NO BIBLE NO BREAKFAST DAILY BIBLE REFLECTIONS AND MORE

My mum wanted me to get closer to Pastor Derick with the aim that he would have much influence on my spiritual life. She would have me visit Pastor Derick for counselling and prayers fortnightly. After some time Pastor Derick made me his errand boy. He saw me as a humble and respectful person, well, that was his opinion about me. I was still discovering who I was myself. Indeed, I appreciated the way and manner he perceived me. Back in school, I had a roommate who had a car and being a benevolent person from a rich family, he gave us driving lessons free of charge. When I had acquired the driving skills, I got my licence through the ‘goro boys’ who hang around the premises of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA). Although it was quite expensive I had it in record time. When Pastor Derick realised that I could drive he decided to send me on errands with His car. I became of great help to him, he eventually introduced me to His wife. I sometimes drive his wife to the market and in some instances drive him to religious conferences which took of a couple of days. There are times that he would give me money which I was grateful for, considering the fact that I was most of the time broke and had to depend on my mum for money.  

There was a time when I drove him to Kumasi for a 3-day revival programme. When we got there, we were both given a hotel to lodge in.  I had never lodged in a hotel facility so I was really excited. The revival programmes were in the evenings so all I did was eat, watch live matches on DSTV and go to the Hotel’s swimming pool to swim. Lunch was a buffet full of sumptuous meals.  I ate like a hunger-stricken refugee from a war-torn country during our stay at the hotel. I often ate till my stomach could no longer contain even a grain of rice. For the three days, we stayed at the Hotel, I believe Pastor Derick was observing fasting and prayers because the only times I had contact with him was during supper and departure to the venue of the revival.   

He performed signs and wonders after his preaching throughout all three nights. He exorcised demons and witches from some ladies who were believed to be possessed. Performing at the mega all-night were some of the popular Ghanaian Gospel musicians. I really felt touched through their song ministrations. There was an anointing service during the last day and amongst those who were anointed were the unemployed graduates, I had my forehead rubbed with olive oil as a sign of anointing. 

Gradually our business at Kumasi came to an end and we had to get back to Accra on Saturday so he could prepare for Sunday service. I really enjoyed the trip and for me, it was an adventure. My dear pastor was exhausted from the three-day programmes so he slept like a baby throughout the five hours journey. I occasionally dozed off on the steer out of lack of adequate sleep but by God’s grace, we made it to Accra safely.  

After church on one of the Sundays, mum sat me down and persuasively encouraged me to join the worship committee. She wanted me to take part in Scripture readings, leading of worship services and eventually become a preacher. Initially, I was apprehensive about the whole idea of becoming part of the worship committee. I had perceived that mum had discussed this already with Pastor Derick. Not long after I had spoken with mum, I had a call from Pastor Derick informing me that my name had been added to the worship committee. For the respect I had for him, I willingly accepted to be part of the committee.   

The worship committee was the door to the next chapter of my life. I began to take up scripture reading roles at church. When it was my turn to read at church, I made sure I wore my best tuxedo suit and applied my sweet-scented perfume. For me, it was time to show the ladies in the church my elegance. When reading, I intentionally change my English accent in an attempt to sound like I just returned from the United States of America. Usually, I would have the pretty ladies admiring my flare and passing head-swelling comments such as         

  “Your reading was spectacular, I will come for some reading lessons!”  “brother Sam, I like the way you read, have you ever lived in the USA?” “Your reading style is rear, God bless you brother Sam”  At the hearing of such comments, I realized that I could do more than just read the scripture. My confidence level had risen. I became more involved in church activities and this drew me closer to Pastor Derick and his wife. On the other hand, I was still a football fanatic, I downloaded an app on my phone that gave me up-to-date information on my favourite football leagues. The addiction to gambling still had a better part of me and this led me to download another app that offered me the luxury and opportunity to gamble even as I moved around with other businesses. There were times when I would be following football updates and get involved in chats on WhatsApp and Facebook conversations whiles church services and other church activities were ongoing under the disguise of reading my electronic Bible on the phone. 

My neighbourhood friends seemingly noticed a big change in my lifestyle. I was no longer associating myself with them. Occasionally, I invite them to church knowing very well they won’t show up. Some of them were still wondering if I was serious about this whole church thing. One of them once asked, “Charley, Sammy ibi sey you get some girl for church wey make you dey attend church anaa? That question made me laugh; he wanted to know if my sudden transformation was engineered by church a girl who had become my motivation for going to church? 

For me, I have found a place where I was becoming popular through my performance. I was given a special assignment to take readers through the reading rehearsals before they finally mount the stage to read. This offered me the opportunity to get close to some of the ladies in the church, especially those on the scripture reading list. I think I got my reading right because I took seriously my English reading and comprehension lessons back at school. I could feel the ladies competing for my attention during some of the scripture-reading rehearsal meetings. The different facial expression was all pointing to one fact, ‘I want to be closer to you’. I felt elated and admired and wanted to have all of them to myself.