The Priest

Rev. Luke had been the head priest of Grace Cathedral for five years. He was the envy of many priests of Crosslake Province. Rev. Luke lives in the cathedral with his wife, Jane and daughter, Lane. Rev. Luke is a man who believed on the principles of his faith, he is a good man many would say.

 After Grace Cathedral’s first Sunday of the month community outreach contribution, the church’s financial secretary gathered and documented the money. She left with the money after reporting to Rev. Luke. At about 6pm in the evening, 7-men robbery gang came requesting for the money. They brought Rev. Luke, Jane and Lane to their sitting room threatening to kill Jane and Lane, pointing gun at them if Rev. Luke did not provide the money. Rev. Luke fearfully explained to them that the money is not with them but they could not believe him. As one of them wanted to intensify the threat not knowing he loaded the gun, mistakenly pulled the trigger. Before Rev. Luke could shout out in tears, he was wetted with the blood of his wife and daughter. The robbers left immediately after a quick argument. In less than 20minutes, as policemen were evacuating the bodies of Jane and Lane they received a report that the robbers were involved in ghastly car crash as they were escaping and are all confirmed dead. Still in agony, the death of the robbers could not console him (Rev. Luke).

Left alone after his wife and daughters burial, Rev. Luke kept thinking what he did wrong to deserve that which came upon him. The same thought was in the mind of each member of Grace Cathedral. Yet to receive the answer he much waited for, he perceived in his spirit that God is taking him out of Grace Cathedral. In a week time a letter came from the Bishop. When he opened it, it was a transfer letter to Faith House situated in the ghetto area of Windvane settlement.

Rev. Luke was ready to leave, he greeted the members of Grace Cathedral, gave them a word of comfort as they were weeping and left for Faith House.

Getting to Faith House, Rev. Luke was welcomed by the entire members of Faith House. Due to their little numbers and their age range (in their fifties and above), he thought they were members of the church committee. He was shocked when he asked for the members of the church and they responded that they are the one, just few of them. That same day in the evening a group of guys came and warned him to stay away from their crib if not he would experience the same as the last priest of Faith House.

The next day, one among the women that welcomed him (Lady Maggy) came with a young woman (Rosey) and her sick daughter (Kimberly). The young girl had been with cancer since her first year birthday and needed money for her chemotherapy. Rev. Luke offered them help as much as he could and prayed for the young girl. Rev. Luke never stopped talking to God concerning that community (Windvane). In three days time as he was running his usual community evangelical outreach, he saw lady Maggy and Rosey as they were dropped by a cab. Rev. Luke went forth to ask of Kimberly, in tears they told him that she died the night before that day. Rev. Luke consoled and prayed with them. Rosey decided to stay with Lady Maggy (who is her mother) after she was linked to a job in a nearby factory. So Rosey and Lady Maggy would attend the entire church programme together.

As Rev. Luke continued his outreach, Faith House received more church members and converts who are mostly young men and ladies. He grew the youth ministry, youth choir and built a library for the community in the church premises. These institutions helped to groom the youths into becoming better individuals. Most of them were admitted into college while some into the career of their choice, yet he was not satisfied with his achievements. Jago, the leader of the same group of guys that warned him about their crib was jailed because of a drug case. When Rev. Luke heard it, he saw that as an opportunity to reach out to him. When he got there the first time, he was scared the Jago would not agree to see him but the contrary was the case. Jago was happy someone came to see him but was shocked when it was someone he least expected. Jago narrated to Rev. Luke how his gang betrayed him and handed him over to the police of Windvane. From the constant visit of Rev. Luke he became a changed man. One day a visitor came to visit Rev. Luke and it was Jago, Rev. Luke was surprise to see him. Jago told him that in the same morning he was pardoned and released. Jago also requested him to address him as Jasmine his real name and became full member of Faith House.

Meanwhile Rev. Luke and Rosey got along and agreed to marry, this was much easy for Rosey as the father of Kimberly never married her before abandoning her. They wedded in church and in a year time she gave birth to a son who was named Luke Junior. Faith House grew even larger that they built a new large Church auditorium for their worship.

By J_amaze