I got involved with NCCF a long time before I went for service because of my mum. The NCCF Family House was right behind our house. At 5:00am or 5:30am everyday, they had morning devotion which started with high praise. That attracted my mum. She was a worshipper and a singer. She started joining them from her room everyday. Then she went there to say hello to them and introduced herself as a neighbour. Typically, they took to her. And I got drawn in too because of the morning worship. Any outgoing set ensured they introduced my mum and I to the incoming set. NCCF Family House Osun State became my second home.
The Music team allowed me sing with them during the weekly fellowship time, lead worship during Rural Rugged (Sylvester Umemezie) etc.
I was fully drafted into the music plan.
During Papa Godwin's set (Godwin Ude) I decided it was time to attend the National Conference with the NCCF family. But there was a problem. If I called either of my parents for money, they would ask why I needed extra cash. I wouldn't lie to my parents about money. And I was not ready to hear 'you are not going'
Now, my parents knew us very well!! If any of us would leave school to go anywhere, it was to attend a worship concert, conference etc. They had no worry that their children would go for a wild party or anything below the values they taught us. But despite that, my parents' rule was 'no trip anywhere' and somehow, they expected that we would come home on weekends. That way you could not go anywhere. I did not always obey that rule
My mind was made up. I was going to Jos for that Conference whether I had money or not. I left school for Osogbo and headed to the NCCF Family House. I had barely entered the compound when I saw my parents through the perforated fence. They were coming out of our street, walking together to the bustop. Having come out plain to Papa, Mama and some of the Excos that my parents had no idea I was going on that trip, they hurriedly hid me from sight. They couldn't avoid saying hello though coz Mummy was quite close to NCCF. They all became my no 1 partner in this crime
Knowing I did not receive permission from my parents to go on that trip, the Papa and Mama did not let me out of sight all through the conference in Jos. Quoting Papa 'I cannot get back to Osun State and tell stories to your mum'
When we got back to Osun State, I thought to myself that I would go to the campus and come to Osogbo the following day. I wanted to be able to truthfully tell my mum that I came home from school. I was about to knock when my mum opened the door. She asked 'where are you coming from? I saw you in Jos'
I thought 'chai!!! this woman sef'
I told her then that I went to Jos with NCCF for the National Conference. Mummy looked at me and replied 'OK. I won't tell your Daddy'
Thus my no 2 partner in crime was recruited
Now this particular gist is really about my mother being a 'prayer' and how God showed her things especially about her children. With mummy, don't bother to lie. You just can't!!!
Without having to try too hard, my parents never had to train us on telling the truth.
Mummy by the help of the Holy Spirit was our automatic programmer!!!
#MyMother
#PrayingWoman
