PRESERVED (5)

Continued... 

      The next morning was a Saturday and they were all set for the visit. Rather than the hate they should have felt, they felt a sudden concern for him. Tunji was surprised when the jailer called him that he had visitors.  He had had no one visit him in the last five years and could not imagine who the visitors could be. He was ushered to the visiting room and he was dead shocked to see who his visitors were... His wife, step daughter, a little girl he knew instantly was his daughter as he remembered  his wife was pregnant before his arrest and this could only be the child... his daughter and Pastor Anthony, the father of the very first child he took advantage of when he was a teenager. Pastor Anthony came very close to tears on sighting him, remembering this was the same man that almost ruined his first daughter's life had Jesus not intervened. It was in the past now and Pastor Anthony would rather leave it there, after all his daughter was doing so well now and had just recently married a good man.

   Tunji couldn't understand why Pastor Anthony smiled at him rather than utter any angry word. Bidemi and her mother also could not understand the recognition Pastor Anthony shared with Tunji. To ease the confusion that befell the others, Tunji tearfully narrated how he knew him and what he had done to his daughter. Tunde finished talking and buried his head in shame, Pastor Anthony assured him that he had long forgiven him and shared the testimony of how God healed his daughter and how well she is currently living.  

Tunji had never thought he would be so easily forgiven; he couldn't understand why and this brought him to his knees seeking forgiveness from all of them especially Bidemi who had suffered cruelly because of him. They all forgave him and told him of how it was God that always scared him each time he made an attempt to sexually abuse Bidemi. Suddenly he could relate their story, he always saw a strange bright light coupled with the feeling of a presence that seemed to always be around her... His reasons for terming her possessed. He begged for forgiveness again... This time, from God. He knew he did not deserve all their forgiveness but still he hoped they could forgive him especially his little daughter who may grow up learning of his acts... He cried bitterly. Just then, Pastor Anthony asked

"Are you tired?!" In a way that connoted more meaning than the obvious, Tunji understood just what he meant. He had lived his life running and being hunted, he was tired of his life, of being a pedophile; he knew this was a craving only from the devil... A craving he had tried to fight with physical strength... He was now tired!... He wanted the man of the cross... Wanted so badly to lay his burdens at his feet. 

"Yes... I am exhausted! I am dying under the weight of my sins" He cried out

   After he had completely surrendered, Pastor Anthony helped him with the prayers of repentance while he repeated after him. Unknowingly to them all, the jailer was also already on his knees and soaked in tears while chorusing the prayers along with them. They had spent more time than was normally allotted but the jailer was willing to give them more time. They left after they had shared some scriptures with Tunji and the jailer. Bisola hugged her father despite the handcuffs that prevented him from hugging her in return and she whispered into his ears

"See you soon dad... I asked Jesus to set you free and bring you home to us... We love you dad" Tunji smiled at her, he didn't want to douse her faith by telling her he had only spent five out of his twenty - one years jail term. They all prayed and departed. 

    Soon, Tunji joined the prison's chapel and began a new life with God. Each time he remembered his daughter's words he breaks into tears again and begins to pray that God grants him the miracle of Paul and Silas, a story that had brought hope to him during one of their chapel services. The words of the chaplain seemed to have been directed straight at him on that very day and thereafter, left a deep impression on his heart. 

A year and six months later, a new governor was elected into office after having lost repeatedly for eight years. To celebrate his victory, the governor ordered the bail of twenty inmates. The inmates must have been proven to have changed positively and must be willing to live changed lives as free citizens. Tunji's name was the last name on the list of those set free that fateful... No... Faithful day. 

Meanwhile, friends were already coming around at Bisola's sixth birthday party. The whole atmosphere was a happy one... Birthday gown, Cake and rice!. Gifts flooded everywhere but Bisola looked intently at the door and muttered beneath her breath

"Oya Jesus, your birthday gift" She had asked only one thing from Jesus for her birthday and she closed her eyes as though in hopes of a surprise. Before she could think of opening her eyes, air of strange excitement had filled the house as her father walked in and on seeing her started singing with tears in his eyes 

"... Happy birthday to you my dear..... Happy birthday to you!" Bisola ran and jumped on him not minding his haggard look and shouted 

"This is the best birthday ever... Thank you Jesus!". Every other member of the family soon joined them in the excitement and joy. The photographer knew this was not a moment for him to miss and just as they all had white dentitions opened unintentionally. It was a... Click! 

                          THE END 

#HimSpired_Mii 

#InChristed

#Preserved 

#StorySeries