Click to read previous episodes
Temi’s mum screamed in agony as the torment persisted. Her daughter wanted to run away but fear glued her to Mary’s side, who was trying to muster courage. But Francis stood, giving the old priest an unimpressed look.
The old man stroked his scraggly white beards while locking eyes with Francis. He searched for the doubt in the eyes of the young man but found none. He tightened his grip on his rattling staff.
“This is just the beginning of what will befall you all.” Baba Osa declared confidently. He then turned to face the wailing woman.
“As for you, woman. You knew better than to bring this kind of people here. Your death has come. Prepare to leave this earth!” He proclaimed while hitting his staff violently on the ground, causing it to rattle.
“You have no authority to make such statements,” said Francis. The old man looked at him fiercely, suprised at his utterance.
“Ma so oro ti ikun gbo ti eti e fi di si e!(what the Bush animal heard and became deaf, I will say it to you!)I will kill you if you speak another word!” Baba Ose howled.
Temi was about to urinate on herself. She wanted to run and hold Francis’s mouth. She was already having mild fever because of fear. She didn’t sign up for this kind of death.
Mary moved towards Temi’s mum and laid hands on her.
The old man let out a scornful laugh, almost discouraging Mary from praying but she continued.
Then, She heard the voice of the Holy spirit clearly,
Get up and command the enchantment to stop. I gave you authority, use it.
Mary got up immediately and decreed,”In the name of Jesus, this enchantment ceases!”
Temi’s mum stopped screaming. The torment had ceased immediately the words left Mary’s mouth.
Baba Osa watched in shock as they helped the elderly woman up. He couldn’t believe his eyes.
Baba Osa watched in shock as they helped the elderly woman up. He couldn’t believe his eyes.
“We have come to inform you that your dealings with this family have come to an end. It is isn’t a request and it is not negotiable,” Francis said.
The old man spat on the floor and shouted curses at them, shaking in anger.
“I am the law keeper of this land! The untouchable! The most powerful man in these parts! I will show you why I am the tiger that has never lost a battle! ”
Baba Osa picked a small pouch from the mat and poured a white powdery substance into his palm while reciting some incantations. He lifted his hand and screamed the name of various gods, then proceeded towards Francis.
Temi pulled Mary and her mother backwards in fear, but Francis stood still.
Baba Osa blew the substance on him and began to laugh triumphantly. His laugh soon turned into shock as Francis stood smiling, unaffected by the substance.
“It is written, ‘surely there is no enchantment with or against Jacob, neither is there any divination with or against Israel. In due season and even, now it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What has God wrought!’ You have no idea the sacrifice that bought me,” Francis said laughing.
The priest looked at Francis with his mouth wide open.
“We are of a higher priesthood, and this minute we pass judgment upon the spirits enacting your will on this family. She is free. Temi has no affiliations with you anymore. We advice that you accept peacefully and leave the case.”
The old man’s wives looked at each other in confusion. They had never seen anyone confront Baba Osa in such a confident manner and live to tell the tale. They’re murmurs diverted the priest’s gaze to them and in split seconds, they had disappeared into the house in fear.
“I have never lost a battle! I have legal claims over them! They can’t go free because there is a covenant that was made. There was an oath that was sworn!” Baba Osa screamed while slamming his chest repeatedly.
“Your legal rights ended at the cross. For what business has light with darkness? She is already free from this evil agreement. Christ has redeemed her. She has been bought with a price,” said Mary finally summoning courage.
“Baba Osa, you can also be saved like them. You can be good. You can be forgiven. We can show you…”
“Over my dead body!” Baba Osa spat. He picked up sand from the ground and let it slip through his fingers as he continued speaking.
“As long as I live, I will make sure they continue to suffer! I will die before I serve whatever you call your God!”
Baba Osa slowly made his way to his house while singing incantations and hitting his staff with each step.
Temi finally started breathing normally. She collapsed on her mother’s shoulder and started crying. Her mother’s eyes were still fixed on Francis. She had never seen anything like this.
“Let’s get out of here.” Francis said motioning to the way out.
Temi grabbed Mary’s hands while alternating her gaze between her and Francis.
“Teach me how to pray,” she said softly.
“Let’s go back home Temi, we’ll teach you when we get home. There’s a whole lot you have to learn but it’s a gradual process.” Mary said, holding her hands.
All through their journey back home, Temi’s mother expressed her fear.
“These people have killed us o! Who sent you people to challenge Baba nau? See nau you have incurred Baba’s wrath! What if we all turn to yam tomorrow?”
“Mummy, it’s okay we will be fine,” Said Temi.
“If I forget my palm on your face you will keep quiet! Can’t you see that we are about to die? We might even have accident on this road!”
Francis fought hard not to laugh at her lamentations.
“Mama, we will be fine. Don’t worry, Baba Osa is a small case. Don’t bother about him,” Mary said trying to encourage the elderly woman.
“Ah! “Omo keke o mo ogun, on pe lefo! How did I get here?”
Francis felt a nudge from the Spirit to speak and he finally opened his mouth.
“Mama, after what you have seen, why do you still fear? Let me tell you something about this Jesus…”
Francis began patiently explaining the gospel to her. He explained the reason behind the death of Jesus and what it means to believers. He explained Temi’s new status in Christ.
He brought it down to her level, explaining the Love of God through Jesus. By the end of their journey, Temi’s mum had surrendered her life to Christ and received the gift of salvation.
The days that followed were days of intense bible study, prayer and fasting. It wasn’t long before Francis got them baptized with the Holy spirit and praying in tongues. Mary and Francis took Temi and her mum on series of teachings on God’s Word, His love displayed through Jesus and their new identity in Christ.
The new converts were eager to learn, filled with joy and peace from their new found life. There was a church at the outskirts of the town which Mary took Temi’s mum to.
Few days later, the news of Baba Osa’s death greeted their doorstep. The old man had fallen ill immediately after the confrontation. Rumors had it that he had repeatedly tried to invoke curses against Temi’s family and every time he tried, he failed and his sickness became worse. The old man did not relent until he finally gave up the ghost.
The news of Baba’s death spread like wild fire. Baba Osa’s wives spread the word about the confrontation and the people marvelled at the strange visitors that had come into their locality and changed the climate within a short period
People began coming to the house to see for themselves. Francis ensured that he gave all glory to God. He and the family seized the opportunity to spread the gospel and soon even Baba Osa’s wives were converted.
Mary and Francis continually gave thanks to God for the wonders He wrought but even more for the salvation of the souls in Temi’s family.
Mary and Francis continually gave thanks to God for the wonders He wrought but even more for the salvation of the souls in Temi’s family.
After few weeks, they decided it was time to go back home. The appointed day came and enough goodbye couldn’t have been said. It had been the longest two weeks of their lives.
Temi’s mum watched by the door as Temi and Mary packed their bags, ready to leave. She was going to miss them. She walked up to Mary and placed her hand on her shoulder.
“Thank you Mary, for introducing me to Jesus, and for delivering us from the bondage we had been under. I’ll diligently attend the church and develop my fellowship with God.”
“All Glory to Jesus! He is the doer of all these things. My heart is full of joy and gladness. We love you very much and even as we return, we’ll always pray for you.”
Francis prayed with family and together with Mary and Temi, set out back to the city of Zaria.
11 years later…
11 years later…
“Mummy! Daddy has been waiting for you in the car for the past twenty minutes, please let’s go.” whined Zoe a beautiful girl of 3. She wore a pretty Cinderella dress and an obvious long face.
“I know that. Tell daddy that I’ll be down in a minute. I have to change your brother’s diapers.” Temi said as she replaced her baby’s soiled diapers.
It was a Sunday morning and her husband, Pastor Daniel, had been waiting for her in the car for them to go to church.
Pastor Daniel was a young Pastor at Jesus’ Delight ministries. Temi had met him during her final year in the university when she and Mary went to the church for a youth’s program. Pastor Daniel had not let Temi be since that evening and 2 years later, they got married.
They had two beautiful kids; Zoe, an intelligent three year old girl and Gideon, a toddler.
Temi had finished changing her baby’s diaper and she tickled him softly. Her baby’s laughter caused her to smile as she admired her treasure.
Temi had finished changing her baby’s diaper and she tickled him softly. Her baby’s laughter caused her to smile as she admired her treasure.
“Can we go now?” Zoe asked, sounding ten times her age.
“Yes madam” Temi replied and together, they made their way to the car.
Temi walked out to meet a slightly impatient pastor checking his wristwatch by driver’s seat outside the car. His eyes soon caught them and he stood transfixed as his wife put the two kids in the car.
“Wow… You look stunning babe,” he said as he let his eyes take in every detail of her body.
She smiled at the compliment and modelled her way towards him, giving him a personal runway experience.
Daniel put his hands on his head jokingly and spoke in tongues.
Temi burst into laughter and collapsed into his loving arms.
“Oya be spiritual, we are going to church,” she said giggling.
“Babe, this is as spiritual as it gets,” he replied.
Suddenly, the sound of the horn blared. Zoe had made her way to the driver’s seat and pressed it. The parents burst into laughter. Temi attacked the little girl’s tummy with tickles and carried her to the back seat.
The little girl smiled at her parents and her baby brother.
They drove to church, singing along to Hillsong’s ‘His Glory Appears’ playing in the car.
You gave me hope, You made me whole at the cross
You took my place, You showed me grace at the cross where You died for me …
*THE END*
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined.”
– Isaiah 9:2
As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
Colossians 2:6, 9-15 KJV
