Sometime last year in May, on a fateful or should I say, unfateful Saturday, I was robbed in a “one chance” vehicle. It wasn’t at gunpoint. Just some old shady tactic where the conductor tells you to help them hold the door so that they can close it properly, while the driver or the passenger by the side takes your phone or wallet. Then they drop you off in the middle of the road under the guise of a ridiculous high transport fare. My phone and wallet were taken.
Not only did that happen, they got access to my bank account that day and took out a loan of N420,000. Thankfully, they were only able to transfer N150,000 out of my account because of the transfer limit on my account.
All efforts made to trace the thieves with the help of the police proved more and more expensive as I had spent not less than N40,000 on a banker’s order and some other amount I can’t remember at this time.
Another option was to tackle the challenge of my bank account with The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC). But this also met a thick wall as the commission said they did not handle fraud-related matters.
By now, the bank had started taking their monthly payback of N35,000 and 10% interest on the outstanding balance. I had to look for means to get a loan to add to whatever was left from what the thieves took and pay the outstanding lump sum, but this was not fruitful.
I decided to have peace and bear the cross as a class.
Funnily, the same thing almost happened to me again the following week after the first incident. But this time, I no gree for them o. I held the door while looking straight at the driver and holding my pockets. The conductor kept saying “Guy, hold am well now make I close this door before LASTMA hold me.” I told him “no worry, I dey hold am.” When they saw that I would not yield, they just dropped me off at the nearest bus stop and zoomed off with the conductor showing me his five fingers (waka).
From September when the remainder of what the thieves took finished, I started paying off the monthly payback and interest with my monthly income in tears and much pain. All through that period, anytime Pastor prayed for debt cancellation and a testimony was shared on the same, I kept hoping and trusting for mine.
Even though it was really torturing, I never let it affect my faith and giving. In fact, it was even during that period that the Holy Spirit told me to increase my giving. In my mind, “Holy Spirit how far na. You know I’m now being looked up to by my family for financial assistance. This is not even enough to take care of my needs.”
Holy Spirit was like “My friend, add some more to what you are giving the house.” Around that time too, we started to take offerings in the Lagos outpost! Ah!
In all, I never lost my joy. Although it would shake here and there but we moved regardless. Transportation costs in Lagos didn’t make it easy. With the fuel hike and nationwide economic fluctuations, transportation costs doubled. We also started Saturday evangelism in addition to the Sunday meetings in Unilag. If you know how costly it is moving around in Lagos, where some car owners have even parked their cars at home to use public transport, you’d rather just stay at home.
Just typing this, I realize now that it was a lot.
To cut the story short, last Sunday, 21st January 2024, Pastor prayed for financial restoration. Although I didn’t tune in live for the meeting, God was still gracious! I was given a motivation (cash gift) of N400,000 last Monday from my office for a brief that came in. I was able to use almost half of the money to offset the remaining debt.
As if that was not enough, my salary was increased by tens of thousands for my hard work and commitment to the office.
I’m now able to have my income and rest without the headache of debt, and have even more to give to the Lord’s house.
I want to thank God for showing me His mercies and bringing me into a new season. It feels so new breathing this fresh air since last week. I have come to appreciate God from the depth of my heart and say a big thank you to my Lord.
Ahhhhhh!!!! What shall I say unto the Lord, all I have to say is “Chukwu Dalu”
