MENDED WINGS... episode 1

Ella Jacobs hurried into the almost-filled church, her eyes scanning for an empty seat. An usher smiled at her and pointed her to another usher ahead, who directed her to one. She walked briskly, her face down, feeling as though all eyes were on her despite the fact that majority of the eyes there were closed. She dropped her bag on the chair and shut her eyes in prayer. Shortly after, on the pastor’s order, she opened her eyes and turned to her left. She froze and stared at the figure facing her. The sound from the speakers around suddenly fainted. The voices of people became distant. And the intermittent shout of the pastor on the altar fell to the background. Her mind must be playing tricks on her, she thought.

The figure was too good to be real. A tall man, about 6’ 2”, with thin musculature that betrayed his masculinity but graced his appearance, and a well cut out face that displayed the grace with which God creates. He looked nothing less than a model in a fashion magazine. His clean cut disclosed a skilled barber did it recently. His heart-shape face, brown eyes with thick eyebrows hanging protectively over them like knights, and nose like a small almond fruit, were like never she had seen. He had a one-sided dimple that branded his smile in a stylish way. Judging by his set of teeth, he could be taken for a dentist or an ambassador for a brand of toothpaste. They were like sparkling gems, and his lips were liberal to expose them at every smile. The branded navy blue suit he was wearing, which had a tag showing the logo of the church on its lapel, exaggerated his spotlessly fair complexion. Ella’s eyelids fluttered. To have gotten that special tag, he couldn’t be but a ranked member of the church. But what was he doing amidst the congregation? He should have sat on the altar.

Her eyes fell on his trousers. He must have aggressively ironed it for traveller’s creases to be so evident on it, she thought. His shoes were simple, but not like his brothers’. Even her dad, who was considered the richest in his family, in all his glory couldn’t have afforded the shoes. Her stomach rumbled. What time didn’t permit her to do was drool.

“Hello, did you get the prayer point?” he said, smiling.

 She shivered. His voice nailed it. It must have been an angel’s in disguise. How could a man have such a pleasant voice? “U-uh yes, I did,” she said. The environment, which had been somewhat distant few minutes ago, came alive again and she realized she had been lost in admiration of her neighbour, which the pastor had instructed her to hold and pray with. She held his hands, closed her eyes, and opened her mouth but words stuck to her throat. His hands were warm, suddenly making her realize hers were cold. She forced her mind off him but all she could do was hit her lips against each other continuously and nod her head. Her mind was too choked to know what to pray for.

“In Jesus mighty name we have prayed,” the pastor said from the altar.

“Amen,” the congregation chorused. She dropped his hands reluctantly and took her seat. How had she not noticed him? Perhaps because she had been late for church and prayer had started before she rushed into the church, hurriedly looking for a place to seat. She had never seen him before. Was he a first-timer? He couldn’t have been, with that tag on his lapel. There was definitely more to it. She kept pondering on her new fascination until sound of applause interrupted her thoughts and she unanimously joined the congregation in clapping.

“Glory to God, glory to God. Our God is good!” a man on the altar said, smiling.

“All the time,” the congregation chorused.

“It’s been a wonderful time in God’s presence. I will like to invite our brother. He’s a lover of God, a worshipper, a teacher of the word, and he’s a vibrant youth. Let’s clap for the Lord as I call on Brother Joel Mason for his ministration,” he said and dropped the microphone as sound of applause filled the building. Ella’s jaw dropped as the man who was seated beside her rose up and walked to the altar. She fixed her gaze on him as he left. She was right. She knew there was something about him she couldn’t lay her hands on. But why didn’t he sit on the altar? How could a pastor be that handsome? She just couldn’t understand.

His voice came through the microphone, returning her attention to church. “Glory to God, who was, is, and is to come. Thank you everyone, I’m humbled to be in your midst, and it’s a privilege to stand before you people of God...”

Her mind trailed. His voice is so heavenly. And the way he seasoned each sentence with smiles gave her goose bumps. His composure, cadence, and fluidity of words were like she had never seen or heard. Where was he from? He definitely was not a member of her parish. Probably he had joined the parish when she travelled. That couldn’t be it. She was away for just three weeks. He had to be a member of another parish. She kept wondering until he started to sing. She couldn’t believe her ears. If singing were the criterion by which God chose favourites, this man’s seat would have been secured in heaven next to God already. By the time the fourth worship song was ending, many people were on their knees, some were crying, and some were rolling on the ground. Ella began to cry and wave her hands although she didn’t know if it was because she was connected to God, deeply touched by the worship session or...

The worship session finally ended, he prayed and taught the word. Service went so fast thereafter, before she knew it, benediction was said and people dispersed. She rose up and walked to the ushers’ room where ushers always had a meeting after the church service. She was part of them and the fact that she didn’t officiate that day didn’t exempt her from the meeting. She joined them and to her pleasure, the meeting was brief.

“You’re welcome back, Ella,” Debbie said as she walked Ella outside the ushers’ room.

“I’m glad to be back,” Ella said. They walked through the corridor that led to the porch of the church, talking. As soon as they walked into the porch, Ella’s eyes caught a glimpse of the man that had stolen her attention throughout the service. He stood close to the church entrance attending to people in turns. Some he shook their hands and smiled, while some he spoke quietly but briefly with. She wished she could join the few people around him and have a chat with him but she thought she shouldn’t. What would she say if she got there? Would it not be evident she was attracted to him? Or was crushing the right word?

“Ella, let’s also say hello to Pastor Joel. I was touched by every bit of his message,” Debbie, who was also looking in Joel’s direction, said.

“The message was fantastic. I was so connected. But is it really necessary to go there?”

“There’s no big deal,” Debbie said and threw her hands up.

As if that was the nudge Ella was waiting for, she nodded. “Alright. After all, we won’t be the first set to say hello to him,” Ella said.

“Exactly, that’s my point?”

They walked towards him.

“Hello,” Joel said to Ella and Debbie after attending to those who had come before them.

“Hi, sir,” they chorused. “God bless you sir. Your message is a blessing to me,” Debbie said.

“God be praised. He gives the will and the enablement.” He grinned, innocently sending chills down Ella’s spine.

“Will you be attending our parish every Sunday from now on?” Debbie said, fiddling with her fingers. “Hmm. I can’t be too sure. But it’s a possibility.”

“Uh uhn. Please make it real. Not just a possibility.”

He smiled. “God will have His way. By the way, I guess you already know I’m Joel Mason. Can I know your names?”

She placed her hand against her chest. “I’m Deborah Adebayo. People call me Debbie,” she said and faced Ella with obvious expectation. Ella’s throat seemed parched, and it was as if her tongue had been fastened to the floor of her mouth. She was more comfortable with enjoying their conversation than having to speak. Now that she was expected to speak, she was not ready. She smiled sheepishly, clearing her throat. “She’s Ella, assistant head usher and youth sisters’ coordinator,” Debbie said, rescuing her friend.

“Hmm, nice. That reminds me, you sat next to me in church right?”

Debbie glanced at Ella. Ella nodded and smiled.

“I guess it was your coming late that excused you from officiating,” Joel said with an arched eyebrow.

Ella smiled, her mouth shut. When she realized they were looking at her expectantly for an answer, she knew she had to talk. “U-uh. Yes. I travelled. I just came in this morning and I didn’t want to miss church. That was why I came in at that time.”

“That’s commendable. We must always thirst to be in God’s presence. God bless you both, have a wonderful week.”

“Amen, thank you sir.” Ella and Debbie chorused.

“You never told me you sat with him in church,” Debbie said, as soon as Joel was out of earshot.

“Well, there’s no big deal in that. I didn’t even notice him until later.”

“Alright. I understand. I am just wondering why you didn’t want to talk while we were with him. Do you dislike him or something?”

“Debbie, why would you think that? He has done me no wrong. Why will I hate him? Besides, we’re expected to love everyone as children of God. I’m just tired, the stress of the journey and all.”

“Okay. The Lord is your strength.”

“Amen. Come with me, let me drop you home.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. You should rather go straight home and get some rest.”

“You didn’t ask me. I volunteered.”

Debbie shrugged. “I know but...”

Ella puckered her lips. “Don’t but me. I’m dropping you off,” she interrupted.

“Alright, your highness,” Debbie said and they both laughed. They chattered on as they walked to Ella’s car.