Chapter 49 WORD UNDER CHRIST CHURCH
Sobrina became very zealous with the things of the Lord, her commitment knew no bounds. She felt she owed it to every soul she had once led astray. She wanted to make right all the wrongs she had done.
Her sincerity was very obvious, and Reverend Saul entrusted her quickly with responsibilities in the church.
In a matter of months, she became a cell pastor of her vicinity, and worked closely with the Reverend. She evangelised to everyone who cared to listen.
The Reverend encouraged her to narrate her testimony in front of the congregation regularly, she innocently obeyed, attracting more members to the church as a result.
The church members took care of her daily needs and feeding. She never joked with prayers, prayers replaced meditation for her.
She prayed incessantly, wanting to be more devoted than she was as a Devil worshipper. She hoped she could retribute for all her wrong doing.
Sobrina so trusted God and the claims of the Reverend concerning how he performs miracles. He had preached about how God healed His children after forgiving their sins, with many supporting testimonies from his congregation. She opened up to the Reverend concerning her health - she had HIV - an incurable illness with a lot of stigma.
The Reverend prayed for her, and sent her to the University's hospital for a rerun test. He hoped it would be negative, but the result came out positive. He consoled Sobrina telling her to be patient, that God would definitely heal her. He also collected the paper on which the result of the test was written.
The first semester of her Masters had finally started. She asked Reverend Saul for permission to get a job so she could be able to support herself.
"No, you should not do any other work apart from the ones I've placed in your hands in WUCC. They demand attention. In that case, I'll start giving you little money as payment from time to time", he promised.
Even though irregular little money was not all Sobrina needed, she accepted, fully aware that she wasn't supposed to be paid for doing 'God's work', her reward was supposed to be in heaven, according to the teachings of the Reverend.
After attending few classes, the University began to demand for the payment of tuitions. Sobrina spoke to Pastor Melvin about it, and he advised her to speak to the Reverend.
The Reverend had announced in church few weeks ago about how his church was opening a new charity organization outreach, which would help poor students who were members of his church, with scholarships. And had asked that people should start making donations to the organization.
Sobrina saw hope from afar, she called the Reverend on the phone.
"Sir, I cannot afford to pay my tuition. Is there a way I could benefit from the new charity foundation?",
"Come to counseling on Wednesday, we will discuss about it", the Reverend responded.
Sobrina fasted regularly, praying in the spirit. She received great miracles after praying. Her father suddenly had a change of heart. He decided he would pay for her tuition and care for her academics.
"I cannot pay for your tuition", the Reverend informed Sobrina during counseling the following week. He was unaware of the miracle that had happened in Sobrina's life. It would have been a devastating disappointment had things not taken a different turn. She happily informed him about what had happened and waved aside the disappointing incident.
Christianity had become very personal and dear to Sobrina, it clouded her judgment and she couldn't notice how selfish the Reverend was.
The Reverend was totally concerned with growing his church and making money. The charity foundation he had announced was just another means of making money.
Sobrina would come to learn how desperate the Reverend actually was.
