Christian Fiction: Unashamed by Adepeju Victoria Adewumi

CHAPTER 1

The Land of Kugbe was a very peaceful land. The land was filled with happy women and men, very hardworking with beautiful view of nature, (the chirping birds, the blowing breeze, the dancing trees and colorful flowers). Kuro was the King of Kugbe at this time. The people of Kugbe were majorly into farming, with the lands bearing forth fruits in due season.
However, the king of Kugbe was a very dreaded man. Whatever he says is the final. King Kuro believed so much in his power and the ones handed over to him by his ancestors. He allowed no one to serve any other God except the gods his fathers served.
Even though he was wicked, there were times he could be a good man.

“Heee! King! King! Please help me!" One of the villagers (Alaba) barged into the palace early in the morning.

“Calm down! What would you want your king to do for you?”

With his voice shaking and lips vibrating, he voiced, “Ha! My king! I dressed up this morning to work on my farmland. On getting there, I met three huge men claiming my land and they chased me away. My king, please; this is the only inheritance my father left for me. Please, come to my aid.”

“Oh! That's a small thing. I will send two of my guards with you and anyone found on your farmland will be cleared.” King Kuro said authoritatively.

“Ha! Thank you my king. May you live…”

King Kuro suddenly changed his countenance and blinked his eyes as though he just remembered something crucial.

“Wait! I forgot to ask, which god do you serve?” King Kuro asked.

Fear gripped Alaba to his marrow, his heart started beating twice the normal rate.

“I… I… ser…” He stuttered.

King Kuro was about losing his patience.

“Talk to me now or I send you to prison!” He screamed.

“My king, your servant serves Yeshua.”

The King laughed sarcastically.

“Yeshua my foot! How many times have I told you I don't want anyone to worship a strange God in this land? Now, you are in trouble and you expect me to be of help after disobeying my order? Go and meet your Yeshua to chase those men away.”

The man started trembling in fear, soaking his cloth in sweat.

“I'm sorry my King, please forgive me.”

“Anyways, today is your lucky day. I won't lock you up and I won't help you either. Leave my sight now before I change my mind!”

The man quickly pulled himself up and rushed out of the palace.

“Now, if I decided to lock him up or kill him; they would say I'm a wicked king. Am I wicked? No! If you live by my order; you would certainly enjoy me.”

This was what the people of Kugbe were going through. You could only live in peace if you obeyed all the King's law.

******************
Alaba was walking home in hopelessness, fear and tears.

“Is this how I'm going to lose my farmland? How will I survive it? The king decided not to help me because I'm not serving his god.”

He then looked up to the sky.

“Eledumare (God), we can't keep living like this. Have you hidden your face away from us? Please, send help. Deliver this land from darkness that we may live in freedom, joy and happiness.”






CHAPTER 2

Samuel was a very intelligent man and an ardent lover of God, who lived in Adugbe city. Samuel was very young but highly on fire for God. He went for open crusades, house to house evangelism, campus outreaches, village outreaches… to mention a few, with massive testimonies of salvation, healing, miracles, breakthrough and deliverance. One amazing attribute of Samuel is the fact that he was a very humble man.

Samuel was very humble; many people gave him titles like Apostle, Papa, MOG, The Prophet… which he humbly turns away everytime with this saying; "I'm just God's servant, a pen of wonder in the hand of my creator, you are free to call me Samuel or Sam for short."

Then, one day, after a powerful ministration at the crusade; he dragged his tired body home, thanking God in his heart as he returned home. Immediately he got home, he jumped into his bed to rest.
After few minutes of resting and really waiting for sleep to kiss his eye lids; he started hearing a name in his inner man.

"Ku-gbe, Kugbe, what's the meaning of this name? What are you saying Lord?" He pondered

Everywhere was very silent and he was unable to hear any other name after kugbe.

"Oh Lord, show me what you want me to know about this name, tell me Lord. (He yawned) By the way, your son is feeling sleepy o, should we meet in the dreamland Abba?" He said with a smile on his face as his eyes began to get locked up with sleep.

Are you surprised about such prayer? That's how Sam prays, he talks to God as though he is face to face with Him. What a robust and intimate fellowship.

As he asked, so he got.
Jesus showed up in his dreams.

"Sam! Each time I look down from heaven, you give me a reason to smile and be happy. Well done my son"

"Sweet Jesus, only you made it possible. I'm nothing without you." Sam responded with a glow on his face.

"Sam! I want to send you on an assignment. Hmm! This is not like the usual one, but I trust you as my soldier".

"Holy one, here I am, send me." He said with his head bent in honour.

"I want to send you to the land of Kugbe, to preach the gospel, bring light unto them and set the captives free."

"Oh! The… land… of… Kugbe"
These were the words on his lips as he woke up to reality.

"The land of Kugbe, where could that be? What village, town or city is that? Father, let your will be done."

*************
As light kissed darkness goodbye and the cloud was graced with light, Samuel started searching about the land of Kugbe. He ran his fingers through his phone and typed "land of Kugbe" to google search.
As oracle of knowledge that the google is, it brought out every bit of details about the land which Samuel painstakingly went through.

As he went through this body of knowledge, rivers of water started gathering on his body, he began to sweat profusely.

"Ohhh Jesus! Why me? Why this land? No wonder you said it's a different assignment. Can I really do this? This is more like a death sentence.” He lamented

Then, he bent his knees to pray.

"Lord Jesus, I'm currently afraid, but I know you know the best. Father, please help me. Teach me how you want me to go about this. Help me oh God. I can't do this on my own.”














CHAPTER 3

After several researches, contemplations and prayers; Samuel had no choice than to obey God. He was packing his bags; getting ready for the mission when his younger brother (Daniel) entered the room.

“Bro Sam, how are you?”

“I’m doing fine.” He replied, looking very sober.

His younger brother was surprised to see him packing.

“Ha ha, Bro Sam, are you going on a journey I don’t know about? Why are you packing your bags?”

Sam moved closer to him and placed his hands on Daniel’s shoulder with their eyes gracing each other.

“Hmm! Aburo (younger bro), I’m just a soldier who must obey the clarion call as it sounds. Yes, your brother is traveling for a mission as God instructed and he doesn’t even know when he’d return. I just have to obey.” Samuel said as he sighed heavily.

“Wow! It’s well. I’ll be praying for you and also stay in connection with you.”

Daniel paused for a while and spoke up again.

“Or can we go together? I’d love to be part. Two heads are better than one you know.”

He said with a smile on his face.

“Hmm! Da-ni-el, you just don’t want to leave your brother alone. I hope you know, going for mission is not rice and beans. Are you sure you are willing to do this?”

“Yes! It will be a beautiful thing to save souls together with you. And where you are going is even a new town, which I’d love to learn about.”

“It’s ok then, go get ready and then we move together”.

Daniel was super excited by his brother’s response and he started packing his things as fast as he could.

************
Samuel and Daniel committed their ways to God as they began their journey to Kugbe land. Samuel was filled with lots of thoughts as the bus drove them to Kugbe.

“My life is signed up for Jesus, and I’ll keep making Jesus proud”. He thought

Finally, they got to Kugbe land in the evening, they didn’t know where to go to or who to ask for.

“Father, we are here as instructed, Lord Jesus, direct our paths. Amen”

So, they kept moving as they trust the Holy Spirit to give them directions on the route to take. When they got to a particular junction, Samuel had a nudge in his spirit to pray over the land. He grabbed Daniel’s hand and told him they should pray in the Spirit over the land. They did this for few minutes and resumed their walk.

“Bro Samuel, it’s getting darker by the day, we have not come across anyone since we’ve been walking. Are you sure we are on the right path?”

"Daniel, be calm. We are on the right path and I just perceived we would meet one of the dwellers soon.”

“Ok then, let’s keep moving.”

After about 15 minutes, Alaba was seen passing by. They quickly ran to him.

“Good evening sir.” They greeted

“Good evening o.”

Alaba looked at them again

“Are you people visitors?”

“Yes, Baba (Father).” They chorused

“We are actually missionaries sent to this land to come and…”

Alaba quickly used his hands to cover Samuel’s mouth before he finished talking.

“Missionaries?” He whispered

Alaba looked up with a smile and tears started rolling down his cheeks.

“Yeshua, you have never failed. Thanks for answering my prayers and sending these ones to our land.”

Alaba turned to Samuel.

"I’m sorry for covering your mouth the other time. Missionaries are not allowed in our land, because our king is against any other religion. Everyone had to worship his gods, but I’m a secret follower of Jesus; I even escaped jail some days ago because he got to know I follow Yeshua. I guess I was preserved so that I can be of help to you.

Alaba took them under his roof, and gave them food to eat. Before everyone slept off, he told them details about their land.

***********
Samuel woke up to pray after few hours of resting. He was still feeling very sleepy but he knew there was a need to pray. He dragged his sleepy body up as he paced to and fro the room praying in tongues in a low voice.

“Father, teach me on how to spread the gospel in this strange land. Give me your wisdom to carry out this assignment effectively.”

After some hours of prayers, he sat down to read his Bible.

“Hmm, the gospel is not allowed in the land, how do we carry out this assignment?” He thought.

Then, he flipped the pages of the Bible and came across a particular verse that struck his heart. It goes thus;

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Roman 1:16)

This particular verse seemed so new to him, even though he has read it many times. The statement; “for I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ” came out to him in bold letters and stood out for him. He kept staring at that verse as it sank into his marrow. Suddenly, he jumped up from his sit, highly brooded over by the Holy Ghost; he began to repeat the verse.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ...”

This he repeated as much as possible, then boldness started building up in him, he became so intoxicated by the Spirit and he began to laugh and jump up.

“Oh! We take the gospel to the end of the earth. We preach with power and signs. We are not afraid of what can be done to us. We are not ashamed of the gospel!” He screamed

His voice woke up Alaba and his younger brother.

“What happened?” They screamed

“Oh sorry! So sorry for disturbing your sleep. nothing bad happened, I can’t just keep calm due to the light I came across.”

Alaba and Daniel were so curious to know the light he came across. So, they all sat down to hear him speak. Samuel started teaching them about the verse he came across and they ended up praying together.
Alaba was shocked to hear Sam and Dan pray in tongues.

“Sorry oo, Pastor Sam, can I also speak the language you are speaking? I’ve read about it but I’ve not been able to experience it.”

“Yes Baba, it’s given unto sons to speak the language of the Spirit, and thank God you are a believer already.”

Samuel laid his hand on Alaba for the baptism of the Holy Spirit, Alaba burst into tongues as the Holy Ghost gave him utterance. He was so overwhelmed by God’s presence that he couldn’t stand on his feet. He fell to the ground, vibrating with God’s power. This incidence built more confidence in Daniel.

“We are here to establish God’s kingdom!” Daniel screamed.








CHAPTER 4.

Alaba woke up feeling so refreshed and new. Samuel and Daniel were getting ready to preach the gospel.

“Are you serious about going from house to house to preach this morning?” Alaba asked in fear.

“Yes o, we can’t keep quiet forever. It’s time to make people know the true living God.” Samuel answered

“Hmm! It’s dangerous o. The King might put you in prison or even kill you.”

Samuel laughed hysterically.

“We are fully persuaded, and to this course he has called me to bring light un to the gentiles, and set the captive free. We are not afraid of death. For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

He faced Daniel frankly.

“Are you also afraid or you are fully persuaded to go on this mission?”

“I’m fully persuaded sir! We are soldiers!”

“That’s the spirit bro!” Samuel said with excitement

Alaba couldn’t believe his ears, he tried persuading them not to set out but they wouldn’t just compromise. They set out for the journey and started peaching the gospel from house to house. Some rejected them while some welcome them into their homes. Then, they came across a woman who has been sick for several years, she was prayed for and immediately she got healed. This incidence made many to accept Jesus and their fame spread like fire across Kugbe land. The King’s ears were filled about these two strangers who came into the land and turned it upside down for Jesus (Yeshua). The king was filled with so much fury, and he sent his guards to bring those strangers into the palace with a determination to kill them.

“No one will serve any God except the one I serve. Yeshua is not allowed on this land!” He roared.

The guards set out and captured Samuel and Daniel. The dwellers of the land followed them to the palace to know what the King would do to them.
The news got to Alaba and he ran as fast as he could to the palace; panting, sweating and crying.

“I warned them about this but they wouldn’t just listen to me.” He said as he ran to the palace.

Everyone in the palace stood still, waiting for the King’s command.

“You bastards brought a strange God into my territory. You are brave o, now your end has come” The King said with fury in his eyes.

Daniel was afraid to his marrow and hid behind Samuel with his legs shaking and lips vibrating.

“Dear oh King, with all due respect, we are too small to face your fury and we have only brought good news into your land.”

“Yes, yes.” The people whispered amidst themselves.

King Kuro was so angry by his response, he rushed to him and served him a resounding slap. Samuel responded with a loud laughter like a mad man.

“Bro Samuel, please, please comport yourself. Don’t talk again; I can’t afford to lose you.” Daniel whispered

His reaction got the King very angry and he ordered his guards to kill Samuel by hanging him.

“Haaaaaa!” The people of Kugbe shouted, but nobody dares to beg on his behalf unless they are ready to die with him.
Daniel ran to the King in hot tears, pleading with every fiber of his soul, but the king gave no damn.

“Your brother has decided to challenge my authority and he must face the consequences.”

Then, he faced the people of Kugbe looking like a wounded lion.

“No other God is allowed on this land except the gods I serve!” He roared.

Daniel held Samuel so tightly crying upon his shoulders.

“Daniel, please be strong. I never thought I’ll meet my Jesus this soon, if he shows up, fine; and if not, he is forever God. However, it pays to serve Jesus and it’s an honor to die for the gospel’s sake.”

Hot tears started flowing freely from Samuel’s eyes and his heart beating so heavily, so much that the sound of the beat can be heard.
Alaba ran to Samuel, wailing and throwing himself on the floor.

“I told you not to go but you wouldn’t just listen. Who would teach me the word again, who will show me the true light? Who will pray together with me?...” He cried

Sam braced him up, looking straight into his eyes.

“Daddy Alaba, I’m so sure there are many other faithful disciples of Yeshua and I know someday, they would find their way into this land and Kugbe would definitely be for Christ; a seed has been sown anyways.”

The king was so shocked to find his people wailing for a total stranger, so he decided to follow them to where Sam would be killed to be sure of his death.
The people kept wailing as they followed them to where he would be slayed. Daniel couldn’t stop wishing it could just be a nightmare. As they walked down, Samuel began to sing his favorite hymn in tears and pains, with a glimpse of hope; believing he would meet with Jesus that very day.

“In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My comforter, my all in all
Here in the love of Christ I stand


In Christ alone who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
Till on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live


There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ


No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.”
 
This hymn strengthened his inner man and his heart was filled with joy beyond the death.
The guard tied the rope that would be used to hang him and he was asked if he had any final word to say, he nodded in agreement.

With his last strength, he said the following words;

“There is no other true god than Jesus Christ, all other gods are the works of men and they can never take the place of Jesus. Don’t be fooled, Jesus is real. Accept Yeshua into your life today. I’m not pained, the gospel is worth dying for. The early Apostles were also persecuted, how much more I? Kugba belongs to Jesus alone!” He screamed

He faced his brother and Alaba.

“Don’t forget to keep holding the faith, don’t be ashamed of preaching the gospel or identifying with Christ anywhere and everywhere, even with your last breath.”

Everyone couldn’t just stop wailing as the rope was tied and he was hung.
Hmm! Something surprising happened immediately he gave up the ghost.

There was a loud noise of thunder like never before, everyone was scared to the marrow. The thunder struck severally until it struck the King. King kuro slumped and died on the spot.
Everyone was astonished and taken aback. This really made them believe much more in the God of Samuel.
They mourned over the King and Sam for few days, but Kugbe land never remained the same…
Daniel and Alaba lived together after, and they painted every nooks and crannies of Kugbe with the gospel.
Now, Kugbe is a land filled with peace, joy and true disciples of Jesus.

THE END