The healing process was quick. afterwards, Dera paid a short visit to her parents.

They were so happy to see her and inquired about her job.

In the night, her mother invited her for a private discussion.

“Dera my daughter. I am happy to see you. I am happy that you decided to quit that job. My spirit did not accept it at all.”

“Yes mummy, I have no choice than to quit the job. Because the way you were disturbing me, saying that you were not comfortable with the job. And even saying that you wanted to visit me. “

“Of Course my daughter, I have no choice. I was not comfortable with the job. I kept having strange revelations concerning the so-called job. At a point, I even dreamt that you were pregnant,”her mother informed her.

Dera started laughing,” Mummy you make me laugh.  Did you say pregnancy? So that was why you were insisting on visiting me. You wanted to check if I was pregnant?” Dera asked.

“No, my daughter. I just wanted to check if you were safe. Sometimes, dreams might be a revelation of what is about to happen.”

“No problem mummy. Thank God that I have stopped the work.I was working for foreigners. You know that they don’t tolerate nonsense. Before we resumed the work, we signed an undertaking that there will be no traveling  or entertaining visitors till after one year.”

“Ha! But that is wickedness,”her mother exclaimed.

“That is it. But when I considered the money involved. I decided to give it a try. Especially that they promised that anyone that was able to keep to that will be rewarded. Do you know that one of our colleagues whose father visited was sacked?”

“What?”

“Yes ma. That was why I didn’t allow you to visit. The work was stressful. Thank God that it is over.”

“But you added weight. How can you say that the work is stressful,”her mother asked.

“Mummy, it is food. They make sure that we feed well,”Dera responded.

“But my daughter? Are you sure that you did not soil your garment? I saw you inside the mud. You were in an unclean environment.”

“Mummy, it’s your thought. What you were seeing was because of the fear in your mind. Your Dera cannot soil her garment,” Dera said firmly.

“It’s okay my daughter. I am happy that you were able to keep yourself. I always thank God for your life. Some of your fellow students walk around naked. But you dress in a way that glorifies God . I am so happy and proud of you.”

“Mummy whatever I am today is the handwork of you and daddy. You trained me in the way of the Lord. A lion cannot give birth to a goat.”

“God bless you my daughter. Continue to set good examples for others to follow.”

“Amen! Mummy,I want to inform you that my labour in that company was not in vain. I have saved enough money to establish my business.”

“Do you see why I am proud of you? Other girls would have used the money to buy clothes, shoes and bone straight hair, forgetting their future,” Dera mum said in excitement.

“No ma, I can never do that. You always tell us that business comes first before pleasure. By the time I achieve my aim, other things will follow.”

“Kneel down my daughter, let me bless.You are the true child of your mother. “

After visiting her parents, Dera went to school to get things set for her National Youth Service.  She was able to join the next barge of Corp members.

While she was still serving she established her business, employed workers and  only played supervisory roles when she came back from her place of primary Assignment (PPA).   Money was not a problem, she pumped in enough money into the business and it was flourishing.

She made up her mind to do all it would take her to erase her past life so that a trace of it would never be found . One of the steps she took was to start attending a church.

A church very close to her house was her choice. She got dressed on a Sunday morning and went there. At the end of service, the pastor in charge invited all newcomers to go to the altar for prayers. Afterwards, she told them to introduce themselves.

“Praise the Lord!”

“The Lord be praised,” the congregation echoed.

“I’m happy to be in your midst. My name is Dera. I am a child of God. A song minister that  loves the things of God. I am 23 years old and also the CEO of Dera boutique,” the congregation clapped after the introduction.

Other newcomers also introduced themselves. Before going back to their seats.

Immediately after the church service, the choir director went to meet Dera.

“Hello sister Dera, you are welcome to our church.”

“Thank you sir,” Dera responded with smiles even as she kept admiring the handsome young man that greeted her.

“My name is Okey, I am the church choir  director,” Okey informed her

“Wow! I am pleased to meet you sir,” Dera told him.

“While you were introducing yourself, you said that you are a song minister.”

“Yes sir. I sing.”

“That’s nice, I will be so happy if you can join the choir. We meet on Saturdays”

“It’s my pleasure sir. I will surely love to join. I have a passion for the work of God. If it is for God, just count me in,” Dera informed her 

“That’s lovely. Please can I have your phone number?”

“Yes sir” Dera called out her phone numbers to Okey and they parted. 

As she was about to step out of the church, another young man named Julius met her.

“Hello sister, how are you doing?”

“I’m fine sir.”

“I am Julius, what is your name?”

“My name is Dera.”

“You are right, that was the name you mentioned while introducing yourself. Thanks for joining our church. I hope you have come to stay?”

“Definitely. This is my church from now onwards.”

“I am glad for that decision. I am in the protocol department. I hope you don’t mind joining the  department,”

“I would have loved to, but I have already joined the choir . I don’t know if I will be allowed to join the two departments”

“I don’t think you will be able to work with the 2 departments . But I must commend your commitment to  the things of God.  This is your first time being here and you have already joined the choir.”

“If it is for God, count me in . I love working for God. His work comes first before my personal work,” Dera informed him.

“I am so happy to hear this. I would like us to be friends so that we can encourage  ourselves in the work of God.” Julius proposed.

“There is no problem about that . I love people that love God. My parents love God’s work and they trained us in the way of the Lord.”

Julius was so happy to meet Dera. She felt that a beautiful lady like her, who loves God should be considered for a wife.