The Link To Light, (Published).

part 17

Dedicated to comfywrites

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It wasn't difficult to convince Mandy's mother and get her to give her life to Christ. 

"Congratulations, Mother. I'm so happy for you!" 

Her mother took her hand and kissed it. "I'm also happy. Thank you for unveiling this truth to me!" 

"You have to baptise Mandy and her mother, Ifes," the still small voice spoke. 

"Baptise? But Lord, you know I don't know how to do it." 

"You  can call any of your pastors." 

"As you can see, her mother is still recuperating, she can't even walk on her own as it stands," Ifes argued.

Ifes waited to hear the still small voice reply to her, but felt ashamed of her unbelief when she didn't. She decided to move on with the instruction. 

She tilted her head to look at mother and daughter who were engrossed in their chat and barely noticed her presence. 

"Umm! Mandy, I think it's time you and your mother get baptised." 

"Baptised?" they asked simultaneously. 

It's not like they haven't heard the word baptism or didn't know what it meant, but they didn't know how it applied to Christianity. 

"Yes," She replied, giving further elucidation. 

"Oh, wow! Alright then, let's have it done, we have a pool adjacent to the garden at the east wing of the compound," Mrs Oretha, Mandy's mother said after Ifes asked if they could use the pool. 

"Mother, my friend and I will help take you to the poolside." Mandy stroked her mother's hands gently. 

Oretha smiled bleakly. "I remember how I used to scoop you up in my arms when you were still a toddler, but today, the reverse is..." 

"Hush, Mother, I don't want to see that sad look on your face or I will cry." 

Her mother touched her beautiful soft cheek. "You  know how much I hate seeing you crying, my angel?" 

Mandy blushed. 

Ifes glanced at mother and daughter then winced inwardly. 

Are you sure you are the one doing this? She wanted to ask God. 

She called one of the pastors back in her church in Nigeria and got instructions on how to carry out the baptism before thanking him and disconnecting the call. 

Oretha was made to put her arms around Ifes and Mandy's shoulders as they helped her out of her room to the poolside. 

As they walked down the stairs, Ifes glanced at the living room and saw Mr Parker gazing at them, eyes and mouth agape in fright and shock. 

Mandy didn't notice her father's presence as she was carried away with whatever she and her mother were discussing. They entered the living room and walked past Mr Parker as they made for the door leading to the garden. 

"I am just so excited about this and I really can't say why!" 

"Oh  yeah! Me too, Mother. You can say that again." 

This was the only sentence he could grasp as his wife and daughter walked past him without noticing his presence. 

"Why should I be perplexed about this whole thing?" He frowned.

Whatever Mandy's crazy friend was doing to his wife and daughter, she was really succeeding at it. As far as he was concerned, he would always believe what his friend's priest told him. Nothing more, nothing less. If Mandy's friend was right, they wouldn't have gone through the difficulties they had.