Dear Jesus,

I was too stressed from what happened in church yesterday evening to have written anything in my diary to you. It was so sudden, so unexpected.

So, we went to church as we would have on any other normal day. But upon getting there, we met a little mob in the parking lot. Placards and all.

Shouts and incoherent chants that bordered on them seeking to fish out the 'rapist' and let justice take its course rent the hot evening air.

People have time, like seriously.

Mr Faithful and Mr Bethel were trying to calm them down and talk to them. Pastor Henry too was there, but they were making no headway.

No one had yet noticed our presence cos Dad slowed down and stopped some meters away from the center of the mob.

"Dad, please don't get off the car," I said.

I was seeing the mist of darkness rising from the mob with my spiritual eyes. It was coming off them like smoke off fire.

Plus, it looked like the wisest advice at the moment. Those angry people looked set to tear their target to shreds.

Mom took her phone and called Mrs Carey to ask about what was going on.
Mrs Carey said they must have somehow gotten info that a service was to be held tonight. That they just showed up unexpectedly.

She even said that she had had to disconnect the church phone lines because they were about to ring off the hook with people calling and demanding to speak with the General Overseer, meaning my already overwhelmed Dad.

She added that it would be best if we go back home rather than venture headlong into danger.

Mom passed the message across to Dad. Dad asked to speak with Mrs Carey.

He assured her everything would be fine and that she shouldn't panic. Maybe her voice was trembling a little. Poor Mrs Carey! It must have come as a shocker to this sweet widow.

Dad, being a faithful shepherd over his flock, insisted that the service must hold, come rain come sunshine.

After confirming from her that no one had been physically assaulted, he told her to send a quick message to all the trusted ministers and workers to meet in thirty minutes at our house for the service.

House fellowship leaders were also contacted and asked to hold the service at their various locations. It was impromptu but at least it worked.

As fast and quietly as could be managed, Dad stealthily turned the car around and zoomed out of the church premises.

Unfortunately, one can't tiptoe with a vehicle. The car's engine sounded and that was when a few protesters noticed us (I saw that from the rear mirror and heard their shouting voices demanding for the car to stop) but it was too late for them to do anything.
Phew! It was a narrow escape.

We drove back home in silence. Each one of us was lost in our own thoughts and contemplations.

I was jokingly praying that we won't find a throng of people by our gate and splattered all over our house's wall like geckos.

We didn't. I almost sighed out in relief at that. I stifled it in cos it would have seemed weird if I didn't have a congent reason for my sighing spree.
And I didn't want to magnify the tension. Dad and Mom had much on their minds as it were.

Thirty-five minutes later, eight ministers were seated in our living room, talking in hushed tones amidst themselves. They all looked worried and concerned. But at least their coming was a sign of allegiance.

Mrs Carey, Mr Faithful, Mr Bethel, the youth minister, and the assistant pastor, Mr Henry, came in later, obviously delayed by the rumpus the mob had created at the church auditorium. They were drenched in their own salty sweat.

After gaining the attention of the gathering and having a short worship and prayer session, Dad addressed the small gathering in our our sitting room.

He explained in as much detail as possible all what had been going on. That is, what they didn't already know – the truth.

"At a time like this we have to strengthen our bond of unity and love. If anything, we mustn't be ignorant that this is a ploy of the devil to cause division and the falling away of many from the faith." He paused and gazed into each person's eye.

"We must be watchful and prayerful more than ever before. The enemy doesn't just strike for no reason. He's trying to counter God's great plan. But he won't succeed."

"God willing, this whole drama will be resolved once the press release of annulment of the former news is made by tomorrow. Thank you all for believing in this ministry and bearing all the insults for the sake of Christ. Great is our reward in Heaven. Hallelujah!"

Each minister gave a report on what the felt could have been the starting point of the whole saga.

Mr Bethel said it could be the sect that had threatened the Church last year with filing a lawsuit for disturbing community peace.

Yeah, I faintly remember that time when they claimed that our vigils and music used to cause disturbance to the environment.

Dad had to create a committee to raise funds to buy the expensive sound proof course for the walls, doors and windows of the church. All in the pursuit of peace with all men.

If it is this same group that is behind the spreading of rumours, then we must have ruffled some feathers. Probably upturned some evil altars in the spiritual atmosphere too.

"I must say that this whole issue has revealed to me how fragile the body of Christ is. How disunited we are," Mrs Carey said as she adjusted her specs.

"I was in charge of the phone lines. Factions are arising, Pastor. In fact, some other Christians are even stabbing the back of the church without finding out the truth," she said, addressing my Dad.

"The church is marching on and the gates of hell shall not prevail against her," Mom quoted that popular scripture.

The discussion continued.

Meanwhile I was musing within me. Wondering why such things happen to innocent servants of God. Persecution, lies, scandal...

"I told you the battle has just begun didn't I?" Holy Spirit reminded me when I began to pose questions in my spirit.

"Yes you did. I'm sorry for questioning and doubting. It's just that I was rattled by what transpired. I mean, what if the mob had caught us? It could have been lethal. Thank you for delivering us from that," I softly and repentantly stated in my spirit back to you.

"That's better," Holy Spirit whispered into my mind.

I gave a smile. You're the best, Lord.

Dad had a long talk with Pastor Henry; Mom with Mrs Carey, that lasted well into the night.

I had to fix dinner. I knew Mom and Dad must have been stressed from the whole impromptu mob drama. They were appreciative, even though the pepper sauce I made was on the brink of being oversalted.
It's not that I'm not a good cook. It's just that the mob saga successfully crushed my culinary abilities for the meantime.
I know that's a silly excuse for poor cooking. *Coughs dramatically*

We had our family prayer meeting. Thanksgiving and praises at all times is what I've learnt is a sacrifice to you in tough times.
My parents and I thanked you for the opportunity to partake in the sufferings of Christ. When men revile us and persecute us and say all sorts of evil concerning us, we will yet praise you.

Meanwhile, long after everyone had left and I was in my room, I chatted with Felicia. We had a long discussion. You, through my admonitions to her, helped to re-affirm her shaking faith.

She didn't have the best of experiences either both on Tuesday and Wednesday at her school. My own unconsciousness was a tip of the iceberg compared to the stigma and slander that was poured on her poor head.

At least, I wasn't awake to have had a fair share of all that. Plus I saw you.

I didn't forget to ask her permission to give Frederick her phone number.

She was hesitant at first, but I assured her that he didn't take the news as true. I forwarded his message to her, to prove my point and she budged.

I sent her number to him.
He was online so he replied with a thank you.

I had brief talk with him, asking after Lydia and his internship.

Lydia's fine. He'll soon complete his one year internship and start aiming to finish his BSc Psychology program at McChynne College.

He wanted to broach the aspect of the fake news about Dad. My curt and monosyllabic replies must have hinted him that I was in no mood for that discussion. I just asked him to be praying for us.

We said our good nights and I switched off my internet connection.

I laid on my bed and stared up into the ceiling.

"Jesus, please have mercy upon us. This whole issue is escalating."

And I closed my eyes in sweet sleep.

*********
Hi peeps! Hope you enjoyed this chapter.🥰🤗 I know it's kinda short, but I hope you got the message God wants us as Christians to learn.

I'm so grateful for all your love, support, votes and comments. You guys are the best.

I also appreciate the Lord Jesus who is my inspiration. 🌹💖

This chapter is dedicated to my dear sister in Christ, ancientwritergirl ,who personally thanked me for reading and commenting on her amazing book.
🤭😉(You guys should go check out Won over and Awaiting her beau written by her)

God bless y'all! ❤️