Excerpt: Betrayed For Love

A week was big enough to visit a first lieutenant, Ngong in the army Camp at Mungere. The two later returned to the camp.

It was not long they stayed before a lot of convoy began arriving. Microphones called people back to the camp after off loading. It was distributed all till nothing was left to be kept in stores.

It was easier to cook Githeri, “boiled grains,” of sorghum and beans. They were preferred to be gnawed by children on the walk if displaced.

As the sun hid its face, a rebel Nissan arrived and those soldiers announced that Ngalngala was under the control of government forces.

Civilians ran and camped on some valleys. Those who ran after pouring food they had in cook wares began cooking again. To those who carried those hot cook wares on rags on their heads were advantaged.

Rain drops added into boiling water and later all was well. Not much time was spent there so they left. It had grown darker like lingerie of untidy woman. This was a deep valley blocking their way.

There was a string way to be followed keenly else would cause toppling. Thon took children to the other side.

With that heavy sack on her head, Achok couldn't make it through. She slid into that deep valley.

The sack toppled luckily not hurting her. Children all wailed as if their mother won't return. Thon instructed his children to stand still and got into that selfish valley.

He pushed her out, pushed the sack out too, she pulled it out and he managed to come out. That narrow escape continued, on and under valleys. Ways to the new camps were shown by the faithful Equatoria till they reached.

The new camp had those who were chased from Torit and them who escaped jiggers in Magwi. They were registered and got settled in another related family. The camp was Ameeh.

Sooner than later, Thon made his home at the end of the camp settlement not forgetting his godly altar and made new neighbours.

This increment in the camp population led to outbreak of epidemics. Food was abundant. The United Nations had come with trucks which hardly got stuck. A day broke; people were carried to their death beds to rest. Children assumed their classes of alphabets under sole care of UNICEF.

Rumours began being announced by some of the soldiers who survived. Among rumours of the dead who died in that war they escaped from the camp, ‘Parak sika-Ngalngala,’ was Ngong’s.

The night when Achok fell in a valley, their son was shot dead, the soldier who was his guard said evidently presenting his clothing. The rest of the relatives heard but delayed to tell it sooner.

They mourned this evidenced by his body guards and fellow soldiers. His clothes were taken to proof he was gone.

Funeral was organized and he was forgotten.

A month on: Thon fell sick and developed into illness. He passed away after serious nursing by his wife and children. The family bumped to sorrow again. It was much of a stress.

On the third day of her husband’s death, Achok had a nightmare being in the church she hadn't visited before. She sang songs she could not recall the next day.

A voice penetrated, “Welcome to the house of the lord, Margaret."

Light shone the brightest in the entire church. She woke up instantly intending to go to the altar. She pulled the door severally and didn't open so she bounced back. Her eyes blinked twice as they opened.

“What does this mean?” she asked herself. “Am a Widow and these children orphans!”

But her sister used to say, “God raised Jesus from the dead, God of widows and orphans."

She said before she would say her rubbish to keep her hairs.

“God I will do if you expect it of me,” she said.

That's all she knew about the church like you see prayers not concluded. Initially she was obliged not to pass near churches. Next morning, she cooked earlier for her children and went to church.

It was vacant so she broke the loose into that vast thatched church.

She stood and sang.

World's same that's why girls marry to other clans,

Life leads, in absence of cattle,

Self esteem will be put first and absurd eliminated.

Self esteem and marriage won't be stopped though cattle are absent,

Concreteness of the message, raiders have not raided.

Am surprised, am not showing off,

 Life is changed,

 Life is changed with wickedness and strength and education scarce among us.

Dear leaders, our nation needs education.

The song which pleased her ended. She prayed her prayers without conclusion and went to the nearby church compound. She stood behind a hut. It was tiring to wait for someone who didn't know someone was standing outside. She clapped.

Women clap, men clap scarcely, men growl and a few women do like men.

There came such a slender lady. They exchanged strange greetings like they were surprised to meet.

“Can I help in a way?” asked the slender lady.

“I should meet the pastor, that's why am here,” she said.

“Let me see to it,” the slender lady said and left her standing.

After a short delay she took her in. They prayed, got introduced to themselves and Margaret narrated the story. She got a wholesome welcome into the house of the lord. Their names were recorded to go for catechism.

They were baptized later and that's how the name Margaret came about. Congregation followed them home. Beads, altar and whatever it was which was used to worship gods was burnt. People danced at home, others running around claiming they were chasing Satan. Finally they prayed and left. Margaret and her children entered new life in Christ.