Today being the first day of April reminds me of a particular first day of April in 2011.
Then, I was deeply involved in church youth affairs.
It happened that one of us planned a house party for his birthday. We called this young man "broda" in church.
In the days preceding broda's d-day, series of invitation announcements which usually came after fellowships, had many mouthwatering promises. Broda swore he pulled out all stops for this party and that brethren should expect a special treat.
"Surplus food, fun, name it... just come and be merry..."
Sisters would croon with delight.
Brothers would pump their fist in the air, hailing him.
The excitement was building up, and him being a high-profile member caused youth members who were in other states for studies to travel home for his birthday.
.
In batches we came to party, everyone was dressed for the occasion.
On arriving his residence in the company of brethren, the lifeless compound we viewed through a half-closed gate, had no semblance of a party venue.
Despite the house number inscribed on the gate, we found ourselves confirming from residents nearby if we were in the right place, before a groggy looking broda emerged and ushered us in.
We sat in the outdoor area with the assumption that perhaps, we showed up too early - even though we didn't. We sat, observing, waiting for showtime, and having an army of sandflies to contend with.
A lasting graveyard silence enveloped the supposed party ground. Only the creaking iron gate opening and closing to the wind, cackling hens in a poultry, and goats bleating in a structure within the gated house, created music.
After church guests had been sufficiently gathered in the venue, broda came out wearing flip flops and same domestic clothes he had on,
"Amen!"
"Amen!" We chorused, smiling.
"The hour has come. Yerimama zangoribaba zindarabazebobo..." he started
We exchanged quizzical glances amongst ourselves.
Broda continued,
"On your feet everybody. The devil is in trouble today. Oya, sister xyz lead us in praises."
Praise session stretched over 2 hours. Afterwards, we were instructed by Broda to vacate our seats and form a big circle within the open space.
This time he laid hands on everybody and delivered people of serpents, bats and cankerworms - something he tagged my "birthday gift".
He ordered us to in fact pack all seats in a corner so there's no sitting.
No be joke o, we wrestled against the kingdom of darkness from midday till crickets chirped at night.
After several exhausting rounds of spiritual warfare, to my chagrin, packets of cabin biscuit were served with terribly hot bottles of sprite and coca cola.
Was this the party of all parties that we were promised?
To wrap up things, broda gave an aggravating vote of thanks to a morose audience. Nobody bargained for this ordeal of a party.
The closing Grace shared sounded like grumbles, and everyone dispersed. That day, I dropped my Christianity and laid curses on him.
That was the craziest April fool of my life.
>>>>>HAPPY NEW MONTH<<<<<
~McMakeMeLaff
