Chapter 2

“Our father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from the evil one. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.”

This was a prayer by James early in the morning, as he was getting ready to start his day. He always kept his Christian faith levels in the high and in touch with God.

He was one very energetic, determined, and hardworking young man who had a whole life ahead of him. He was not wrestling-big body wise but he had just enough strength. He had to find something else to do as he endured the long wait for his results to know which path his life had to trend. Ever since he was in school, James happened to be a hard-working young man and had a dream and a vision to be an industrious man.

We cannot say that he was a genius though. On a scale of one to ten, he scored a seven and always worked to improve this score. Above this, James was devoted to church. He was of the Catholic denomination and was very deep in faith. In reference to our scale, James scored a nine for his exquisite effort in church affairs. This made him be elected as the chair of the Young Christian Society at his former school.

Still needing to do more, even after school, James' love for the church could be witnessed. He was the church youth leader at their local Munyari Catholic Church. He was a respectful young man and was loved by all, the young to the elderly.

This one particular morning, James had thought of going out in search of an errand. Somewhere and something he could hold on to in wait for his examination results. Once ready, he left his home for Munyari Secondary school. The previous day, he had passed by the school and had a talk with the principal about a teaching job. On his way, he kept pleading God to be by his side. He knew only through God’s help was he sure to secure this job. That is the much faith he had; God first, before everything he did.

A few minutes later, James was already at the school. He went into the principal’s office to submit his credentials. After a while of dialogue with the principal, James managed to prove his worth and capabilities. What followed was a place as a Mathematics teacher. The school was in an earnest need of one.

Having secured the post, the principal took him for a quick introduction to the other teachers. He was later released and requested to report to work the following day. The following day, very early in the morning, during the assembly, he was introduced to the students as their new mathematics teacher.

The students were pleased that finally, they had a young Mathematics teacher, of whom, they could easily relate and share their problems. Besides his excellent capabilities, this was the main reason the principal hired him. The principal also happened to highlight it during his speech to them.

From this day on, James' life turned for better. It was no longer a boring life without responsibility. He finally became busy doing something. Due to this success, James felt the need to do something more for his God to show gratitude.

It was also the right time for him to show his potencies to the world as well as use them to make it a better place. Surely, he was very hard working, determined and goal oriented. He was packed with skills the principal thought the students needed to learn from him. His first lesson in class said it all. He was determined to be the best at his toils. The students liked him from the very moment.

Away from the schoolwork, James needed to do something else, in his church especially. He had noticed the choir and the youth were becoming dormant. He could not let it happen lengthier, notably, not after the success he had of getting an errand.

He had to do something to thank his God. Normally, the youth are the most sophisticated group of people. Even in church, they do not get to be recognized easily. Their love to stay in the shadows is reason. In other words, they are the group sitting at the far back in every service. The backbenchers if you may call them.

As the church sermon is going on, some are always on their phones busy chatting among other misguides. This had to end in James' church. Being a youth leader was not enough. He needed to do something more to reform their attention. He needed to think of a fast way and that could help save the situation.

Decisively, he had an idea. Everybody loves music, especially the youth. Without music, life becomes very boring. Even in church, no music and the church is…just another gathering. This; was what had been eating the youth and the choir at James’ church.

Once he discovered this, he decided to be the savior. First, he had to advance his little music knowledge. After quite a number of lessons, he became better. He was able to train and direct his choir better during the church service. His knowledge of music and tireless efforts to revive the dying choir got him yet another position.

The church elders decided he be the church Choir director. This surely turned tables and got those other youths interested. Once more, James was a winner and the hero.

Some of his students at Munyari School were members of his church. Knowing that their teacher was well acquainted in music, they needed to have a music club. They also needed to exhume the Young Christian Society that had been dead and buried for years.

Dissimilar, his heroic acts meant nothing much at his home. His parents never gave him a piece of mind besides his efforts. According to him, his parents were not the best one could have but they were still parents. They believed that, by putting pressure on James, he would achieve more. Although he never liked it and hated them for it, the pressure did help him work harder.

Before James secured himself the teaching job, they challenged him frequently. They made it clear that, they were not to tolerate laziness. Now that James was working and busy, they still had surprises for him as well.

They were always trying to let James know that, their sacrifices for his education were a debt. A debt he had to pay some day. He could not fully understand the reason why they had to be that tough on him. Every evening he returned home was a bitter lesson for him. They could not get off his back no matter.

Finally, James was tired of the ill-treatment as he thought of it and decided to fight for freedom. His first move, to get his own apartment to stay, far enough. It is said that, if you cannot beat them, join them but sometimes, it is always true that if you cannot beat them or join them, run for your life! This is what James did eventually for his peace and calm.