Clarakings:
Immediately they left, mother heaved a sigh of relief and sat down on the pavement and Dera hurriedly went to lock the gate. I went in search of my Father behind the house carefully calling out his name softly. He emerged from behind the bathroom all clothed in mud. I quickly fixed water for him to wash up before he joined us in the house. Mother had stopped crying as Peter snored away in his arms.
"This is worse than I anticipated. Who would have thought that our peaceful village will turn to a war land. I just hope this fracas ends soon because feeding will soon be a problem". Mother said staring into nothingness. I brought out the mat from under the bed, carried Peter from mother's arms and laid him on the mat.
"I have been thinking of a way you and the children can leave this village at least for the time being".
"Pa Ibe said its not safe to leave the village yet and besides if we are leave, you must come with us because you are not fit for war yet".
"Don't worry about me, God will take care of me". We turned to look at Father simultaneously. His new found faith in the God he once insulted was a surprise to us. He seemed to notice and began to explain.
"While in the prison, some persons came to preach to us about the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Prior to that time, I had attempted to commit suicide twice but the warder intercepted me and I kept cursing this man in my mind. I never knew that God was using him to save my life because I lost so much blood in my last attempt before he saw me. After that, I lost all hopes of living and even dying too. Life was meaningless to me coupled with the ill treatment meted out to prisoners. Living was intolerable for me until a group of persons came to minister to us. I found hope in the words that the said to us and strength in the little that they taught us. I instantly gave my life to Christ and since then I have felt a lot better knowing that I have this very hope" Father stopped to wipe a tear that have escaped unto his cheek.
"I know that I have lived a terrible life before now but I am new man now and I promise to be a better husband and father." Father finished as tears flowed from my eyes. I had never seen father this emotional before. Mother turned her face to wall and I wondered at her reaction. Mother seemed to have other problems bothering her other than the family issues and I could not stop thinking what it might be.
"Only time will tell" I thought to myself as father signaled us for our first ever family night prayers.