Seminarians On Mission
EPISODE TEN (10)
By: Rec Godwinmario the last born of the BVM
Andrew refused to limit his preaching to just the mission house, he was seen preaching on the streets and from house to house. While Vitalise was focused on his philosophy of life "we need to be alive to preach the gospel".
Vitalise kept providing for the people physically and was gently making friends with them while Andrew was zealous in preaching the gospel. The number of believers increased to the glory of God. However, the king and his cabinet became angry with the young missionaries but were afraid to attack them because of the great number of people who believed in them. So they started looking for ways to put them against the people.
Vitalise learned about the king's dissatisfaction and went to him and apologized to him and begged him to temper justice with mercy, reassuring him that they will keep to his instructions and be mindful of their limitations.
A few months later, the people were preparing for their yearly festival of Thanksgiving to Anyamazaga the god of beauty. On the D-Day of the festival, the people came in the morning only to discover that the shrine was totally burnt down by an unknown person.
The King was angry, cried out loud, and tore his garment.
KING: Investigations be carried out immediately to know who carried out such evil against our land.
ABOKWAGH (Elder 2): Investigations? My king, we don't need any investigations, since in the history of our great community this has never happened before, my King, nobody born of this community can do this.
KING: What are you trying to say?
TYOPINE: Are you still asking my King? Even the blind can sense the handwriting on the wall.
ABOKWAGH: My King, you embraced these young missionaries, built them a mission house, showed them our secrets and now they have bitten the hand that has fed them. This is the Shrine of Anyamzaga, your favorite god.
The King was visibly in pain as dears made their way out of his eyes.
KING: Are you sure of what you are saying? You already know the consequences if this turns out to be a false accusation.
ABOKWAGH: My king, this is the handwork of strangers. Call them and confirm it yourself.
At the king's order, the young men whose house was not far away were summoned to the burnt shrine. They both were looking surprised at the massive destruction of the shrine.
KING: Look into my ears Vitalise (while approaching them) and tell me the truth, Are you the one that burnt down this great shrine with your brother?
ABOKWAGH: My King, why do you have to ask them whether they are the one? The question should be WHY.
KING (ignoring him) Speak, speak.
VITALISE: You asked me to look into your eyes and speak the truth, in your eyes I see pain and heartbreak but the truth is that we did not set this shrine on fire, I mean why should we go that far? My king, we can do no such thing.
TYOPINE: Liers, apart from separating people from their gods you are also professional liars. If you are not the ones then who else?
ABOKWAGH: My King, They have thousands of reasons to destroy this shrine. Among all the shrines in the community, why is this one close to their church that is burned? You have warned them to keep their boundaries but did they? Is this not enough reason for them to set this shrine on fire?
KING: Vitalise, I love you for your simplicity and level of understanding, I love you even more when you came apologizing to me when you sensed I was angry with the both of you. You are the only reason why you are still in my land against the wish of my cabinets now can you swear to your God that none of you did this?
ABOKWAGH: My king (the king debunks him)
ANDREW: Long live the king…
KING: I wasn't talking to you.
VITALISE: My King, thank you for the level of trust in me, swearing is one of the most powerful things in our faith, permit me to have a word with my brother. (Andrew swore to Vitalise that he was innocent and could not have done such a thing despite his hatred against their gods).
My king, I swear by the God of heaven and earth that I and my brother did not burn down the shrine of your god.
TYOPINE: My king, remember Andrew promised not to obey your commands and also admitted that he challenged our gods, also remember that he has poised the people against the worship of our gods. I have lost count of our spiritual elements he has destroyed in the name of that his God. Who else if not that evil child?
(A MAN FROM THE CROWD) My king, why waste time, let us consult Torjov (the seer) to tell us who did this.
KING: Vitalise, all fingers are pointing at you and your brother but since you have sworn you leave me with no option than to do this our way.
ABOKWAGH: (to the people) What are the consequences for one who commits such evil?
PEOPLE: Death, death, death (they chorused)
The entire crowd including the young missionaries headed to the shrine of Torjov who was already anticipating them. Immediately they were closed to his shrine, he stopped them and continued with his incantations.
It was obvious to the people that all was not alright. Andrew was already challenged in the spirit as he started praying inwardly. The Torjov was distracted from the Incantation through the prayers of Andrew and came out to address the people.
TO BE CONTINUED
