It took a maximum of three months for both the engagement and wedding to take place. I was born into wealth and also married into wealth. Both my parents and mother in-law hired caterers to cook for the event. But I had always wished that the mothers in our church would cook food for me whenever my wedding would take place. With the consent of Greg, I commissioned the mothers to also cook food in the church.

Friday evening, as the mothers were preparing for the cooking I went there to see them. I took with me money and drinks. After appreciating them for all the sacrifices of assisting couples to cook, I handed over the gift to the women president for her to share to women that did the cooking. I left immediately but as they say, ‘old habits hardly die’. The temptation to eavesdrop was strong. Then I heard a voice:

“Such a nice girl. I have always had this feeling that this girl is nice. From the first day she joined this church, I have been seeing the signal.”

A second voice:
“Of course she is good. Imagine that she came to thank us for cooking for her. She is so humble.”

3rd voice:

“She is not only humble but also generous. She gave us gift where as others would accuse us of finishing their food. I even vowed that I would stop coming for this cooking. Thank God that I changed my mind, I would have missed this good luck.

4th voice:
“I don’t know if my line of thought is corresponding with that of someone else. I am convinced that the drama that happened the first day that Judy came to this church was a setup. Look at that girl very well. Does she look like a thief? Why was it that it was at the point that she got to where the offering plate is that the light would be switched off? The worst was that the poor girl was not given chance to defend herself. I fear o. Please nobody should quote me o. I have to say it in other to clear my conscience.”

5th voice:
“My sister you are right. The slap that she received that day was enough to make her confess to a crime she never committed. I have been saying it that we have enemies of progress in this church. That is by the way, Let’s not forget that she said that the gift she brought is for those that are cooking the food. She did not say that we should go and submit it to anybody. May story no enter that money. Na beg I dey beg o ( I don’t want to hear stories concerning that money. I am pleading.”

6th voice

“Thank you sister for the point that you just made. Let us share the money now. Another is that all the people that called her thief should not think of getting the money.

The women president took over.

“Wo—–men! Why are we like this? Why is it that our conscience does not judge us? I have been listening as you all were chattering like birds. Let me ask, who were the people that dealt with Judy? Was it not us? She left in tears the day she came to join us to cook. Whenever, I remember the role I played on that day, I feel so guilty. Though, my intention was never to humiliate her but that was what my action later turned to. I had always asked myself ‘If Judy is my biological daughter, would I have done what I did that day’ Another is that, if her mother was one of us, and was present on that day, we would have been cautioned. We all threw caution to the air and humiliated her. The only person that defended her on that day was Mrs. Jackson. What we should be doing is to ask God for forgiveness for the roles we played. This girl lived in tears because of our attitude towards her. We have seen money now and we start talking from both sides of our mouth. May God have mercy on us.”

I made an attempt to go but my feet could not carry me. Tears of joy kept flowing from my eyes as I sang this song in Igbo language.

Adighi kwam kam di na mbu
Amaram na adighim kam di na mbu 2x
Kemgbe okpara Chineke batara ndu moooo
Adighi kwam kam di na mbu.
Translation
Never the same again
I know that I am not the same again 2x
Since the son of the living God, came into my life
I’ve not been… the same again.

The wedding ceremony was successful and we settled down to married life. Greg proved to be 1 billion yards of husband material. All thanks to the most high God. My ministry kept on flourishing. I have been to all the states in the country and about 9 countries outside Nigeria, preaching the gospel and giving testimony of what God did in my life. Souls were added to the kingdom of God. The captives were set free and the sick were healed. It’s been 12 years and we are still counting.

A lot have happened in my life; a caring husband, wonderful children and the ministry is growing in limps and bounds. An experience I thought would choke life out of me had turned around to become my selling point. It made me a celebrity and opened the door for me to visit the highest seat of power in Nigeria (Aso Rock) and other state houses. Most importantly, it made me to know Christ and placed me on express way to heaven. Another is that it has given hope to millions of people.

I did not give up on my quest to be a lawyer. I gained admission in the university to study law. It was not easy combining marriage, ministry and academics but the grace of God was sufficient. Though I had no intention of practicing law, I did that to fulfill the wish of my parents.

After my graduation, I proceed to law school. The smiles of satisfaction on my parents face on the day I was called to bar made me fulfilled.

“I had already given up hope on being addressed as ‘iya lawyer’ Thank you for making it happen.” My mother hugged me, shedding tears of joy even as my father addressed me as Barrister Judy, my dear daughter; with an air of pride.

I never knew that my husband had organized a reception party for me until He drove me to the venue already filled to the brim by family members, friends and well-wishers.

“I told you that it shall be well,” Ken whispered to my ears.

I looked at my angel in human form, an example of what a sibling ought to be, and flashed him a smile even as tears of gratitude filled my eyes.

“You are on point brother, it is already well with Judy.”

Of course I needed no one to tell me that my dignity had been fully restored by God.

********
Mrs Don later discovered that it was Judy nthat paid her hospital bill. She wrote a letter to apologize for all she did against her and to appreciate her for the kind gesture.

Letter from Mrs. Don to Judy.

My dear daughter Judy,
I am writing to appreciate you for paying my hospital bill. Though, you didn’t want me to know, I insisted that they must reveal the identity of the Good Samaritan to me. I was shocked to discover that it was you. You were the last person I ever expected to show me such favour. But you did. May God bless you.

The kindness you showed me is rare. It is not easy for a normal human being to do what you did, except by the influence of a higher authority. I know you must have done this in obedience to the God that you serve. From the moment I discovered this deed of yours, I decided to join a living church. I made inquiry and discovered the church that you attend. I have already become a member of the nearest branch to my house.

The last time I that came to your house, you attempted to tell me about Christ but I didn’t listen to you. I was still engrossed in my evil ways. I wish I took heed to your advice that day; Lucia wouldn’t have died.

All the same, it is better late than never. I have surrendered my life to Christ. This God who turned you to an Angel will be my God. I have dedicated my life to his service forever. I am assuring you that wherever I talk about Christ, this good deed of yours will surely be heard.

I am very sorry for all the evil I committed against you and your mother. The truth is that I have really paid for my sins. Even till today, I am still paying. I want this letter to get to you before I will come physically to tell you how sorry I am for what I did. May God bless and keep you till we meet again.

Mrs. Don.

Watch out for Judy’s encounters during counselling sections. That’s the last episode.