"People come out oo, trouble has befallen my family again, I was doom to remain wretched for life". I shouted seeing my house in flames. This is the third house in one year that is burning into ashes right before me, and I cannot do anything about it. I do not know the cause of this misfortune, but all I know is, "The person behind this must pay for it".
It has only been two months ever since I left Cameroon to the abroad, and my life has been put out of order. For Fourteen years I had lived in Alabama working my soul out. I have worked my life out, and build a living for myself.
And, I thought it was time to visit home again. so packaging myself, I went home for the Christmas holidays. Oh Mamfe, I was happy to be in my motherland again. The town had quite changed, and yes, they had tarred the road as compared to the red mud that was scorched on the road all theough my life in this town. it was a good development, and I liked that.
Riding my latest Lamborghini, since that was the only available car for me to take home, I parked in front of our compound. "Mama, I am home" was the first words that escaped my lips as I opened the door and step out. My mother, who was of age, but still looked like she was in her sixteen, peeping from behind the curtain, was amazed to see her son back. She raised an alarm for neighbors to hear and come.
"My son, Besong, Besong, Besong... ehhhh, I said it that God will not abandon his children". It did not take long for people to start filing into the compound greeting me.
It was around 10 p.m that the Mamfe people stopped visiting, allowing me to sleep. My journey was a tedious one, and I had to rest, yet, my mom did not want to hear that I was tired. She insisted I eat something even though little. She offered me Fufu and of ono soup with bush meat, and I enjoyed it, just like in the old days.
The next morning, I gave my mother fifty thousand Francs to buy food and drinks to entertain the visitors that will come home today to welcome me.
"That is enough money my son, I think ten thousand francs will be enough" mom said handing back the rest to me.
"I insist mama, just use it eh, it is better we should have excess, than that some people do not have food", that was convincing enough.
I laid on the bed, and the aroma of eru was enough to wake me from sleep. I could perceive every ingredient that was used. Finally, when my food was served, I thought it was to serve prisoners who had starved for a year. the steaming hot oil that flowed on the bowl, covering the vegetable, just made it more attractive. The obstacles, a topic for another day. Beef, beef-hind, crayfish, smoked fish, snails, and bush meat.
Choiiii, the taste, made me almost want to remain in Cameroon again. the meal was just a personal relationship between the object and the receiver. " Yummy" I moaned mouth full of meat.
later that week, I bought bags of rice, soap, and salt, and distributed them to the people.
Everybody was happy, and so was I. A Christmas well spent.
when it was time for me to travel, I took my flight and came back to the state. Ever since I came in, nothing has been working well for me, nothing at all. I got a fired letter from my boss the moment I stepped foot in the company. He didn't give me a reason for doing so. Two weeks later, my house in Texas got burned, followed by another in Maryland. Presently, it is my current house, the one I am living in, that is burning down to dust.
I wept, wailed but all was in vain. When I had nothing left again, I gathered myself, received cash gifts from friends, and came back home. Back to my home. I had only a dress to show for, the one I was putting on. I became a laughing stock in Mamfe.
"See the man there? don't go beside him, his money was stained, that is why it couldn't last". These very people that enjoyed my money, were now mocking me.
Just like Job in the Bible, I drew closer to God, I accepted that these were my trial period, and God saw me through. There was a crusade that was hosted in Town on a Saturday, and I was invited by a neighbor. The preacher was a young man of about twenty-eight years. he looked too young but I got connected by faith. The next thing I realized was when he said " My brother wake up, God will restore you. Go home, read Joel 2:25, and meditate over it".
I was still confused, it was later on my way home when my neighbor explained to me that I manifested at the crusade ground, and I said so many things.
"The person that was pinning your success down was Mr. Etta, he said you did not visit him or give him gifts. They asked him to repent or face the wrath of God".
"This world is wicked ooo" that man is my paternal uncle. I did send him a package, worth one hundred thousand francs to his son. I only discovered later that the parcel did not reach him.
Before we arrived home, my mom greeted me with the news that Mr. Etta is dead.Hmmmm, I went to my room meditating on the scripture. Somedays later, his some was arrested when he went to steal in a man's shop.
Today, as I stand here now, God has restored me beyond imagination. I have Five duplex in Mamfe, I build a church, and I own my own business. I can travel in and out of the country with just a click of the hand.
My spiritual life is lifted up and I support those who need help.

The end
Purely Fictional.
Stop bearing wrong grudges against people.
© Ber NA Det