Therefore, put on the full
Armor of GOD,so that you can take
your stand against the devil's schemes
- Ephesians 6:11
Evening was fast approaching and praise worship and prayers had resumed at Mama Sai's as everyone joined in, including Zebu.
"..In Jesus name have we prayed" Pastor Jacob concluded
"Amen," shouted everyone
"The Holy Spirit just laid an instruction in my heart, Amari proclaimed happily, smiling from ear to ear, "Please let everyone repeat after me, ..I wear the whole armor of GOD now in Jesus name, amen".
They had barely finished the declaration before a loud growling noise came from outside.
Little Lila nearly screamed everyone's ears off as she clung unto the nearest pair of adult legs she could find.
Everyone glared at each other, they wandered what was making such a bone chilling sound.
It sounded human, but yapped, and snarled, ..almost like a crossbreed between a wild dog and a ferocious lion.
"That .." whispered Bianca, as she peeped out of the sitting room window, which gave a clear view of the front porch, "..can't possibly be a human being".
Everyone ran to the window. Loud gasps erupted from each watcher.
Mama Sai screamed as she swayed on her feet as if in a dizzy spell.
The creature was totally naked and stood like a humanoid would, but it's whole body was thick and misshapen.
Thick black fur ran across the length and breath of its entire body. And it's head was unnaturally large, almost as huge as an hyena's.
It's black mane and elongated snout made it almost impossible for them to see it's yellow slit like eyes, but as the creature shifted it's gaze around the house for an opening, the eyes would glow like a cat's caught in a car's headlights.
The most frightening thing that could not be missed by all was the drooling jaw full of sharp curved canine teeth .
David ran to the front door and locked it from the inside. Yet the human like creature made no indication of moving from the spot where it stood. Instead it's twisted facial features looked amused and satisfied at the fright and commotion it caused .
"Donald, is the back door locked also!?", shouted Solomon as he pulled each woman away from the window and closed the panes . The more they looked at that hideous being outside, the more he felt their faith might waiver.
"Yes sir!" Donald shouted back from the kitchen before entering into the sitting room .
After seeing the strange beast outside, he had swung into action_ran to the back door in the kitchen and bolted it, along with the burglary iron behind it .
Papa J stared at the house help from were he stood . The lad seemed happy and almost oblivious of the spectacle outside. Anyone seeing him at that moment would think this sort of thing happened every day.
Solomon pulled the curtains tight and turned on the lights, ordering David and Zebu to do the same in every room.
The women hurdled together and began to pray as the young men secured the house.
********
Saluu had been in the vicinity long before he was discovered. He had even approached the back door while they were praying and would have gained access if it hadn't been for the white fire.
It was all over the house_every square inch of it . The fiery substance descended from somewhere above like a waterfall, and it was all around the property. It seemed to have a life of it's own.
It was impenetrable . He knew this well because he had tried everything, from running at it to throwing a large stone ,but even the damn stone hadn't even caused the smallest ripple .
Time was also not his friend. The transformation spell would only last less than an hour more. But he was determined on his mission, and his mission was to kill.
*******
Some stray dogs from the neighborhood began to bark furiously outside the compound , obviously aware of the intruder in their territory.
Mama Sai was for the first time thankful. Thankful that all her neighbors lived several kilometers from her.
She dreaded the thought of her closest neighbor's wife and new born babe being shredded to pieces by this beast if per adventure the new mother had come out to see why dogs were backing at this noon hour of the morning.
"We should call the police and have them come out here to kill that thing!" Solomon exclaimed, deliberately interrupting their prayer.
He just didn't understand what the prayer bands next line of action was going to be, but he was not waiting around until that beastly thing charged at the door and broke it down.
It reminded the farmer of the wolf who huffed and puffed in the children's nursery rhymes_gobbling down two of the three little pigs .
The farmer consciously shook his head. What a horrible image to get stuck up with at this point in time.
Though the others held hands and kept praying, Amari looked up and smiled at Solomon, she would make a better believer out of him yet and she knew he was going to be in for the shock of his life in about five minutes time .
She already knew what was to come, all she was waiting for was for the old Pastor to speak in confirmation as the Holy Spirit had laid it in her heart .
And as if on cue, Papa J began to speak with authority. At first he spoke in tongues and gradually began to interpret word for word what he had uttered in the Spirit.
"Rise up ye saints of the LORD and face the enemy, for the battle is already won. I am the good Shepherd and none of my sheep will be lost today. Your enemies will flee seven ways and fall into their own pits. For I the LORD, will contend with those that contend with you" .
As Papa J spoke the last words, he moved boldly towards the door, and unlocked it . Solomon was on the verge of wrestling the old man to the ground when a strong hand held him back .
It was an olive skinned man with piercing green eyes in a white robe and a long red sash across his torso.
The whole room stood still and he alone seemed to be caught up in a time warp.
From the corner of his eye, the farmer saw the whole prayer band match out of the front door with so much as a glance towards him.
No..don't go out there
Left behind was the old woman, and the little girl. Everyone else followed, including his son.
He was amazed at their guts. In their eyes, there was no fear. How was this even happening .
Everything around him seemed to move in slow motion, ..well, except the strange man before him.
"Let them go" the stranger said "..for I am with them. Don't be afraid, all will be well. For greater is HE who is in them than the creature outside"
And as sudden as the apparition had come, it was gone.
The farmer stood transfixed with his mouth agape, dazed at what just took place.
By now he could hear the group binding and casting down the creature . In retaliation,it snarled back at them.
But why hadn't it attacked them by now, the farmer thought to himself
Hastily, he forced himself to the front porch and beheld a sight he would never forget in his life .
The prayer band stood in a semi-circle, all hands pointed towards the beast , As they began to worship the LORD with songs, the beast began to scream.
It screams were heart chilling . It grunted blasphemous words out against GOD and his Son, Christ Jesus.
And suddenly it began .
Slowly at first, but as the worship heated up,the creature began to change . The changes became rapid and later out of the creature's control.
****************
To be Continued