***
I’m late. I hate being late. It means I have to walk in and take a seat after everyone is inside. I always feel so self conscious. I edge in and creep in the back and I can smell the fresh flowers brought by the women’s group Nanny is a part of. Worship has already started and it takes a while for my ears to adjust to the music blaring in the sumudral. The drums and lively music made me feel like dancing. If only I had the nerve. Everyone is standing up, singing, clapping and dancing.
Sister Joan’s eyes are closed screaming the hymn into the microphone as the worshipers sing along. The Morton sumudral is made of primarily mungu, with a few native Kuzimu worshipers. Father Lamont would often comment on the lack of males that make up the congregation.
O Rock divine, O Refuge dear,
A Shelter in the time of storm;
Be Thou our helper ever near,
A Shelter in the time of storm.
Sister Joan isn’t much of a singer but she had no idea because no one had the heart to tell her to her face. She is having such a great time singing that she ignores the subtle cues they give, that her time is up. Worship runs an extra fifteen minutes and the head deacon has to physically take the microphone away from her before she starts another song.
I look around to seek out Natasha’s expression. We would always give each other the eye and then fight to control our laughter, at moments like these. She is nowhere in sight. I would have to call her when I get home.
They do scripture reading, testimonies and collection before the Father Lamont is introduced. We stand for him. He begins his spirited sermon.
“Brother and sisters please be seated.” The congregation sits down. “You all look so beautiful today. Praise the Lord. My topic today is on ‘The narrow path of righteousness’. Now we all know the path to righteousness is narrow. Can I get a amen? God will lead us to this narrow path if we simply follow his commandments. In his infinite mercy he sends a leader, a Sheppard, with the light of understanding to lead us in the path. Why do we need a Sheppard today? Well the people are like sheep. The people have no sense of direction; they don’t know where to go. If the sheep are not surefooted then they just might end up in a ditch, or the hellfire. Family that’s the wrong path. How do we end up on the wrong path? Don’t act like you don’t know, c’mon. We’ve all been there. We ignore God’s word, violate our conscience and disobey God’s commandments. Brothers and sisters, this is the path to hell. We need to guard ourselves and our families from the fire. You are in the temple today so I know that’s what you’re trying to do. The fire is real. We must run to the Lord, in order to escape the fire! It’s coming. Very soon, the fire is coming…”
He goes on for another two hours, talking about ways to avoid the fire. Is this a coincidence? I have a dream about a fire, my mother has a similar dream about fire, and now the preacher is screaming fire. What on earth is happening to me? Is God trying to tell me something? Or maybe I should have taken my pills. Yes that’s it. I’m going crazy without my pills. I think I’ve learnt my lesson.
The congregation shouts “amen” in response to something the preacher says, interrupting my thoughts.
“Yes my beloved family, if anyone else would like to partake in this prayer and fast, you would need to stay back after the service to submit your consent form. Fasting helps to strengthen and purify both the body and spirit. Some of the members who participated said they actually talked with God. They say they actually felt God guiding them. I myself am better able to commune with the Lord. We should use it as a tool to resist temptation of the devil. We all need to avoid the fire…”
Before the preacher could properly finish his benediction, Sister Joan was on the pulpit getting ready to lead the congregation in the closing hymns.
Oh fire of God, come cleanse us pure
Make our faith more ever sure
Guide us with you Sheppard’s light
In this dark and dreadful night
Here we go with this talk of fire again. I decide not to make a big deal of this. There had to be a perfectly plausible and scientific explanation for all of this. In college I learnt about selective attention and the recency effect. I probably wouldn’t make a big deal out of this if I had that dream a few months ago. I would skip right over it. And it’s only because I had a scary dream about fire that I’m noticing it everywhere. It’s just like learning a new word and then seeing it pop up everywhere after that. This isn't the first coincidence I have encountered in my life so there is nothing to gain from worry. I should instead, enjoy this time with God and focus on the message our preacher gave.
This hymn is one of my favorites. I love the melody and I was enjoying it almost as much as Sister Joan.
I feel a tap on my shoulder. It’s Nanny. She looks to be in one of her no nonsense moods.
“I thought I told you to stay at home?!” Nanny is furious.
I had no response. I don’t understand why she is upset. I never thought I would see the day when she would scold me for attending a sumu gathering. If she would simply tell me the truth then I would have no need to be here today.
“You stubborn girl. The truth comes with a price. I hope you can pay it!” She shakes her head at me before stalking off.
Wait a minute; I didn’t say that out loud. It’s either I am going crazy or Nanny just read my mind. I think I’m going crazy.