class tomorrow.”
She nodded and they parted.

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