_Chapter 1_
"Lord, which one of these men is my husband?" Rebbeca asked herself, confusion lingering in her mind, not knowing how to go about it. Seeing many approaching her all at the same time. "Who should help me to unravel this situation?" She asked herself.
Rebecca was a young, energetic, beautiful girl to behold among her peers. At first glance, any man would notice the beauty radiating from her fair body. She is indeed the work of the masterpiece. One can confirm without hesitation that God took his time in making this wonderful creature.
One Sunday morning, Rebecca felt this strange urge to go to church. She tried to stay back, but the force compelling her was stronger than the one resisting.
She then decided to visit this local church in her area.
The church service was progressing well until she entered. There was a mixture of feelings among the congregants, as they watched this beautiful creature adored in modesty but expensive attires, walking gloriously being escorted by the usher to her seat.
There was this unified silence such that you can even hear the pin drop. No one could really tell the cause of the sudden silence.
This was her first time coming to this church after attending an open-air crusade some weeks ago. After some quick introduction, the worshippers realized that she had come to join the church.
After some time in the service, the master of ceremony gave an opportunity for those who had a testimony to share to come forward.
Few people gave their testimonies as usual, and two young men were the last to give out their testimonies.
On the remaining two, one young man, popularly known as brother Mike, was first to go on the stage to share his testimony. He was a very good young man, handsome, polite, and his physique was that of a strong man.
Ladies would come and show all their green lights just to win him, but he was a mountain too big to move and too tall to climb.
Mike took the microphone and cleared his throat as he was preparing to share his testimony. All the eyes were locked on him as their expectations were running thin, to see brother Mike standing in front of the church to testify, as they all knew him well, he was not a kind of a person who likes to testify.
"Halelua, ... Halelua church," Mike started while his eyes flashed to and fro in the church. His gaze finally landed on Rebecca, and for a moment they saw each other eye to eye, it was as if time itself has been suspended, words too deep to utter, it felt like their souls met somewhere before.
At that very moment, the church pastor, Pastor Benson, came on the stage and said, "Excuse me, church, it is not good for me to come on the stage while testimonies are ongoing. It is because of what I have received from the protocol department." He paused a little to allow the congregants to digest his seriousness on the matter. "You see," he continued, "The testimonies of these two young men are all interlinked, and if we allow them to testify, it will bring confusion to the church. I will however, meet them all, one on one after church service, to hear their testimonies." With that, he suspended the testimonies to allow other programs to continue.
But the people were confused all the more. People were murmuring everywhere in the auditorium. "What kind of testimonies are these two young men having that should warrant the pastor to intervene and offer himself available to meet them in a one on one session? This is strange." Some whispered. Yet, no one dared to raise a finger to oppose their leader, knowing very well that he was a man of wisdom and had his reasons for doing so.
In the afternoon, Pastor Benson was sitting in his office, and the first testifier entered to give a detailed account of his testimony.
"Brother Mike," Pastor Ben started, "please have a seat. Be open with me and tell me in detail about your testimony."
Mike began to narrate his testimony and said, " Thank you, Pastor, for this opportunity to be in your office to share my testimony. It all started when I joined this church. I came here because I was advised that if ever I want to marry a good wife, I must not look anywhere outside the church.
So, at first, I came with the mind that I would find someone suitable for me. However, when I started attending the church and youth programs, hearing all the teachings that you taught us, I was not ready to approach any lady now." The pastor listened attentively and wondered within himself as to what could be the testimony from this young man.
"There was a time you taught us that sometimes the woman whom God has destined us to marry is outside of the church and maybe is not even praying. With that thought in mind, I began to pray that God should help me and bring that woman whom I will love wholly, because I saw that in the church, there is no one whom I love," Mike continued.
"So, has God brought someone whom you love to marry?" Pastor Ben cut in. "Yes!" Mike answered without hesitation. "And who is this lady you are referring to?" the pastor probed.
Mike took a deep breath and said in a low voice, just above a Whisper, "it is sister Rebbeca the newcomer."
Pastor Ben studied Mike for a while and asked him yet another question, "And how do you know that her coming here is because God want you to marry her?" And have you approached her already? The pastor's tone was becoming ice cold.
"No, not yet, sir, the first time I saw her was that day when we had an open-air crusade, and from that day, I have been praying to God for her to come and join us as a sign that she is the woman that I will marry." The pastor breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that there was still an opportunity to salvage the situation.
"So Rebecca has joined the church because you prayed that she should join, and you think God has answered your prayer, if I am correct?" Pastor Benson asked intently. "Yes, sir," Mike answered.
Taking the opportunity, Pastor Ben said in a calm but with a dismissive voice, "Brother Mike, let me hear the other testifier, then I will call you back shortly.
A while later, the second testifier entered Pastor Ben's office.