CHAPTER 17
REDEMPTION
I start walking aimlessly in the streets of Johannesburg and I fall asleep in the afternoon at the entrance to a Roman Catholic Church. “Hey you there what are you doing.” said the elderly looking man in an Irish accent. I open my eyes slowly. “I, I, I” Is the only thing I said. “What’s your name.” said the man wearing a priest’s collar. This man has this type of bold hair were the upper part is completely hairless and patches of hair on both sides. He also has a huge white beard. “Tinashe, I need some water sir.” I said. I was dirty and had not had a bath in three days. My white jean had turned to cream and the blue t shirt I was wearing had some blood stains on it, my kinky hair was all coiled up, and my mouth was all white “I am Father O’Brien. Follow me.” said the priest as he helped me to my feet. I followed him into the church yard. The church yard was pristine and its environs were quiet. We entered a small gate which led to the rectory. Upon entering the rectory I was led to the kitchen where Father O’Brien gave me a meal suitable for royalty. “Eat up my son. So tell me how you ended up like this?” said Father O’Brien. So I narrated my story how I had ended up in South Africa and how I became a drug dealer and subsequently a drug addict. “My son you should always pray day and night. Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life, put your life in his hands.” “But, Father I don’t understand what have, I done to deserve such misfortune.” I said with my hands shaking. “There is a time for everything. There is a reason for all what has happened to you. All I can say to you remain steadfast and always pray.” “I don’t know how I am going to get over this addiction.” “You can get over it. First you have to believe in the power of Jesus Christ to heal and then it will all fall it place.” “I wish it was as easy as you say.” “Listen to yourself you are quitting before you have even tried.” said father McCain as he took a pause before continuing, “I can offer you a place to stay given that you help me around the church since the concierge who worked here retired a few weeks back.” “Father, I will help you but first I need to say a pray.” “Let’s go to the church you can pray there.” We went to the church a short distance from the rectory. The church building is a titanic early 20th century Renaissance enthused building. As I walk along the passageway I grow more and more, numb in my body. I sit in the first row bench. “I will leave you to pray.” said Father O’Brien as he entered the Sacristy. I sat there for a few minutes I didn’t know what to say or do as I kept my head down. I then moved from a sitting position to a kneeling one as I knelt down to pray. With my head bent down I started praying in my heart. “Dear Lord I know I have done some bad things but I now ask for your forgiveness. I want to start afresh. Jesus Christ please lead me on this path of Christianity.” I say as I lift my head with tears pouring slowly out of my eyes as I stare at the glass Crucifix. A spectrum of light is beaming through the glass Crucifix. For a moment I feel rejuvenated. Slowly opening my mouth I look towards the glass Crucifix which is stationed behind the altar. “Praise be to Jesus Christ.” After which I stand up. It was like I had received a revelation from Jesus it felt like he was there with me offering me a chance of redemption, the light beaming through the glass crucifix somewhat opened up my eyes. There right in front of me I saw my life unravel before me from the death of my old man right through to all the misfortunes that followed including the death of Bongani to my addiction. “I can see you have finished your pray my son.” “Thank, you father.” “Let me show you were you will be staying.” I was shown the three roomed cottage, and Father McCain gave me some blankets, clean clothes, soap and a towel. I took a shower and then I was invited for supper by Father O’Brien. After which I went to sleep. I worked at the church for the next two months and also my time there helped my spirituality. My Christian believe was further strengthened whilst staying at the Roman Catholic Church of All Saints the name of the parish. Each Sunday the Church was always full to the rafters with people from different races. Although Father O’Brien is in his early seventies his sermons are always energetic and full of charisma. So I had decided to go back home and I was going to be accompanied to the bus terminus by Father O’Brien. “I don’t know how to thank you Father. I pray that the Lord will help you spread his Gospel across the world.” I said. “You know my son I want you to prosper and grow your faith in Jesus Christ.” “You took me in when I was down and showed me the light and for that I will forever be grateful.” “Remember to call me when you arrive in Zimbabwe.” said Father O’Brien as he started the car as he took a pause before continuing. I was accompanied by Father O’Brien in his Toyota Hilux single cab to the Bus Terminus. Along the road Father O’Brien told me to remain hopeful that something good would happen in my life. Father O’Brien gave me eight hundred rands before he left. As I waited in line at Park Station to buy my bus ticket to Zimbabwe I received a Phone call I didn’t know who it was but from the first two digits +63 I knew it was an international call. “Hello.” I said. “Hello, is this Tinashe.” said the voice which seemed very much familiar. “Yes, but whom am I speaking to?” I replied. “It’s, Mr Miller.” said the person at the other end of the phone call. “O-ooooh Mr Miller how is Australia and how is Liandri and Mrs Miller.” “There are all fine. Are you still in the hunt for a job?” said Mr Miller. “Yes, but I am returning to Zimbabwe Today.” I replied. “I saw an advertisement for an economic advisor at Old Mutual on the internet and I think you can get.” said Mr Miller. “Was the advertisement for Old Mutual South Africa?” I asked. “Yes.” replied Mr Miller before he continued, “Are you on the bus yet?” asked Mr Miller. “Not yet.” I replied. “Okay if you can just extend your time in South Africa for a few weeks and try out the Old Mutual job and see if you can get it.” said Mr Miller. “But I don’t have anywhere to stay in Johannesburg. “Don’t worry about that I am going to send you some money and you can use to stay in a bed and breakfast but in the meantime use the money you intended to buy the ticket to pay for a place to sleep” “Okay sir, Thank you for looking up for me.” “All the best Tinashe. I will send you the details for the money withdrawal in an hours’ time by then I would have made the transfer.” “Okay, Bye.” I said. “Bye.” said Mr Miller as he hung up the phone. I then moved out of the line and I went to sit on the bench as I waited for details for the money transfer. Just over an hour later a message with the details for the transfer arrived. So I made my way to Standard Chartered bank and withdraw $1000 Australian dollars which at that point was equivalent to 9500 rands. I made the exchange for the rands and proceed to open an account since I knew walking around with a large sum of money would prove troublesome. I kept 2000 rands with me and the remainder I deposited in the bank. With the sun quickly fading away I made my way out of the bank and I went to an Internet Café where I searched for the nearest bed and breakfast place and also the place with the lowest prices. Finally I found a place to, stay at. It wasn’t the cheapest nor the nearest but it was fairly priced and was located near my proximity. So I walked out of the café and I hired a taxi which ferried me to the bed and breakfast place. I paid for five days. For the first time in over six months I phoned home. I was happy when I heard the voices of my family members. I applied for the job at Old Mutual but now I had to wait for the response. Three days later I received a phone call informing that I had been selected for the job interview. I was happy but I knew I still had to pass the interview to land the job. I bought a new suite and shoes for the interview with the money Mr Miller had given to me. The day of the interview came and I was beaming with confidence I felt like it was my time. The interview was without incident, the following day I received a phone call that I had being offered the job. I was so happy. I can’t describe how I felt at that moment. I phoned home to tell them of the good news. The job has some good perks, including a company car and a house unfortunately no company wife. So I was going to start work the following Monday. I also phoned Mr Miller to inform him that I had landed the job. The Saturday before I was going to start my work I went to All Saints Church. I waved towards Father McCain who was removing weeds in the flowers which ran along the driveway. “Hello Father, I have great news.” I said. “So you are already back.” said Father O’Brien looking all astonished. “I never left.” I said. “How come?” asked Father O’Brien as he left the garden fork inserted in ground. “The most amazing thing happened.” I said. After which I narrated how I had ended getting the job from the phone call I received from Mr Miller to finally getting the job. “The Lord works in mysterious ways and I am happy you got your breakthrough.” said Father O’Brien. “Father can, I use the church to pray I need to make a prayer.” I said. “You can, let me finish up and I will open it up for you.” said Father McCain. “Let me help you.” I said. So I helped Father O’Brien remove the weeds. I went into the church and made my prayer. “Lord Jesus I just want to thank you for want you have done. You gave me hope when I thought I was all but over.” I said as knelt down with my head bent downwards and my hands clasped together. I left the Church and went to the company house I had been shown to that same day. The car I was going to get on Monday. I was presented a Toyota Yaris as my car by the company. So it was going to be two months of probation before I could sign a contract as a permanent worker. Five months have gone by and I am enjoying my stay at the company so far everything has been alright. Each Sunday I go All Saints Church there isn’t a Sunday I have missed so far. The Easter holiday is upon us and with it presents a time where I can have four days of rest and I have already planned to go back home to see everyone, arriving in Mount Pleasant, at my brother’s home to my mother’s warm filled embrace. “Tinashe I thought you would never come back. Thank God you are back and in good health.” said my mother who is wearing a blue Zambia with a drawing of the holy Bible on it, wrapped around her and a matching doek. It had been 5 long years since I last saw my mother, during that time my sister had finished high school and started varsity but had dropped out because of failure to pay school fees. She still had that radiant looking about here. The house was the same as when I left no addition had been done, the main house was still to be built and my mother, my sister, Mai Louisa and her two children lived in the cottage. My brother was also coming from the United States for the Easter holiday. I was back home after a long time away. It might not be the house where I grow up but I certainly had missed it. I enter into the lounge which I had been told by my mother was very much empty eight months ago as they had to sell everything in the lounge to pay off debts. The lounge was now slowing filling up now with a new 42 inch plasma television I had sent home and some leather sofas my elder had bought. As I opened the door which led into the lounge I was very surprised to see the sight of my elder brother Tinotenda whom I had last seen almost seven and half years back. Without hesitation I ran for my brother whom I warmly embraced. For five long minutes I was engaged in the brotherly hug, tears started to flow on both our faces as we could not content the emotion we had. I was looking like the elder brother, Tinotenda with his baby face didn’t look a day older. “Still the same, skinny looking guy I last saw.” said Tinotenda as he removed his glasses and wiped tears of his left cheek. “Still the baby faced guy I last saw.” I replied. The only time I saw my brother was on social interactive sites like Facebook and Twitter, and he didn’t post that many pictures. The last time I had spoken to Tinotenda was a year and half ago. “Time flies, I can’t believe it has been almost 8 years since I last saw you.” said Tinotenda as he sat down on the sofa. “A lot has happened in those six and half years that I could write a novel.” I said as I remained standing. “Babamunini, thought you would never come back.” said Mai Louisa as she gave me a hug. “Where are my niece and nephew?” I asked. “They went for some shopping with Auntie Ruru.” replied Mai Louisa. “I guess there are now taller than me now.” I said as I sat down. “Soon enough there will be taller than you.” replied Mai Louisa as she sat down. “I am happy that my two sons are back from the diaspora.” said my mother as she took her sit. So I told them the whole of my escapades from drug dealing to my recovery, the untimely death of Bongani and my struggles. We sat there chatting for nearly two hours, and that’s when Ruvarashe arrived with Leroy and Louisa. “Uncle Tinashe.” shouted Leroy and Louisa simultaneously. “Tinashe is that you!” exclaimed Ruvarashe. “It’s me in flesh and blood.” I said taking a pause before continuing, “How are my favourite niece and nephew?” “I am fine, Uncle Tinashe where have you been.” asked Louisa who is the more inquisitive of the two. “I was always here didn’t you see me.” I replied. “Uncle Tinashe, we are no longer in pre-school.” said Leroy. “I am just pulling your leg. How are you baby sister?” I said. “I am fit as a fiddle. Boy had I missed you.” said Ruvarashe as she embraced me as I stood up. On the other end Leroy and Louisa also gave me a hug. We stood there four people engaged in affectionate group hug. “Yo Unces, I have a lot of things to tell you.” said Leroy. Leroy always referred to me as Unces, a shortened form of uncle. “I can see by the look on your face that you have a catalogue of things to discuss.” I said. “Me too, Uncle Tinashe.” injected Louisa. So we sat down and I had a nice chat with my nephew, niece and younger sister. Before Ruvarashe arrived with Leroy and Louisa, Tinotenda had earlier asked for forgiveness from everyone and pleaded greatly for forgiveness from Mai Louisa about his absence and lack of commitment. Tinotenda told us he had been driven away from us, his family, by poor decision making which he said had happened when he fell into the arms of another woman. The woman he says had caused him to turn his back on his religion and family. I asked if he had sired any children with the woman. His answer was no. He told us since he cut tires with her almost a year ago, he had returned to his normal reasoning self. Mai Louisa said she had already forgiven him even before he had asked for forgiveness. Everything seems to be falling into place. I am happy and I am with my family although it’s just for a few days before I return To South Africa but it’s worth it. The feeling is priceless.