Afflicted. Episode 3

Afflicted
Episode 3
There is pandemonium everywhere!
People cannot believe what has happened, and they are screaming and prancing and absolutely uncontrollable!
Tears well up in Kesewaa’s eyes as she looks at the man of God who has, in seconds, healed her mother where years of medication and the best surgeons paid by Akoto hadn’t been able to help.
She looks at Pastor Obuobi in awe.
KESEWAA
(tremulously)
Oh, Lord!
REV. OBUOBI
(nodding)
He’s evil, my dear! All these years Akoto has been using your mother to make more money and pretending to send her to hospitals to see big doctors! Please stay away from him until I have cleansed him spiritually, otherwise you’ll be dead on your wedding night!
Wordlessly, as tears stream down her face, Kesewaa nods numbly, and walks on rubbery legs towards her mother.
Sika Nyantakyi is weeping with joy as she flings herself into her daughter’s arms.
SIKA NYANTAKYI
(weeping)
He did it, Kes, Our mighty God did it!!
KESEWAA
(weeping)
Yes, Mama! Oh, yes, Mama! God is great!!
It is Sunday.
It is a most wonderful day inside Golgotha Heights International Church.
For the first time in two years Mrs. Sika Nyantakyi gives a most soul-shaking solo as she sings Mr. Steve Crown’s song: YOU ARE GREAT.
Many people cry in the church as the once paralysed lady renders this soul-wrenching thanks to God.
The offertory flows, and people shout and scream in adoration to God.
Afterwards the new pastor, Ebow Obuobi, gives a great talk on RECEIVING PROSPERITY.
The congregation gape at him as he tells them there are riches in God’s hands, and how God is going to bless everyone in the church with gold and honey only if they are prepared to test God by giving great offerings.
REV. OBUOBI
So, that’s it! Everybody here can be great and rich if he or she will listen to the voice of God and cultivate the habit of giving to God, of testing God with the money in your hands. There is nothing impossible for God. Nothing! Look at Elder Ampofo here. He’s been blind from infancy, but he owns his own chain of gas stations because he listened to God’s voice, and he’s rich. He has a beautiful wife, and three great children! That’s what God can do! Elder Ampofo, tell me, what do you wish for now? I can do anything for you, because I’m filled with power!
All eyes turn to Elder Kumbour Ampofo.
He is sitting on the raised podium with some of the elders.
Elder Ampofo is one of the richest men in the church, but he is blind, been that way from birth.
Pastor Obuobi approaches the elderly man.
Elder Ampofo is in a white suit with blue shirt, and he is thin and tall with a shock of grey hair.
He is wearing dark glasses.
There is a buzz within the church room as Pastor Obuobi puts a hand on the Elder’s shoulder and laughs.
REV. OBUOBI
Be of good cheer, Elder, because the Lord has been good to you and your family.
Elder Ampofo smiles.
ELDER AMPOFO
I’ve been blessed indeed, and I lack nothing. The Lord has been great!
REV. OBUOBI
(smiling)
So there’s nothing you want, Elder? Nothing at all?
ELDER AMPOFO
(laughing)
Oh, I’m content and happy now, and there’s nothing I want. I just want to worship the Lord, and I want everybody here to be blessed by the Lord!
CONGREGATION
(shouting)
Amen! Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!!
REV. OBUOBI
(shouting)
I’m happy you don’t lack anything, Elder. But, answer me, wouldn’t you like to see your lovely wife and children, to really see them and look at them?
There is a sudden silence in the church hall.
The smile vanishes from Elder Ampofo’s face, and for a brief moment he almost looks angry.
ELDER AMPOFO
Please, Pastor, do not mock me!
REV. OBUOBI
(shouting)
Oh, look at this man! He professes to be a great man of faith, but he can’t see the mighty hand of God in his life! This is what I’m talking about! He doesn’t believe I can heal him! This man, although rich, is limited because he refuses to see the great hand of God on me, and reach out for higher blessings and prosperity!
ELDER AMPOFO
(agitated)
Stop it this instance, Pastor! I was born blind, and I’ll go to my grave blind! But I’m not blaming God for that! I have a good life even though I can’t see!
REV. OBUOBI
And I’m telling you my power is greater than your little mind!
ELDER AMPOFO
I’ve gone to miracle crusades, and I’ve consulted every powerful man of God! I’ve consulted the best doctors in the world! Nothing could be done about my eyes, Pastor! I keep telling you, the grace of God is sufficient for me!
REV. OBUOBI
Lie, lie, lie! You have not seen the full grace, I tell you! If only you will open your heart and see the glory that awaits you, then I, Reverend Ebow Obuobi, will open your eyes today!
There are tears in Elder Ampofo’s eyes.
The crowd is uneasy and disturbed because Elder Ampofo is well-liked and respected in the church.
One of his sons stands up now, evidently to stop the pastor from torturing his father further.
Bishop Osuanyi Ayeh is also on his feet, evidently wanting to say something to Obuobi or to stop him.
Reverend Obuobi suddenly rips the dark glasses off the elder’s face, and the congregation gasps.
The Bishop holds out his right hand, appalled.
BISHOP OSUANYI
Pastor! That’s too much! You’re going too far!
REV. OBUOBI
I remove the scales from your eyes, Elder! Your family members from your village took your eyes! They use your eyes as charcoal to fry human flesh! Your day of redemption has come! By the powers in me I cure you now! Receive your eyesight!
He brushes his hand down the Elder’s eyes.
Elder Ampofo screams suddenly, and gets to his feet!
The congregation gasps with awe.
Even Bishop Osuanyi takes a step back with sudden shock!
From birth, Elder Ampofo’s eyes had always been pure foggy white!
His sclera completely took over his whole eyes!
He had no iris and no pupil, only the white foggy sclera!
But, quite suddenly, he has irises now… and pupils!
For a moment Elder Ampofo is shocked into immobility as he sees the world for the very first time!
His mouth is gaping open so widely that his jaw would’ve dropped to the floor if it has been elastic enough!
His eyes dart from side to side with incredulous wonder!
Great tears well up in his eyes and spill down his cheeks as he brings up his hands and stares at them with absolute wonder.
He begins to tremble quite visibly as he cries.
ELDER AMPOFO
(stunned)
My God! I can see… Sweet Lord, I CAN SEEEEE!!