Behind Closed Doors: BLACK BEAUTY

DURING my infancy years in my home village of Salye-Buikwe, I used to hear about the tribe of people called the Lugbara who had settled on the neighboring ridge named Kirugwala. My grand mom told me that these people came from the directions of North-Western Uganda in search for greener pastures in Buganda. These Lugbaras were as black as ink and one could hardly separate their skin complexion from the dark of the night. They also spoke a language which I thought only weaverbirds could understand. Another strange thing about this tribe was that one could not easily distinguish between their conversations and quarrels. A man requesting for a woman’s hand in marriage could be heard talking on top of his voice for the entire village to hear. And if you passed by their drinking points, you could wait on your hind legs for the shouting group to break into a violent fight but all in vain.

One of my best friends called Sserunkuuma Bruno assured me that in Uganda Lugbara girls sell like hot cakes for marriage. “If in your lonely heart search, you chance to get one, be rest assured that you’ve got a first class virgin,” said Bruno. He continued to say that however the girl’s parents can give you hell on earth until you grease their palms with pounds and dollars in compensation for their lost virgin daughter.

Soon after university, I got a golden chance of meeting one of the anticipated Lugbara girls in Cell. I didn’t know she was one until one day she turned up for worship with her sister called Sharon, too a beautiful Lugbara. At first I had not recognized their beauty until one of my friends told me that he dreams of having a very beautiful black wife like one of those two girls. That was my eye opener. I begun eyeing one by one and my roving eyes finally settled on Patience.

Patience was pretty charming and had a smile that lasted for hours and days without fading. She was too dark, but God had gifted her with snow-white teeth that could flash out of her mouth and make thousands of men’s eyes to bow. I tried my level best to befriend her and she seemed receptive to all my advances. I knew that we were soon to get on like a house on fire. But one day in Cell I heard her with Sharon assuring us that to marry from their tribe one had to pay millions of dollars and herds of cattle for only one girl. This confirmed Bruno’s words. But I didn’t care a fig for her words and determined to work my fingers to the bone in continuing to find out more about this black beauty.

However, my determination was blown up to a dead end with consistent frustrations. Patience later shifted from our Cell and continued to stay back at home without serious communication. I later had rumors that her dad had reprimanded her never to move a step from their home beyond 7pm since they were in the full flush of their youth. This meant that they had to miss the Cell meetings which were held at the same time every Wednesday. I tried to send to her text messages but all her replies were full of excuses and sometimes she could not answer my calls whenever I tried. The few moments we met at church services, she could only say hello to me and then continue with her endless conversations with fellow girls. This made me feel stupid, rejected and it seriously hurt my frame of mind. I later decided to give up the chase of finding about what is embedded in this black beauty.

But one day after taking full charge of the Cell leadership, I was supposed to keep all the Cell members abreast of the Cell activities. So I chose to communicate to them at least once a week. And this could as well help me pursue my mission of ensuring that all Christians document their lifetime testimonies before leaving for eternity. So I sent a general message to all Cell members saying;

“The time is now for us to pull together for Christmas gifts to bless the two Watoto children who were allocated our cell. These are Muliro Frank and Mulondo Andrew (16 years). You can bring your contribution in cell or to Michael. We need to deliver their gifts before 20^th December 2007. For those who paid a support visit to our patient (Mary) last Friday, thank you very much and may God reward you abundantly, and please let’s keep visiting and encouraging her. She stays across the road, just opposite Julian’s residence. And if you have a kid or your neighbors’ kids, please kindly bring them to attend their Cell at Joy’s place every Saturday evening. Cell is planning to switch Wednesday meetings to Saturdays. Your suggestion is highly welcome before we make any changes. God bless you. Michael”

To my greatest surprise, of all the members who received the communication, it is only Patience who rewarded me with a feedback. At first I could not believe what my eyes were reading. She had designed her reply in a way that even someone peeping could automatically tell the type of letter being read. So I thanked my God and went on to read her message saying;

“Hi Michael,

It’s been a while....how are you my dear?

Man I am so busy at work...I sometimes work 13 hours a day so

It is so hard to come for Cell on Wednesday.

I think the Saturday meeting is a better deal as many

Of the Cell members are working...

My vote is 'yes' for Saturday meeting.

God bless you my dear.

Thank you for keeping in touch...

Patience”

One of the items that impressed me most in the message was that of addressing me as “my dear”. I remember in our days as children in primary and secondary schools, being called a “dear” meant that you’re in love. One dear was a boyfriend and another one a girlfriend. So I grew up keeping a close eye to the word dear. I could check in English language dictionaries and encyclopedias for its multiple meanings. When I discovered that the word also meant ‘close to somebody’s heart’, I got up in full play to sway Patience closer so that I can learn more about the virgin Lugbara girls.

But her busyness at the new workplace was proving to be a threat to my endeavors. How could I break into the thirteen hours of heavy work and talk to the heart of this black beauty? And it seemed impossible to convince her to come for our Cell meetings. But my wonder was still what damn kind of job had this girl just out of university landed on? It would as well be a threat to my credibility in her life, since my academic world was tumbling down due to my delayed graduation at Makerere University.

At that moment I was even planning to instead explore the entrepreneurship world with high sounding ideas that frightened whoever I talked to. Others had begun regarding me as a frustrated failure (FF). But I knew deep down in my heart that I was once an academic giant, though my university studies proved me wrong. I was determined to take my anger and turn it into greatness. To make use of the people who were better and smarter than me, to work for my mission. So my dream was in the pipeline. And Patience was already ranking high on the list of special experts who would form my great working team. So one day I chose to reply her message saying;

“Dear Patience, My eyes are about to go on strike for over searching every where at least to have a glance at you, but all in vain. I suppose you’re ok dear. I last heard from you when you were too busy working on your house. Is it complete now? This is Michael of Cell. I suppose you’re fine. Sorry, I heard that thugs took off in flight with your dear phone. Let me hope you got a better replacement.

“I am doing well these ends, only that I encountered a terrible accident three months back at Kiboga and I have been using crutches to move around. But I thank God that out of the 6 people who perished in it, I narrowly survived it and went in coma for three days. But now I am beginning to find my feet, alive and kicking.

“When are you planning to check on us? I personally miss you, and my request is that even if we do not meet soon, please keep in touch, especially via e-mail. I wish you well, but moments please; SAY HELLO TO SHARON. We love you at Cell. Let me pack my belongings and fly out of this guy’s café. He is ever too strict on time yet as slow as a snail via internet speed. See you dear. God bless you. Michael.”

Depending on the kind of reply I had received from Patience for the previous letter, I was rest assured that now everything in the garden was lovely. So my eyes remained wide open to the main chance of receiving what I had hoped for, and in fact my wishes happened as I had expectantly waited for a sweet reply addressing me as “my dear”. Patience wrote back saying:

“Hi my dear,

I am so sorry to hear about the accident...bambi...three days in a coma?

That was tight...but God is really good my dear. And He also knew that

Your work on earth isn’t yet through

“I finished work on the Arua houses but I am now working at a Real Estate

Company within Kampala...it seems I am just meant to work on houses because here we sell houses- apartments and rent out some....

It is pretty hectic but I love the challenge.

I practically almost run the place because I am the Front Office Manager...

We even had some guests over from the CHOGM crew...Imagine that was when we started work so it was so hectic.

I would be at work by 7am and leave at about 10 pm.

It was challenging sometimes, I had to make top management decisions because I was the one on the ground...but we all reach points where we have to grow up...

“Bambi I miss Cell...but with my work schedule it is hard to attend. That is why I was seconding the idea of Cell on the weekend. But imagine I work Monday to Monday so I don't even have a day off. But the best part is that I work from 7am to 3pm so most of my afternoons are free if we do not have guests.

“I was really so glad to hear from you...send our love to the Cell.

Sharon got a job with Barclays Bank so she also has a busy schedule...

We love and miss you all.

God bless you my dear and good to hear you are recovering. Take care.”

Patience’s words sunk deep down into my soul, and really felt that my dream of entering into people’s hearts to dig out the hidden treasures was beginning to unfold. Honestly in life, I had not managed to effectively convince a gathering of at least one girl to dance according to my tune. But I had managed to take some easy girls for a ride but I didn’t really influence their lifestyles to disclose to me whatever was hidden in their secret places. Probably it was only Teddy who was part of my university classmates. I had entered into her life I think by luck. I just saw the invisible forces of heaven unfolding a beautiful girl towards a wretchedly irresponsible person of my caliber at that time. I tried a bit to leave her and continue with my “I don’t care” attitude to lifestyles, but circumstances could divert my course and find myself again in her presence.

Now here was Patience. She was proving to be a woman of potential. She seemed to be the kind of young woman who had hit the jackpot early in life, and who was climbing up the corporate ladder at a terrific bat. This looked very challenging to me at first. I did not have enough money at the time to suit her rising stature. My education was ending in a total disillusionment and the writing project which I was working on was having a faint distant future. At the moment I was indeed leading a dog’s life. I had become a disgrace to many of my relatives who were expecting a full government Minister out of my aborted education degree. But I gathered my thoughts together again and decided to write back to Patience, this time with a lot of care and romantic language. I said;

“My dear Patience,

Do not worry so much about the outcomes of the accident. All things work out for good to those who trust God…munnange...the three days spent in a coma were so thrilling! Can you imagine I regained my consciousness right in International Hospital Kampala on bed! I asked the guys around saying; “You thugs, what the hell are we doing here?”

My Uncle immediately intervened and asked whether I didn’t know that we had got a terrible accident in Kiboga. I just shrugged my shoulders and started to protest that in all my plans I do not remember putting Kiboga in my programs. I even pinched myself to find out whether I was really normal or indeed dead! For real it was tight and God is always good my dear Patience. What brought me back to my normal senses was the pain of the compound fracture in my right thigh; a scanned and operated forehead and the lack of clear eyesight. And I had completely lost my memory, in fact up to today; I do not remember the exact site and the real horrors of that accident! The entire tragic story was narrated to me later by other survivors and the rescuers.

“And as God also knows that my work on earth isn’t yet over, He begun revealing and unfolding to me His majestic plan for my life. All circumstances around me were proving to be too ugly, I begun hating myself and everyone around me looked like nothing. But I swore to take my anger and turn it into greatness. There is no scripture in the Bible which condemns revenging against the devil. So now I am up in arms to fly in the face of the devil and overcome him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimonies.

“Oh, congs-up for the finished work on the Arua houses. Was it a family project or is it part of the Real Estate Company you’re working for? I suppose that since you’re working on houses you’ve already secured for yourself a self contained bungalow somewhere in Muyenga…Or probably you’re the guys who were developing the previously over-advertised Celtel Village! Oh, please do not talk about rent…my landlord has just locked me out of her “muzigo” just because I had not yet cleared for November!

“Thank God that your work is hectic, that’s your real learning point away from the academic world. The biggest challenges come along with the greatest rewards enclosed within. Running such a busy place is not just a walk over, and I am indeed challenged; A Front Office Manager? You are really climbing up the corporate ladder. Soon you may become the next Jomayi. Since you can even manage to attract those CHOGM guys, who knows, probably you as well received a golden handshake from the Queen!

“It is great you started work that way. I can imagine, it might have been a real baptism of fire. But I can’t imagine you working for such long hours! You’ll break your back yet I suppose you haven’t reached the age of mid-life crisis! What’s the mission of your firm? I believe making top management decisions involves keeping the working team focused on the Mission as well. And if your supervisors can entrust you with such great responsibilities, Patience, kick up your heels, you’re on your way to greatness.

“Munnange you must miss Cell. I hope you got that mail concerning our current activities and upcoming programs. And I am confident; you’ll make it on Saturdays, though some of us who enjoy Arsenal-Liverpool-Man-U madness on GTV, have been rubbed the wrong way. It is really painful to work without a break, but some of us are very busy working so hard that we have no time to make money! So how do you spend your afternoons in case you have no guests?

“I am really impressed by your replies. I enjoy reading them over and over again. Oh, my God, those decorations put my feet up! I really like the way you do it. Send my greetings to Sharon. I hear those guys at Barclays these days are swimming in an ocean of money! Let me hope Sharon won’t drown in it. God indeed bless you my dear Patience and I am waiting eagerly to hear from you again. Take Care.”

Now with Patience I knew all is done for me concerning her replies. I was rest assured that all her inner information was to start flowing towards my side. So I had to have a bigger bucket to collect the waters of her inner being. And this would drive me straight into the answers of the hidden treasures behind the scenes of this black beauty. So it came. Her reply was just in time saying:

“Hi dear,

I am still in office can you imagine???

But anyway one advantage is that I have free internet

So I can send my loved ones (you inclusive) e-mails.

“Bambi thanks for the replies. They also get me going.

So you mean you actually suffered memory loss? Eh, I thought those things

Only happen in movies....so now I start calling you Jack Chan?

....am just being silly.

“Man this job is so interesting also....Now among the CHOGM guests, one of the old men

Landed for me...more over the Chief of Protocol of the August House of Mozambique...

This man has insisted that he wants to marry me and I become his second wife

I died......more over he is older than my father.

“Mbu next year he is coming to take me with him to Mozambique.

Mpozi nga he has put me in his suitcase will I leave....but anyway let me

Wait and see...you know some men can be active to say words but when it is actions,

They are like tortoises.

Me, I told him to come and prove he is a man.....

“Meanwhile, do you have a girl friend yet?

Bambi hurry......we want to come for wedding meetings

Me am dating, some guy from Austria...yeah he is white....

....we met in Arua just before he went back to Austria but we have

“Been in touch....he is coming next year and he wants to meet my family.

It is scary......not about how I feel; I do not doubt my feelings

But it is a huge step and the cultural differences also put me in a spot....

...but I pray for favor to be upon him and that he will be accepted for who he

is and not what he looks like....so even you be praying for me....as I pray for

Your eye to catch the sight of a worthy woman.....but you know, when

You put God in your things, he never lets you down....much as in your

Human nature you are afraid, God always gives peace and understanding, patience and endurance...

“To be honest, I love receiving your e-mails also.....they inspire and I

Know that I have a friend in you.................

“Okay, time to go now. I have to close my office....

Love you lots and miss you even more.......

Take care, my precious one.

God bless.

I also love these faces.”

I read Patience’s letter laughing my head off. I did not even wait for long to reply. But the impression I got according to her reply was, probably she smelt the rat that I might be interested in proposing to her to be my fiancé.  But since she had gone ahead to reveal her love life to me before I could ask for much, it was obvious to me that she was much capable of unveiling more un-trodden treasures. So I wrote back saying:

“Precious Patience,

I imagine if you were married, you would always have been at odds with your husband for having married yourself to office work! But thanks for that free internet that enables you to spare time and communicate to lonely hearts like mine. Keep up the good spirit, Patience.

“Munnange your reply made me laugh my head off. In fact I read your e-mail with my legs hanging to the roof! But how could you compare me to those movie actors? For real, I am certain those guys have never been in a coma. They just imitate the reality of guys like me who have ever enjoyed the sweetness of resting in a coma. I suppose it is the sweetness of eternal peace…The silent breeze…The soft touch….just timelessness!!!

“Patience, I am happy that you’re enjoying your job. I knew that CHOGM would come along with some guys whose roving eyes never settle on one woman. You know men are naturally adventurous. We always love to keep checking microphone one...two…And I always hear that those old men who are surviving only on borrowed time yet are still interested in cute young girls, in Luganda are called sseddubutto (Eh, I know Luganda too). Now that igwe from Mozambique is on the same mission. He also wants to test the sweetness of milk and honey that flows from the Pearl of Africa. I even heard rumors that you Ugandan girls sell like hot cakes out there especially to old zungus! By the way how old is that Mozambiquan... Mozambiquin… may be Mozambican chief igwe?  I am afraid, next year is just days away. I have already developed weird imaginations; seeing you hand in hand with this grand dad, heading for Entebbe airport, and you finally Fly Emirates to oba Maputo at midnight! Then his first wife catches you red-handed in her man’s laps getting on like a house on fire in Maputo Serena Hotel! And after several months of living like fighting cocks, you fly back to Arua with a ban in your oven! Munnange wait but with caution; some men fight to the finish and can have a finger in every pie if they find out that you only want them to prove their manhood. What will you do if the Moza…guy comes well armed to the teeth and ready to put you in the family way? If you’re still living in a glass house, please, throw no stone!

“Personally I have many girls who are my friends but I haven’t proposed to any. Pastor Mark always rebukes us Born-again guys; that we just look at you beautiful girls, and instead of proposing, we just raise our boring holy hands to heaven and pretend to be too spiritual. But for me, I shall not panic. Last Wednesday we hosted our zonal leader-Cyrus in Cell and he said something that intrigued me. He said that most of you KPC girls have set very high worldly standards that cannot be easily met by young bachelors like me. And that some of you think that you’re more holy than the Holy Spirit; so you want to get married to ONLY Pastors, (the men õ Göd)! If not, you wait till you reach a mid-life crisis and then elope from God’s family with the non-Born-again guys! I suppose he didn’t include you.

“The kind of ministry I am running requires that I mind God’s business first as He takes care of my own businesses. So I am confident that I’ll meet my divine mate along the way. I know that divine girl exists; therefore I do not need to rush or fix things. And a Pastor friend of mine from Redeemed Church, counseled me that, if I am to serve God, I need to ask Him to bring me a suitable companion who will be supportive to my vision. My eyes have been following a beautiful loving girl from Namirembe Christian Fellowship of Pr. Kayiwa. I put her in my microscope (not in a ccupa), and found out that she really has a big heart. But I am still reading her like a book. Munnange the saying goes; marry in haste and repent in leisure.

“But sincerely Patience, you’re twice a woman! How did you fly across the seven seas of the world and land on an Austrian guy? Have you ever been to that coldness of Vienna? Or he’s the one who fled from the most peaceful country in the world (oh, sorry, it’s Switzerland) to take a temporary refuge just a stone’s throw away from the troublesome Kony territory! I hear those Austrian guys are also so good at making watches (but today we use mobile phones for watches). And our very own captain of the Uganda Cranes (Ibrahim Sekajja) plays his professional football in Austria. May be he’s the one who made you connect! And if the Austrian is also coming next year, won’t he meet face to face with the Mozambican Chief of Protocol? And all hell will break loose! But let’s pray that your family will respect your emotions, not go against your lifetime decision, and wholesomely embrace your Sweetheart, as he grabs you away from us the bu vigilant brothers! But I am still curious on how you fell in love with him? I guess Austrians do not know English. Who translated for you when he finally said; “Patience, I love you. Will you marry me?” And how did you respond “Yes, I do” in Austrian? Hum, sometimes I think crazy!

“In your culture what steps are taken for someone to be accepted as your suitor? At first I used to think that the guy has to part away with herds of cattle or grease your parents’ palms with pounds and dollars before they do his heart good! However, I am going to get on my knees and request the invisible powers of heaven to follow up your Austrian guy (oba what is his name!) so that whatever he touches, turns into gold.

“Your prayer for me should be to become serious as far as love things are concerned. You know I am a kind of guy who was once addicted to hardcore pornography and habitual masturbation in my flush of youth. As a consequence, I lost intense feelings for girls. But I didn’t become impotent, only that I lost the curiosity for adventure. But I thank Jesus that He washed my wickedness away with His blood. And He is in the process of restoring my lost glory and to rediscover the value imbedded in real intimate love. I am afraid; I’ve begun to open my wounds to you! But anyway, I trust you.

“I feel so guilty when I take long to reply your mails. Even a single day becomes like a week, a week into a month and bra…bra…But I feel so blessed that we are connecting. You know sometimes I feel a passion to pour out my heart to someone concerned, caring and loving, when there is no one. But despite of your busyness, you’re always there to communicate back. I love that. You’re the best. Let me also go home now. You know these café guys sometimes just chase me out of their room. Mbu I read and compose mails while laughing… Michael”

I suppose my mail was a heartbreaker. Unlike previously, this time Patient kept silent and took days and weeks without replying to my message. This action again opened a whole can of worms in my head. I used to hear from my fellow boys that girls are not interested in any man who doesn’t have another woman he loves. These girls love competing because it is health and proves their ratings on the beauty measure. So when a young lady discovers that a man is single and without a woman on his mind, they just mock and flatter him.

So my reply to Patience was based on an assumption that she realizes that my letters to her are not necessarily suggesting a love relationship with her. And that have another young lady called Teddy whom I was still studying in case I would marry in the near future. Indeed it was correct. That lady existed in my heart though I had not yet disclosed it to her. I had asked God that He makes circumstances bring us closer and together. God had hearkened to my supplications and made one of my Aunties called Harriet to choose Teddy to escort her on her trip to the United States of America. This looked like a landmark in my pursuit of Teddy’s love since she had known Harriet through me. But I kept my peace and decided not to panic about the incidence because I never wanted to steal away God’s glory. But I kept in touch with Teddy anyway.

Since I had disclosed to Patience that someone is in the pipeline for my intimate relationship, I began to feel insecure. I thought that probably Patience tricked me in her previous mail to find out whether I was single or engaged to a lady. And in case I had told her that I was totally single, complete and free, she would have fallen in love with me. But why did she have to play with my mind to such extremes? I asked myself. Whenever I could check my mail inboxes I would find questions sent by Patience asking me about stuff like. “Are you a jealous person?” or “Would you rather be single than in a relationship?” When I answered the first question that I am jealous, I discovered that Patience had also submitted in the same answer to the FanBox website. So I decided never to answer any of her questions she was sending me via FanBox website. But questions kept coming and kept doing the deleting until one day I received a mail from her sister Sharon. She wrote:

 “Hello dear, it’s great that you keep in touch and keep spending your love. But it’s sad that I don’t return the love. The problem is I never read my mails. I just keep promising myself that I will do. I am glad to know you’re okay and still caring. By God’s Grace I graduated and now working with Barclays Bank. Am having so many challenges in my life and that’s why I have missed Cell for this long. Pray for me please. I love you guys and thanks for being my pals. I know I can lean on you. God Bless. Sharon.”

At first I thought that Patience had disclosed to Sharon all that I had told her in the previous mails. Probably she had set her for me to derail me from my pursuing mission of Teddy’s affection. However, I came to my senses that this wasn’t at all a conspiracy. I remembered that I had earlier sent my first mail to Sharon saying;

“Dear Sharon, How are you? I am very sorry for not bothering to communicate to you. You know these days we tend to burry ourselves in the guise of being so busy that we forget to cherish our beloved ones. But I hope you’re doing well. Did you graduate? I remember the time I last saw you, you were too busy chasing after accomplishing your research paper. How did you sort out your issues with your supervisor? You know those guys at times think that they know everything backwards!

Sharon, I hope you’re still in touch with your own flesh and blood-Patience. You were too close and so I do not think you can spend some days apart. I had a friend of mine called Ibra, one day he commented that he had never seen sisters too loving and so close to one another like you and Patience. Any way, keep it up; you’re two sisters who used to make me proud in Cell.

By the way, why are you so silent these days? It seems life is a bit challenging to you. Sometime back you could flash or send me a sweet SMS, but these days am longing for some ka-beep from you but all in vain. But I thank God that I got your e-mail address, and I pray that we continue communicating this way in case you have a break at work. And do not forget to visit us in cell some day. Ok, now I believe you’re coming. Bring a friend with you.

I wish you well dear and please keep it high with Christ. No greater love can we receive anywhere else apart from Jesus. Send my greetings to Patience. Allow me to rush out of this guy’s café. You know his charges are a total day-light robbery. Nice time dear. Michael.”

So I had to write back an immediate reply to keep the candle burning as I was confident that whatever I may tell Sharon, so to Patience. I wrote back saying;

“Dear Sharon thanks so much for remembering me. It was really great for me to receive your mail. I have always been in touch with Patience but was still wondering what happened to you. I suppose now you’ll be in position to adjust and try to read your mails. I personally enjoy them and I really don’t know why I love people who write and read mails so much. Probably because I am naturally and professionally a writer!

I am also thrilled that you’re still alive and kicking. Did you enjoy your Christmas? For me I locked myself in my tiny room on Christmas and woke up the following day on Boxing Day! I even forgot to go and buy myself at least one leg of chicken! It sounds crazy!

Thank God Sharon that you graduated. It is not always an easy way out of the university. But I thought you’re a Psychologist. How did you instead end up counting money in Barclays Bank? Oh, dear I am so sorry that you’re facing those multiple challenges in life. But be of a good cheer; problems and mistakes are learning opportunities. They make us learn more about real world experiences, make us develop to maturity, responsibility and even enable us to make calculated risks if we are determined to move to the next levels of our development. So stand still and confess positively to those negative situations.

We are praying for you in Cell and I am confident that one day you’ll make it for Cell. By the way, we’ll be meeting on Saturdays at 6: 30 beginning 2008. We love you too and please keep in love with our Father in heaven; He will help you identify, develop and give out your gifting to serve Him and His people. Goodbye dear, and please always stay in touch. I wish you a beautiful 2008. Michael

The immediate lesson I learnt from this simple interaction with Patience was to take time before disclosing our heartaches and confidentialities to others. We need to ensure that what we disclose won’t hurt others or boomerang. However, sometimes we tend to take others by just face value and forget that they have many hidden treasures in the secret places of their hearts. I learnt a big lesson when Patience finally opened up and told me her thrilling story:

“Hello my dear,
I just read your email with prayer requests and it just touched my heart...
I have missed you sooooo much!!!!
How are you my dear???
There was a day I wrote to you what was going on in my life and when I pressed 'send' the computer said my session had expired...I felt so bad and then I went on strike after that that’s why you have no been hearing from me...

“Bambi how are you??? I am glad people in the cell are graduating from 'foot-subishi' to Jeeps...hallelujah Julian!!!!
Work is still hectic...i told you I work Monday to Monday...my day off is on a Tuesday so still it is very hard to come for cell but I know I will attend one of these days.

“Michael so much is going on in this life of mine...let me start with the challenges...My parents!!!
My parents are going through a phase in their marriage and I believe it is only God who can help them...I would like to request that the cell pray for them. You know in our African culture, as we grew up, we were taught that we should be 'men' and 'women' about our issues and do not tell any one and trust me many of us sit on problems because of public image...but today I choose to do this God's way. Where two or more are gathered in my name, I will be in their midst'...

“Michael we have struggled as children growing up in a home where there is hatred, fighting, unhappiness...a broken home!!!! And being the first born I have carried the burden for far too long...but I believe God did not bring us this far to abandon us and He who started a good work in me-us shall bring it to accomplishment. My God is not a man that he should lie to me...

“Michael sometimes in the heat of things at home, you take the law into your hands and fight the battle but trust me, you can never take the place of God...and today I surrender...total surrender to God. I need for you to stand with me-us my family.

“Michael there are days it is hard to pray but I believe when you have intercessors they pray when you can not....
I have had that load for a long time...I feel it is time I let it all to the Lord....

“Meanwhile my muzungu is coming also...next month or in March. I need for God to soften the hearts of my parents because they have this conservative mentality that only prostitutes date white men...And he is coming to meet my parents. Anyway Michael, you know these things...if my God is for me, who will be against me??? That is why I need for you to stand with me...

“How are you otherwise???
You know it is funny how I feel so free telling you things...the simplest like what I had for lunch or just sharing my deepest fears with you. You are just God sent and I thank God for you...many times it is easy to lose track of reality but am glad people like you are there to give us hope.

“Michael an email from you just makes me want to weep for joy...I feel that God really cared enough about me to bless me with you...honestly.
I love my cell; I love you guys so much. Even if I can not be there I know my place is still there in the cell. That is a home for many. Michael...you do not know how much each and every one in the cell is struggling with or what they are going through. But God gave that cell as a home even if it is for 2hours, you have a solace for 2 hours a week where you know everything is going to be alright and where you know God is near and has not left you.

“I think it’s time someone told you how important cell is from an attendant's point of view. I love you guys and treasure everyone...
you are all special in different ways.

“Michael let me work...
talk to you soon...
send my love round.
God bless you.”