The next day was on Sunday. Immediately after church service I ran to Pastor’s office. Infact I didn’t sleep well in the night because of thought of how best to deal with whoever was responsible for my trauma. Pastor smiled when he saw me.

“Sister Judy, how are you?” he reached out to me.

“I’m fine good afternoon sir,” I greeted with smiles. I was sincerely happy.

“I am happy to see you and the way you are smiling. The smiles shall be permanent in Jesus name,”

“Amen!” I responded joyfully.

Afterwards, pastor was silent as if he didn’t know why I came. I had to quickly remind him.

“Daddy, you told me to come today so that you can tell me who was responsible for all the troubles I passed through.”

Pastor smiled.

“I know that is why you are here. But I will not give you that Information now. You are still a baby christian, you will misuse it. You might go to fight or quarell with the person and forget that it is a spiritual war. I will surely tell you but it will be at the right time, when you are spiritually matured. But I must warn you to be careful. Live a holy life. Be prayerful. The person that is responsible for your affliction will not easily want to let you go. But if you remain strong in Christ, you will always be victorious.”

“Daddy please, accusing fingers were pointed at my father. I really want to know if he has a hand in this?”

“No your father is innocent.”

I was so happy to hear that my father was not the one responsible for my misfortune. I appreciated pastor and left.

The girls in the church always meet every Sunday after church service to hold a meeting. I’ve been observing them since I joined the church and was impressed by their activities. At a point, I could not resist the urge to join them but I didn’t know how to go about it.

Each Sunday, I would sit at the corner and watch as they hold their meeting, which enabled me to discover certain things. One of the girls named Patricia was always standing to address them during the meeting sessions. I concluded that she must be their leader.

On a particular Sunday as they were about to start the meeting, I approached Patricia.

“Excuse me Sister Pat” She stopped on her tracks when she heard me mentioned her name. That enabled me to catch up with her and other 3 girls with her.

“I want to inform you that I am interested in joining your group.”

When I said that, she looked at other girls and they started laughing. I felt embarrassed by their laughter but the desire to join the group was strong. So, I patiently waited for her response.

“No problem. You are free to ……” One of the girls, who I later discovered was the vice president, did not allow her to complete the statement before dragging her out; possibly to talk to her. Pat looked back and signaled me that I should wait for her. When she came back, she told me that I should meet her the next Sunday for further discussion.

“But I really wanted to be part of today’s meeting ,” I pleaded.

She told me to excuse her while she went to discuss with her vice. Two of them came back to meet me.

“Hello, My name is Gift. I am the vice president of this great organization.”

“I am pleased to meet you , Gift. My name is Judy.”

“I heard you want to join us?” She asked while sizing me up.

“Yes,” I answerd in excitement, ignoring the way she was looking at me.

“Anyway, you can sit over there and watch us today. We will look into your matter,” she said, pointing at a chair that is very far from where others were sitting.

“But if I’m there, I won’t hear what is happening in the meeting,” I told her. She hissed and walked away. The president told me to obey and stay there while promising that I would soon join them.

I had no choice than to obey. As the meeting was going on, I was straining my ears to hear what was going on. At a point, I had to stand so as to hear.

They were discussing about bringing someone that would teach them how to make cake and how to get money that they would pay the person. I felt that I could be of a help. Apart from being a medical doctor, my mother bakes too. So I learnt from her. As the discussion was going on, I raised my hand to talk but Gift who was anchoring the meeting ignored me.

One of the members noticed that I was raising my hand and came to know what I wanted to say.

“Hello, my name is Joy. You have been raising you r hand.”

“Yes. I wanted to tell them that I can teach how to make cake. There is no need to be discussing of how to get money to pay who will teach it,”I informed her.

She ran out in excitement and told the president what I said.

The president quickly called me to tell the house what I’m offering them.

“Good afternoon sisters. I humbly plead to be given the opportunity to teach cake making. There is no need to bring an outsider and pay money for it.”

They started jubilating but Gift interrupted them.

“It is not all about teaching how to make cake. It is still about the lifestyle of the person. We know your area of specialization. Unfortunately, you cannot teach us that because this is church. Please, go and sit. ” She commanded me.

Majority of the girls busted out in laughter. I didn’t know what to do. Tears filled my eyes as I dragged myself out of the stage to sit.

“Gift, this is not acceptable at all . Why would you talk to her in that manner?” Joy confronted her in anger.

“Joy be warned. I am the vice president of this organization. If you dare speak again, I will suspend you.” Gift threatened.

Joy quietly sat and they continued with the meeting.

The next Sunday, I approached Pat and she offered me a seat. Then she invited her fellow exco members to join us. Afterwards, the vice president, Gift, told me that I had to fill a new membership form which I gladly accepted. She brought out a form and handed over to me with the instruction that I should fill it and return to them.

SISTERS FORUM MEMBERSHIP FORM

1.NAME………………………………………………………

2. DATE OF BIRTH…………….…AGE………….…

3.STATE OF ORIGIN ..……………………………

4. ARE YOU BORN AGAIN YES/NO

5.ARE YOU FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT YES/NO

6.DO YOU FIGHT? YES/NO

7. DO YOU GOSSIP? YES/NO

8. DO YOU TELL LIES? YES/NO

9. DO YOU STEAL? YES/NO

10. HAVE YOU EVER STOLEN? YES/NO

11. IF YES, WHAT ITEMS DID YOU STEAL …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… …..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………..

12. ARE YOU WILLING TO TAKE RESPOSIBILITY IF ANY ITEM SHOULD LOST IN THE FORUM? YES/NO

13. IF YES THEN SIGN HERE……………………………………

I PROMISE TO ABIDE BY THE RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE SISTERS FORUM

SIGNATURE/DATE……………………………….

As I perused the form, I could sense a set up and foul play. The way stealing was emphasized in the form clearly showed that the form was prepared specially for me.

Though, I really wished to join the group, I felt I should not allow myself to be implicated. And why on earth should they ask me to take responsibility of every theft that will occur in the sisters’ forum; as if I was the only thief in the world. I felt it was too much of a risk to take which made me to raise an alarm.

“Sis Pat please, don’t be offended. Does every intending member fill this particular form you gave to me? It seems this was generated specially for me? Forgive me if I’m wrong. I just need clarification.”

Pat was reluctant to answer me but Gift flayed up in anger.

“Judy what are you insinuating? Is that supposed to be an indictment or what? I know that you a trouble maker but let me warn you; Sisters Forum does not accommodate people of questionable character. If you know that you want to join us, take the form home, fill it and sign at the appropriate places. In addition to that, get a guarantor who will vouch for your character; that person must assure us that our personal effects like phones money and even God’s money are safe. It is a pity that no church member will agree to guarantee you.”

I fought hard to restrain the tears threatening to fall. I didn’t expect the girls see me as a saint but the level of Gift’s resentment was uncalled for. All the same, I had already heaved a sigh of relief that she was done until she added salt to the injury.

“Anyway, your parents can guarantee you; that is if they are still alive,” she concluded.

A sudden fury rose within me.

“How dare you mention the name of my parents.” I jumped to my feet and held her throat.

Watch out for the next episode.