Pastor Mrs Johnson's surgery was successful. She was recovering smoothly.
Reverend Johnson saw the need to inform his workers and church elders about BENITA'S PREGNANCY. Therefore, he called a meeting.
All the workers and leaders of his church are gathered. After a short prayer, Rev started.
- good evening brethren. First I must say thank you to you all for responding to this call. This has been a very critical time for me. As you all know, my dear wife just had a major surgery. She is getting better by his grace. Thanks to you all for your supports, prayers, visitation and care. You have been such a wonderful family. I'm so proud to have you all.
They all clapped.
- thank you. (Takes a deep breath) I know you would all be wondering what could be the reason for this meeting. We all knew when robbers invaded my house. What I did not tell you was my daughter Benita was.........raped.
(Jesus!!!, blood of Jesus,!!!! oh my God,!!!!! what,!!!!! and so many other exclamation filled the air. Some broke into tears)
Rev continued.
- though my daughter warned that I informed you all about the rape when she was in the hospital, I felt shame. I couldn't stand before you all to say my daughter was raped. I never knew a bigger shame was on the way.
One of the elders, elder Ben asked.
- daddy, what bigger shame are you talking about. You are scaring me.
- hmmmm, brethren, (tears) its with a heavy heart I bring this information. MY BENITA IS PREGNANT.
The whole hall was filled with tears. Oh God why!!!, Jesus nooooo, people were crying. For one hour, there was deep sorrowing. Elder uzo decide to break the silence.
- chai!!!!( shook his head) this is too heavy for me. I don't know about any other person. Daddy, we are very sorry. This is not your fault or Benita's. It can happen to anybody. Please do not allow it weigh you down. Your spiritual alertness should not be tempered with please. Now the question is, what do we do?
Elder Mrs ijeoma stood up.
- praise God. Hmmmmm, this is the saddest news I have heard this year. It is indeed painful. Everyone here knows Benita. Everyday, I pray for her kind of grace and anointing. (Crying) I never wished or thought of this for her. Benita will not keep that child. It has to be flushed. God has to understand. That's my point.
Everyone in the meeting supported the woman. Except elder ben.
- I beg to differ ma. Sin is sin. There is no excuse that justifies sin before God. Flushing that foetus is abortion. Abortion is second class murder Benita has always preached against. In fact, I can say in strong confidence that the Benita I know will not agree to abortion. It is painful but she has to keep it.
Elder Marcus stood up.
-Ben, you are very wicked. Do you know what we stand to loose? Respect? Honour, fame, that righteousness has brought us. Our daddy will be on the news headline of blackmail. A lot of souls will be lost. I am not ready to be part of any shame o. Benita must get rid of that pregnancy.
Commotion everywhere. .
Some were already threatening to leave should Benita keep the baby.
Only few supported elder Ben.
Some walked out of the meeting angrily.
At home, rev called Benita and Richard.
- my children, I never for saw this kind of temptation. It is too heavy. I'm at the verge of loosing everything. I had to call the elders and Inform them about Benita's pregnancy. It did not go down well. Benita, you can't keep that baby.
- dad, Richard called. I said it from the unset . now see. We could have done this without informing them and nobody will know but your over holy daughter in her selfishness decides to make us a laughing stock.
- I am surprised at you dad replied Benita. What has gone wrong with integrity you once upheld? The standards you set up. Dad how can you allow them play with your spiritual intellect. This is the devil dad. Do not give in.
- Benita I am loosing my people. My church is at the verge of ruining. I am about loosing my toil of 25 years in ministry. Benny please. (Crying)
- let them go. He who stands with multitude of men without God is standing alone. Not even your tears will change my mind. I am keeping the baby.
- Then you need to get yourself a new home. Rev replied.
- WHAT!!!
- LEAVE MY HOUSE.
To be continued
[7/21, 9:33 PM] Jessica Ich: WANTED 15
Benita could not believe her eyes when she approached the gate to her father's house. Pastor Mrs ifunanya kelvin. Her fellowship leader in school and her mentor. She stood with danladi.
- mama, Benita shouted , running towards her.
- sister Benny. Wow, thank God I found you. Your gate- keeper was just telling me about you. What happened?
- MAMA, its not something I can discuss while standing. I'm very tired and my head aches badly.
- OK, can we go inside?
Danladi replied.
- Arrrgh nooo. Big Oga go purse me commot. Small oga go kill me o. Dey say ah no go allow small madam inside o.
- why? Asked pastor ifunanya. Why would Reverend give such instruction?
- Mama, please, let's go. Where are you lodged? We will talk when we get there please.
- No, she replied angrily. I need to see daddy. This is totally inhuman. Much less from a renowned minister of God like him.
Reverend drove in immediately.
- (he stepped out of his car) danladi, what's going on in front of my gate? I pay you to guard my house. Please let me know when you're tired. What's the meaning of this? I do not want to see nuisances in front of my gate.
Benita started crying. Pastor Mrs ifunanya faced him.
- daddy good afternoon sir.
- God bless you. He replied.
- sir, you seem not to remember me anymore. I'm ifunanya, Benita's fellowship leader in school.
- oh, really, wow, so much change. Please pardon my manners just now. How do you do?
- how do you do sir. How is mummy? And the ministry?
- very fine. I bless the Lord for his mercies.
- daddy, with due respect sir, what has Benita done?
- emm, hold it. At this point I won't be entertaining anymore questions. But if you must know, my own daughter had collided with Satan to pull down my church and to such, I can't relate with. She has to leave my house and continue with the devil. Have a nice day.
He stepped into the car and drove into the
compound asking danladi to shut the gate.
Pastor Mrs ifunanya watched in amazement.
- Jesus Christ of Nazareth. I can't believe my eyes. Satan you are a liar.
Benita was just in tears.
-Benny, shola called cuddling her. You are the strongest woman I have ever seen. You have fought a good fight, you have kept your faith, there is abundant grace to finish this course.
- sweetheart, pastor ifunanya called. I am here. I will never leave you nor forsake you . Thus says the Lord, be strong, I am with you, It is the set time to mount to glory.
- thank you Jesus. Benita said crying.
- let's go to my lodge. We are leaving with the first flight to abuja.
- Benny, shola called crying. I will miss you. Please keep me posted. I will try and come and visit.
AT THE HOTEL, Benita told her leader everything. Pastor Mrs ifunanya could not hold back her tears.
- in my 15yrs of serving the Lord, I don't think I have this kind of faith. You are a heroine. You are about opening a new chapter. You are about entering a new phase. God shall reward your faithfulness and zina will be put to shame
-Amen ma.
IN ABUJA.............
Benita went into ministry. The potter's glory christen centre knew some one extraordinary came. She turned the youths around.
Power was made manifest when the choir ministers.
Benita's body started changing. Her pregnancy was beginning to be obvious and people were beginning to ask questions.
One morning, pastor Mrs ifunanya and her husband called Benita.
Pastor Mrs ifunanya started.
- Benny dear , how are you feeling this morning?
- I'm fine ma. (Smiling)
-OK, that's good. Emmm, we called you because people are beginning to ask how come about your pregnancy.
- pastor kelvin continued, yes Benny. This is what we plan to tell them and we want you to do the same.
We will tell them you are married but your husband died. You only realised you're pregnant after his burial..
Benita was just looking at the man and woman of God, shocked and surprised.
- mummy, daddy. I'm not sorry to say that I WON'T DO IT. one Sunday, I shall use my story as my message..
- you mean you will tell them.......
- THE TRUTH yes. No matter what, I am not ready to compromise my faith. I will say the truth and nothing but the truth. That's by the way. Mummy, daddy, the Lord is leading me to hospitals. Any hospital around here?
- yes pastor kelvin answered. Mummy will take you there. Hmmm, Benita, I am amazed at your faith and your uncompromising stand. Keep it up.
To be continued.
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