Monday, June 1, 2009

Arranged.....well ahead of time.

The day was turning out to be one of those bad days. The clouds were darkening, gathering enough momentum for a heavy down pour.
Why won't any car stop for me? I'd been standing at that junction for close to 20 minutes - seemed more like one hour - and my furious flagging had yet to catch the attention of any benevolent driver.

I had hardly caught a shut eye while riding in that rickety coaster bus all the way from Lagos to Abuja the night before.
The bus was cramped and I was sandwiched between two chunky guys each one attempting to strike a conversation with me. They weren't succeeding and worse still they couldn't take a hint and shush it!

That road trip qualifies as the worst I've ever had. Somewhere around Kogi state at about 4am there were shouts of "Armed robbers! Armed robbers!!" Our driver did a quick U-turn and we were heading right back the way we came from. I was so scared!
Eventually, we made it to Abuja in one piece. I barely caught my friend on her way out and she gave me just enough time to drop my stuff and take a quick shower before we had to leave again.

I was headed back to Kogi state. Ajaokuta Steel Company to be precise. I had a 9 o'clock appointment with one Mr Saheed there and it was already 7am. I was already late. The trip to Lokoja was going to take 3 hours and I had just 2hrs to spare. Things were already beginning to look bad.

I made it safely to Ajaokuta town but my challenge at that time was how to get from the junction of the main gate to the office complex. Taxis and okadas were stopped at the gate. You could only get to the office complex by the "city train" - the company staff bus or by private vehicle. The city train only worked at specific hours owing to the fact that staff of the steel complex worked several shifts.
I had just about given up when an okada stopped to ask if I wanted to get to the complex. I paused only long enough to verify that he was actually a private okada owner and I hurriedly got on it before someone else beat me to it.
I was so relieved to finally be on my way that it was a rude shock to feel a drop of rain on my arm. "Aw no! Not now!" I looked up pleading with the rain clouds to just go away, I almost sang that rain song we used to sing as children "...Rain, rain go away, come again another day...".
It didn't work.
The heavens opened up in defiance of my plea. I and the okada rider were drenched. It couldn't be helped as there was no shelter between the main gate and the security outpost at the complex.
I got off the okada and tried to squeeze out the edges of my skirt. It didn't make any difference. The security men pitied me and asked me to come into their office to wait out the rain and probably dry off a bit.
I was grateful but that didn't take the scowl off my face.
Today of all days!!

The rain slowed to a drizzle and I made my way into the main building all the while conscious of my wet dress. No one seemed to mind though. The rain was enough excuse for anyone to come into the building soaking wet if they wanted to.
I was relieved to find Mr. Saheed in his office. It turned out that he didn't remember the exact time we'd fixed for the appointment and he even apologized that I was beaten by the rain.
Strangely, that made feel better.
Better that is, until he broke the news to me.
"I'm sorry Enkay, but we cannot confirm your placement here until you prove to us that you have a place to stay"

"But I was of the impression that the company provided accomodation..."

"Yes that was several years ago. We stopped when we discovered that most of the industrial training students treated our facilities poorly and even destroyed some of our property..."

No amount of pleading could prove to Mr. Saheed that I was an Industrial attachment student with a difference.
I picked up my bag and walked out of his office. Tears threatened to spill from my eyes but I fought them back. Eventually, I just let them pour.

So my trip was just a waste of precious time? I had taken that night bus the previous day because I had felt that that was the fastest way to get here before the deadline.
I made my way back to the security outpost. I was a familiar face and the security men did not bother me as I pulled out a chair. The rain had started again. I was in no particular hurry anyway, so I decided to wait it out.

I held the letter in my hand. The letter that offered me a place in the steel complex as an industrial attache. If I had been accepted, I wouldn't have been holding that letter.

My mind went back to how I even came to have that letter in the first place. I'd found out that one of my professors in school was on the board of Directors of the Steel Company. I'd gone to his office feeling really small as I asked him if there was anything he could do to help me get a placement at the company. He told me he was due to go on his sabbatical in a few weeks and that he wasn't sure he'd be having anything to do with the company for the period he'd be out of the country. He ended by saying he'd see what he could do. That didn't offer me much hope.

He left and I didn't hear anything about the issue until four months later when my HOD informed me that I had a letter to pick up at the Department office. The professor had done more than he promised. He'd delivered my IT placement to me on a platter of gold.

What was I to do now? Go back home and wait? Wait for what?
My thoughts were interrupted by a ruckus outside. I looked up and there were teenagers everywhere. Even though they weren't wearing any school uniforms, I got the impression they were students from a nearby school. I ignored them because frankly, a bunch of noisy kids was the least of my problems.

At that time, a bald headed guy walked into the room. I gave him a cursory glance and returned my gaze to the letter in my hands.

"Ahn, ahn, why the sad look? Was today's paper tough?"

I looked up with a question mark on my face.

"Are you talking to me?"
"Yes now. Was the paper tough?"
"Paper? Tough?"
He laughed and the expression on his face was like "Duh?"
"Are you not one the GCE students?"
"Me? GCE?"
This guy was obviously not a serious person. I silently hissed and turned to look out the window willing the 'gorimapa' guy to just disappear from my side. I had no time for such nonsense.

"Ah! Sorry o! I thought you were one of those students." The guy was far from disappearing.

"Really. So I look like a GCE candidate to you abi?"

He only smiled. That smile accentuated a scar on his face that I hadn't noticed before. I was curious but I wasn't going to ask.

"My name is Segun and I work here" He offered me his hand.
I could have ignored him but it struck me that this guy just might be able to help me. I took his hand and shook it slightly and introduced myself.

"Enkay. I'm an IT student. Well not really. I came to confirm my placement here..." I handed him the letter and continued. "...but the guy said he could not confirm me until I had proof of an accommodation."

He handed me back the letter with a look on his face as though he were about to reprimand me for some wrong doing.

"So that's why you were crying?" I didn't think that my face still bore traces of the tears I'd cried earlier. He continued, "Don't you know that when you get to a place where you know nobody, you should first ask for the corpers?"

I was about to scoff at his statement when he grabbed my hand and pulled me up from the chair.
"Oya go upstairs now and tell Mr Saheed that you would come with proof of accommodation tomorrow morning. Drop your letter with him and tell him you would be back by 8am sharp"

I looked into his face to see if he was actually serious but I didn't have the time to ask him. He was already ushering me outside. "Hurry up! I'll be waiting for you when you get back".
I couldn't smile. It was all happening so fast. I hurried up to the lobby and I looked back one more time at the security outpost just to be sure. Sure enough, Segun was still at the door waving me in from that distance.

I found Mr. Saheed who agreed to take the letter from me but warned that it would not be signed until I returned with my proof. I agreed and rushed back downstairs somehow harboring fears that Segun might have disappeared.

He was still there. I couldn't help but smile at him in relief. He smiled back. There was that scar again.
I walked out of the complex with him and he handed me a note to one Fatima. He put me in a taxi and gave the driver directions.
He said he'd see me later that evening but that I shouldn't worry. Fatima would take good care of me.

The taxi dropped me off and I walked down a well-worn path to an area occupied by several portakabins. There must have been like twenty of them arranged in no particular order. There was still a slight drizzle and not a soul was in sight.

I pondered my predicament. Were all the portakabins occupied? Was I to go knocking on every door asking for Fatima? If so, where do I start?
I was still standing at the spot where I'd stopped to think when a lady came out of one of the cabins towards my immediate left. It was obvious she hadn't seen me as I was not in her line of vision. She had a bucket with her from which she threw out some water onto the front lawn.

I knew that if I didn't make my move then, she'd go back inside and I'd have to go knocking.

"Excuse me!" I called as I hurried towards her.
She had a startled look on her face which disappeared when she saw it was just me. No danger here.
She held the bucket by the handle and let it hang by her side and turned to face me as she watched me approach.

"Please I'm here to see Fatima" I noticed that the lady had a pleasant face which gave nothing away when she replied.

"Who's looking for her?"

"Er..Segun asked me to give her a note" I said as I fumbled with my handbag to produce the said note.
She reached out her free hand to collect the note from me and I hesitated for a fraction of a second before handing it to her.
She read the note and without a word motioned for me to follow her inside.

I thought that was strange but I followed her anyway.

Her room was cosy and I was glad to finally be able to sit down and relax. Fatima didn't say much but she was a wonderful hostess. She filled my tummy and and offered me a space on her bed to catch some sleep.

Later that evening, Segun arrived with another guy and a signed letter authorizing me to stay in one of the portacabins in the back and he brought me the keys to prove it too!

My heart was so full. I had no words to express my gratitude.

Everything happened real quick after that. I had more than enough proof for Mr. Saheed the next day and my letter was signed. I returned to Abuja to get my stuff and moved into my own room.
From then on, I became a part of this community of Youth Corpers. They included me in almost all of their activities and I soon began to see myself as one of them.

I found out later that the room I was given belonged to one of them who had an uncle working at the complex. He preferred to live with his uncle hence the free space. No one asked me for a dime. It was all free!

When I fell ill, they all rallied round me and the doctor corpers got me free treatment at the hospital. Fatima cooked for me and made me feel comfortable all through. She even made me stay in her room throughout the ordeal. When I got better, she told me I could stay on if I wanted. I wanted, so I did! We became fast friends.

Segun told me that all the corpers did PP (Private Practice) and if I wanted, he could get me a part-time job. He came through once again and I found myself earning some extra bucks effortlessly!

When it was time for the NCCF Rural Rugged, I volunteered my services. The expedition was to go to a village not too far from Ajaokuta but it was accross a river, and we were to take the gospel to the people as well as render humanitarian services. Those 3 days among the villagers were simply awesome. We brought smiles on their faces and the trip was well worth it, mosquitoes and all.

6 months passed by so fast. Where did all the time go?
Unbeknownst to me, the corpers organized a surprise send off party for me. I was so thrilled that I cried. The tears just kept coming and I didn't bother wiping them off. I hugged all my friends one after the other knowing that I may never see them again. I had a basketful of gifts!

It was on the ride back home that it occurred to me that those six months didn't happen by chance.
I counted off on my fingers one experience after the other. At every impossible turn, there was a solution.
Getting the letter, meeting Segun, the free room, the free medical care, the extra bucks (I wasn't getting a dime from the company the whole time), my new found friends, the opportunity to volunteer and even the opportunity to work at the complex!(I was the only one in my entire class to get a first hand experience of the workings of the steel complex).

No, none of these happened by chance. it was all arranged just for me, well ahead of time.

Up till now, those six months stand out as one of the most memorable periods of my life.
Every time I face a tough period, I remember those six months and I'm comforted, knowing that I'm simply part of the bigger picture. A work in progress while my heavenly Father puts all the pieces together.

I am not a child of Chance. I am a child of Destiny. Divine Destiny!

PS: I never got to ask Segun about that scar. I'm still curious! lol!


33 comments:

  1. wow ,wow and wow

    yes i believe you. It didn't happen by chance. You are just a lucky child, a child of destiny.

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  2. God always sends an angel, even when our sight is blurred by our tears, thers's an angel reaching out. In this post Segun can be called the angel right?

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  3. you know it is always good to look back in our lives at those moments, when we know it had to be God.Destiny altering moments like been at the right place at the right time, new opportunities, new doors opening God on skin moments. I have also experienced one of those supernatural favor myself when God sends an angel to me, to help me out in a difficult situation. I'm very happy for u. Don't forget what God did then, it helps u stay positive and hopeful.

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  4. awesome...another testimony to God's faithfulness, and ever present help...

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  5. God has a divine plan for us. he wants us to exhaust all other options and come to him as our only hope! Then and only Then can we truly appreciate his works in our lives....

    Your story rekindles that hope in the lives of many! we shld hold steadfast to the promises of the Lord!

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  6. Hmm, I read this from beginning to end and it was a great reminder of the possibilities...

    Thanks so much for sharing!

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  7. I read this and it brought tears to my eyes...
    Awesome testimony of God's faithfulness...
    It is amazing how God sorts us out at every crossroad in our lives...
    Indeed only a fool will say there's no God!!!

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  8. @ BSNC - Yeah! The result of God's blessings.

    @ Downtheaisle - He definitely was the angel I desperately needed.

    @ Charity - I won't forget dear. I need the reminder for future challenges and triumphs. Thanks!

    @ Justdoyin - yes it is. He is ever faithful.

    @ Chayoma - When it is only God we have, then He is more than enough.

    @ Solomonsydelle - You're welcome dear!

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  9. Enkay, thanks for sharing this.
    You reminded me that even when we do not see it, God is busy working all things out for our good.

    I am amazed at how you got that accommodation prove and how Segun came out of no where! Plus the rain that drenched you was arranged, if not for the rain, you would not be sitting at the security post (waiting for the drain to stop), and Segun would not have met you there.

    Interesting....God works everything out for our good!
    I am thinking about my life, reminding myself of the times God has always shown up for me!

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  10. wow...this is really wow....
    i was goin to say thesame thing lofunke said about the rain...what a faithful father we have..

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  11. ah ahn! so u r a child of destiny too?? dat makes us Sister :-)'
    rily njoyed reading dis post'


    take kia

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  12. wow...there's no end to His mercies. Something else i've come to learn is that we need to saty open to His acts. sometimes we're so suspiscious and paranoid in our thinkin that we lose sight of the blessing that God is bringing our way. Truth is when God's got your back...you can't fall.

    Now...your story brings memories...i was actually born, bred and buttered in Ajaokuta, though i spend most of my time in Lagos now, its still home to me and so i could easily picture the places you talked about.And "corpers lodger"..?hmm...i guess God made sure you didn't leave the same way you came irrespective of the finanial issues in that place...God bless

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  13. Wow!!!

    He is our present help in time of trouble.
    He is our assurance of a bright tomorrow.

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  14. geez!God is good!!!

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  15. What a beautiful story, and a great reminder. God is real...all of this is not by chance!

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  16. U are blessed. Anyone who believes in chance will have to think again when they read this. Isnt it written that God will rally up people who dont even know us, yet who will fight on our behalf? You have lived that promise. May you have more reasons to count your blessings, and share your testimony. PS - Very very well written too, was a very easy and clean read.

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  17. PS - I was reading and I was like hm, maybe Segun is the guy she will fall in love with. Surprise surprise. No ulterior motives. Just God moving clouds out of the way for you. Talk about sending rain, drenching u in his blessings.

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  18. How did I miss this? I haven't seen this until now. I have to go home now but I will be sure to come and read the rest and comment.

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  19. No limit - Yes dear. Fools are just that. Fools.
    God is indeed alive and well!

    Olufunke - True. It was the rain that ushered in more blessings.

    Simeone - Yes O! Faithful to the end! How u dey?

    LG - Madam runaway! We don be sistaz tey-tey!

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  20. My heart - Really! I enjoyed Ajaokuta to no end. Just wish things would pick up again there soon.

    Rethots - Amen there bro! You seem to have taken a blogging break aye?

    Pink Satin - All the time dearie. ALL THE TIME!!

    GNG - Thanks dear! May we always hold this reminder close.

    Omo Oba - Thanks for the compliment.
    Ha! I guess it was the other way round. Segun started having feelings for me which I could not reciprocate. I felt bad but I believed his work was done and I'll always be grateful that I met him when I did. lol!

    Adaeze - Okay gal! Be right here when you get back!

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  21. Talk of something being divinely ordained! an amazing testimony of God coming through!
    btw do you have Segun's contact? We should ask him o! lol

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  22. This is a very beautiful piece and it's real life. I wish I was also in that picture sharing all that love and community feeling.

    I like community feeling, that kindred spirit.

    God is faithful to send us help when we least expect.

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  23. Thank you for your story. It's beautiful to be reminded about when things go right for us, not just when they go wrong.

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  24. Fantastic Enkay,im so sorry i've been AWOL. I think i remember this period. God is a perfect planner, He plans our steps even before we get on the scene.

    Beautful & inspiring story indeed.

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  25. Awww this was a triumphant story.

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  26. Wow! That was definitely God's favor working in your life and Segun was an angel from God. Some might call it luck, but I call it blessings. Such an inspiring and encouraging story.

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  27. Hi Enkay!
    I guess you summed it up so well "arranged ... well ahead of time".
    When everything flows beautifully together like this we call it...GRACE. May the hands of the Arranger continue to grace even your shadow.
    Thanks for visiting my blog.
    Be blessed, beautiful spirit!

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  28. So true; nothing happens to Gods children by chance, we are all part of his big picture.

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  29. WF - A great testimony indeed. Ha! Segun Ke? That one don go tey-tey!

    30+ - Thanks dear. God's faithfulness is unending.

    caramelD - Yes dear and even when they do go wrong. there's always a way out.

    Beulah - Madam AWOL. Welcome back!

    Stand tall - Thanks a lot!

    OM - Not luck at all dearie. Blessing. pure and simple!

    Doll - Thanks dear!

    Poskyere - Thanks! GRACE it is indeed. No hassles included.

    O'Dee - Sometimes, the big picture is all we need to see to know it's going to be okay.

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  30. wow.
    God really is in control uh?

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Hey! Thanks for coming by my blog today and I am so glad you decided to drop me a few lines!