My Fathers Child

Photo Credit- Unsplash

I was going to a certain village and there wasn’t any car heading that way. Everyone sought other options, ‘okada (bike). How can I take okada for a trip that is about two hours by car?

As I waited, hoping to get a bus or taxi or even a truck, as the case may be, as I reasoned it would be a better option than an okada, I heard stories.

Stories of how that particular route is bad. Armed robbery, Kidnappings, accidents, all take place on that road.

 People who pass that route ensure they do it early enough as anything later would be risky. It's not as if there is another option. You have to pass that route if you are heading that way. The only other option would be travelling to another state, which is like three to five hours away and then coming from that direction. That would be going around in a circle to get there. 

Time! Resources!

I was not aware of the other option as I was coming from another place entirely besides, it was already too late to consider that option, checked my watch, past four pm.

I was advised to spend the night and leave early in the morning, but I could not imagine it. Spend about fifteen hours at the park? I did not know anyone in that town and seeing as it was still bright and I could be at my destination in two hours, I insisted on waiting for favourable transport, but when there was no car heading that way, they again suggested I take a bike. Against all my better judgement, biking was suddenly my only option, so an okada man was called, we bargained, then a price was agreed and we took off.

The road was rough and rough and rough. Potholes, ditches, name it. Not a single security post was in sight. We made good progress and were counting down to reaching my destination.

 My hosts even called and were glad I was almost there. “You should be with us in thirty minutes,” they said. I could not wait. I was already tired of sitting on the bike. My ‘bumbum' felt flat and hard like wood. My legs ached from the gallops and ditches we tried to avoid.

 We had just passed one particular place when suddenly we heard voices. Turning around, I saw men dressed in military protective gears coming out of the bushes with guns.

"Finally," I thought to myself. How can this long road not have security, despite ‘all’ the insecurities? 

We had not gone far from them, we were still within earshot when one of them shouted. ”hey, your phone dropped,” I tried to check for my phone as it was not long after I had spoken with my hosts that this happened. So I asked the okada man to “please wait, let me check if it is my phone.” He did not stop immediately. He still rode a bit further before he finally stopped. I was not happy with him and I told him so.

As I came down to go check the phone, a truck came from our back at top speed and drove over it, smashing it. I was still contemplating on whether it was mine or not as I was still searching my bag for mine when suddenly the okada guy jumped over me, causing me to fall flat on my back. 

 “Are you okay?” I asked him. 

 “Why would you jump like that? Get off me and let us get out of here.”

Then this guy’s countenance changed.

 “I’m sorry. We can’t leave this place till I have finished the work I was sent to do.” 

Huh!

 “Work?” I wondered and asked him. Then he brings out a knife, says, “the sacrifice,” and makes to cup his hands over my mouth so I don’t shout, bringing the knife towards my chest. It seemed like he wanted to stab me or something, but before he did I asked him, 

 “You want to kill me?”

 “I have no choice. You have to be the one. I have to sacrifice you.”

I looked in the direction we had come from, at the people I thought were security personnel but they were not even looking our way. They were not aware of what was happening, but somehow, I was not afraid.

I calmly said to him, 

“But you cannot kill me.” He ignored me and made for my heart again, then I continued talking to him, 

“I am the seed of Abraham. Eternal life is in my spirit.” By now his hands were shaking so much, he could not cover my mouth again, “My life cannot be cut short. I can’t die yet, not like this.”

This guy begins to shake uncontrollably and suddenly falls away from me. 

Then my eyes opened. I had been dreaming. 

It was so real. As I type, I can still feel the intensity of the encounter.

I reminded myself, my confessions in that dream are true. The same applies in real life. It is the truth, I AMTHE SEED OF ABRAHAM AND ETERNAL LIFE RESIDES IN ME. God’s life. NO ONE can cut my life short.

 AMEN!