EPISODE 7

What I had experienced that morning, made me realise there was hope for Benjamin and I had to find a way of helping him.

I finalised taking my long bath and changed my clothes, this time wearing a chitenge lest I entice my Benjamin again.

I sat in front of the TV and I was almost changing from ZNBC to watch some other channel when something caught my attention.

” There will be 21 days of prayer and deliverance at Chelstone Parish. Come and experience a touch of God’s anointing with father Lumba” came the advert and I felt great.

” This is it! ” I whispered loudly.

” Yes Yes! God forgive me for my sins and please make this happen” I prayed loudly as I took down the line on the screen.

Later that day, I called the priest and partly explained my situation to him. He asked me to go and see him the following day after mass at the Parish.

” Thank you so much Father” , I told him before hanging up.

The following morning I dressed up in a long skirt and decent blouse and covered my kink hair in black silk material, liking the decent but beautiful look it gave me.

After Mass which I enjoyed so much as it was about giving oneself to love others without condition like God loves us.

” So young lady, Tell me everything about this man you told me about yesterday” Father Lumba asked me with a smiling face.

I was quiet for a second not knowing where to begin from. ” lt’s alright, you can tell me everything and remember only God will answer your prayers am only here to help guide you through” he smiled

I told him everything from the funeral, to the kidnap and everything else in between. For a second I thought the man was thinking I was crazy.

” You are an exceptional woman, I don’t know how to describe you. I can’t seem to understand what really drives you to go this far for a man you hardly know” he sighed seriously.

” You have a big heart and for that I am certain God will see you through” he added

” Amen father” I responded.

” Now tell me, what happens if this man is prayed for and delivered then he remembers who he is and leaves you?” He asked a question I had never thought of before and it scared me. For a moment I thought maybe having him the way he was, paid off but I then thought how selfish I would be if I allowed such thoughts.

” All am concerned about is that he gets delivered and healed Father, if he will leave me then I guess it was meant to be that way” I sighed controlling the tears that threatened to spill.

The priest prayed for me and I cried through the prayer. I felt relieved when he was done and he asked for me to bring Benjamin over the following day for prayers assuring me there is nothing impossible with God.

He told me most of the mental sicknesses were spiritual and that God can change Benjamin’s story.

I got home that afternoon feeling optimistic. After I unlocked the door, I found Benjamin seated murmuring something to himself. I sat next to him and he looked at me with lustful eyes I knew what happened the other day got him to think he could get intimate with me whenever.

” No Benjamin not today that was a mistake and we should never do that again, at least until you are healed, Okey?” I looked at his face.

I couldn’t take the risk of him coming on me again especially after just confessing my sins, so I added valium to his food. He slept just after eating.

” Am not coming for work Kegan, tell the manager for me tommorow. Something came up and I can’t work. ” I asked Kegan for a favour.

” Whatever it is I hope soon it comes to an end cause you are always busy with whatever it is and am getting fade up of you standing all my efforts to have some time out.” He complained.

” I know my friend and am sorry. But I know one day I will tell you what has been going on. Only that I can’t at this point”

” Sure whatever you say Jen just take care of yourself ” he added before hanging up.

As I slept I started having creepy dreams of some people wanting to murder Me and Benjamin. The sight of strange looking people in my dreams scared me. They were chasing us and I stood between them and Benjamin who was shaking scared.

They scolded me for trying to stand in their way and I was certain they will chop me to pieces with a machete the woman who came on me had, but thank God I woke up before that happened.

I looked at my phone panting and sweating. The dream scared me and I had no other thought but call the priest. I doubted he would answer at that hour, but to my surprise he picked the call almost immediately telling me I was having an attack even before I could explain to him what I had dreamt.

” How did you know Father? ” I asked

” Don’t worry my child. Just bring Benjamin tommorow, the enemy can not succeed. He knows he is lossing. Those are just the kicks of a dying horse” he encouraged and prayed for me.

I felt calmer and went back to sleep after checking on Benjamin who was fast asleep.

” Let this be over my God” I whispered silently in my bed.
……….

*Fast forward*

I was standing my hands raised up high. It had been 7 days of attending prayer sessions with Benjamin, the priest had told me I had to continue taking him every afternoon and as I did, my faith grew.

I was feeling myself becoming so spiritual, my prayers became more powerful. I even took the advice of fasting on behalf of Benjamin as he could not do it himself. The first days were tough, but with time I started feeling great.

I would woke up in the night to pray as I continuously had bad dreams especially where the same women I didn’t know kept on haunting me and wanting to kill me.

One man who was always present whenever the priest was praying for Benjamin, told me he had seen that Benjamin’s situation was caused by a certain woman but he was not sure of her relationship to him.

” Have faith my sister and all shall be well, by the end of this seven days, you shall testify to the goodness of God” he strengthened me.

” I know for sure he will be okey” I had responded feeling my faith.

Friday came and I took time bathing Benjamin like I always did. I pulled a pair of brown soft jeans, a white vest and a black short sleeved shirt from the closet and asked him to dress up as I waited.

I put some black casual shoes on his feet, satisfied he looked good, I sprayed him some perfume. I was trusting God that the seventh day was a day he was going to deliver Benjamin, so I needed him to woke up and see himself looking normal and good.

” Today you will be okey, I don’t know what will happen next after you regain your consciousness, but whatever will happen I will be able to live with myself knowing I played a great role in ensuring you got better.” I whispered to him.

He was awkwardly quiet that day. He didn’t even do his usual murmuring and smiling . As I drove to Chelstone, I let Ephraim’s song “Kafiwe fi Jericho!” play on repeat as l kept praying inside my heart. Something felt so right my spirit was so happy.

Minutes later, Benjamin was placed in the middle, this time we were joined by another man and woman who I was told were prayer warriors from the Charismatic Renewal Movement.

The priest asked us all to hold hands surrounding Benjamin, as we started singing praise and worship songs. The shouting and praying started and I joined in crying and praying to my God to hear us.

Tongues and calling on the fire of God went on as the prayers got deeper. The priest was leading the prayer lines with all of us agreeing and praying violently I could feel the change in the atmosphere.

” Jennifer! ” the priest called my name.

” Do you believe in the Lord Almight!”

” Yes I believe ” I responded without doubt.

” Do you believe that God the father, the son and Holy spirit has the power to set this man you brought here free?” He asked again and I shouted with faith.

” Yes father, I believe!” Tears ran down my face as I answered. Not that I was feeling any pain but the power surrounding us felt so strong, it made my heart ach with extreme joy.

” Come kneel besides Benjamin and lay your hands on him. Tell God what you want him to do to this man and it shall be according to your faith” the Priest told me.

Slowly I knelt besides Benjamin, taking a closer look at his face as tears ran down my face. I opened my mouth to pray.

” My God, my father, hear me all my redeemer, I don’t know who this man really is and I don’t even know why you allowed that I took him in with me. I have not done the right things most of the times in my life but I know and am sure of one thing, you God are the only way and the only true salvation that I have. Whatever it is that Benjamin had done to get to this condition, whatever unfairness that might have been done to get him like this, today in the name of Jesus, I pray you set him free. I call out to your holy spirit to release your anointing power upon his body, soul and mind, that he may be set free.! Free him almighty God and let your name be exalted !” I went on shouting and crying as my hands trembled holding Benjamin.

I can’t recall anything else that l said in my prayers. But as everyone shouted and prayed, Benjamin let go of my hand pushing me away violently like my hands were burning him.

The priest came to my aid spraying some anointing oil on him and he fall down shaking viciously his mouth foaming with black liquids.

” Pray on people! ” the priest shouted

” lt is the the Lord’s time and his will shall prevail in the life of this young man today in Jesus’ name! ” He added continuously praying and casting out the demons as he went on spraying the oil on him .

After some minutes Benjamin fall on his face silent.

” ls he okey?” I stepped forward trying to hold him up.

” lt is done my child” the priest smiled at me and I smiled widely raising my hand and praising God.

” Benjamin!” I called him shaking him.

He sat up looking confused but normal. That dull look on his face was gone and he looked okey. We all watched him as he stood up straight looking around the room and taking his time staring at each of the people in the room.

He moved his eyes towards me as I stood closer to him. ” Benjamin” I called him again trying to see if he could remember me.

” Who are you people? And where am I?” He responded and I jumped up shouting in joy.

” Oh my God you are okey!” I exclaimed hugging him close but I felt his hands push me away.

” Who are you?” He asked again this time he was directing his question on me. ” Am am…. um” I stammered not knowing what to say.

” She’s the woman God has used to bring healing to your life Benjamin” the priest answered coming to my aid.

He asked everyone to leave and asked us to sit down as he let me explain what happened to Benjamin.

” What? You mean I was mad? Like a mad man picking food from the rubbish pits and walking around in dirty clothes?” He asked his face in pure shock.

” Something like that, though you mostly stayed in funeral homes in Kabwe” I responded.

” Do you remember who you are? Or anything that happened when you were in that state ?” The priest asked him.

” Yes father, my name is Benjamin Kamanga, am working as the CEO of BK motor and equipment suppliers, my family company in Kabwe. My family is in Lusaka I visit them every weekend. I went there last weekend. ” He explained clearly.

” Family?” I asked my heart panicking.

” Yes, l have a wife with a one year old son in Lusaka” he responded and I felt my knees go weak.

Father, held my hand assuredly. ” it’s Okey” he whispered.

WATCHOUT FOR EPISODE 8
© Testimony