THE FOREVER KIND OF LOVE – a novel (29)
by : Pastor Taiwo Iredele Odubiyi
Cont’d
Afterward, the General Overseer continued with the ceremony. He asked for the twins to be given to him, one in each of his arms. With one of the ministers holding the microphone close to his mouth, the G.O. named the children, and prayed for them.
When he finished, the twins were taken from him. He then anointed and prayed for Femi, Ibie, their children, parents, and Femi’s grandmother.
After this, offerings were taken for the babies, and then it was time for Ibie to speak.
The moment she stood, people began to clap. She was smiling. When they stopped, she raised a song and immediately, the choristers rose to their feet and joined in.
Faithful, faithful, faithful is our God,
Faithful, faithful, faithful is our God,
Faithful, faithful, faithful is our God,
Faithful, faithful, faithful is our God,
I’m reaping the harvest God promised me,
Take back what the devil stole from me,
And I rejoice today, for I shall recover it all,
Yes, I rejoice today, for I shall recover it all.
When they finished singing it, the choristers sat.
Ibie shouted, “Prai-ai-ai-ai-se the Lord!”
“Halleluya!” People responded.
“I am grateful to God for all He has done for me. He’s been awesome in my life and family. Most of you already know my story.”
People were smiling as they focused on her.
“I am giving this testimony to glorify God, and to encourage anyone out there who’s been thinking that it’s too late for him or her to get married, to have children, or to get whatever the desired miracle is. I am a living proof of God’s power, mercy, and love. Where God is concerned, it is never too late, for with Him, nothing is impossible.”
Some people were nodding their heads in agreement.
“I am a bundle of testimonies. Now, here’s the first miracle, I got married last year at the age of forty six. The second miracle: I wasn’t sure I would be able to have a child and I told my husband but hey, I got pregnant almost immediately!”
People clapped.
“Three, I thought I was carrying a baby but God in His infinite wisdom planted two in my womb. The fourth miracle,”
People clapped again.
“The fourth one, the doctors were not very sure I would be able to deliver them on my own. They said I might need to be operated on, but I delivered them without operation. Five,”
People clapped again.
“Five, I’m alive and okay,” happy tears choked her voice but she went on. “Anything could have happened to me, I could have died. The birth of the second baby was a little difficult, he was in a breech position and the doctors had to turn him.” Her voice broke.
Femi stood and wrapped an arm around her.
“But God kept me.” She said.
Femi sat.
Ibie continued. “The twins are alive and okay, my husband is alive and okay, all my children are okay, my husband’s parents and grandmother are alive and okay, my own parents are alive and okay.”
People clapped.
“And for as many as are trusting God for these miracles,”
Some people stood to their feet immediately.
Grace also stood. She placed her right hand on her tummy and raised the left hand up to heaven.
“Our God who had mercy on me will have mercy on you; He will give you your heart’s desires in Jesus’ name.”
When Ibie eventually stopped and sat, Femi got to his feet to give a vote of thanks to everyone present.
They eventually sang the second hymn which was ‘All Hail the Power of Jesus Name’. This was followed by the closing prayer by Jaye at six-twenty five.
When the ceremony ended, the G.O. and his team indicated that they were leaving. Ibie summoned Grace and asked her to get some people to carry the food and drinks that had been reserved for the ministers into their vehicles.
Femi saw them off. By the G.O.’s car, he gave him an envelope that contained cash to appreciate him and his wife. He also gave an envelope to the Head of the G.O.’s protocol team.
Back in the compound where the choir was now singing and people were socialising with one another, he went to meet his wife where she stood talking to some people. Friends and family members came to them. Pictures were being taken and the event recorded on video.
Femi saw that his mother, grandmother, and mother-in-law had gone inside the house with the twins. Good.
Uniformed servers moved around, serving different kind of food. Three types of rice were available: ofada rice, jollof rice, and fried rice. Assorted meat, goat meat, chicken, fried plantain, and pounded yam with vegetable soup were also available. Some of the servers were in charge of bottled water, non-alcoholic wine, canned malt and fruit juice.
Just as Dayo was being served food at about six-thirty five, he saw Mercy and three people arrive. The excitement he felt at seeing her surprised him. Actually, she had not been far from his thoughts since Tuesday when he checked her Facebook page.
As she walked in front of the others carrying two bags and her handbag, he stared at her. Against his will, his eyes started from her hair, went to her face, took in her shapely body, and ended at her legs. She wore a grey button-down top on a bright yellow skirt, bright yellow necklace and nude high-heeled shoes.
(To be continued )
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