Kajomona

KAJOMONA

By

Blaise Tshibwabwa

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2011 by Blaise Tshibwabwa

Thank you for downloading this eBook. This book may not be reproduced, copied and distributed for commercial purposes, with the exception of quotes used in reviews.

Your support and respect for the property of this author is appreciated.

This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously.

The origin of the word can be traced back to the Democratic Republic of Congo in a dialect known as Tshiluba (chi-lu-ba) which is the official language spoken in Mbuji-Mayi the capital ofthe Kasai province. This simple, yet striking, word is used to glorify, worship and praise God. To have an exact visual meaning of this word, it is suggested to observe the function of an excavator. The excavator does not remove the surface but it goes deep down to the root!

Disclaimer – Kajomona has been written in an engaging and accessible style. Tshibwabwa gives us a coherent analysis of everyday challenges faced by people around the globe by incorporating elements of Christian experiences, and does not pretend to skim the surface, instead he shows a practical application of faith and trust in Christ.

Malachi Publications, Established since 2009

I dedicate this novel To my God given Wife, My JL. To my mother and father, To my one and only sister & her spouse, To my brothers & their spouses. Not forgetting my sisters-in-law & My brothers-in-law, To my many nephews and nieces. To my friends… you all know who you are…May God Bless each and everyone. Faith precedes Victory!

Chapter 1

Kinshasa, Zaïre 1979, on a rather warm night, as dawn was yet to make its majestic appearance; the striking sounds of a newborn child preceded the crocking sound of the chanticleer. The birth records of the then Université de Lovanium now Université de Kinshasa (UNIKIN), was to be updated as a birth certificate was to be produced with the name Anthony Bobic imprinted on it. A rather short stay at les cliniques universitaires, and the modest convoy of cars was on its way to the western district known as Ngaliema. The proud parents were taking their newborn son home. Mr. Bobic and his large family had planed an entire welcoming arrival party.

Oh my! the new mum exclaimed herself as she saw the amount of people waiting for her, Gerard, what’s happening here?

My dear Elizabeth Gerard responded as he held her hand, the joy that I have to bring you back at home, with our child is beyond the joy that I can express, so I had to call our family members to come and see the blessing our Lord has given us on this day.

Elizabeth looked at her husband with a caring smile and continued shaking her head as she could see from afar her brothers and cousins.The car pulled over. The new family came out to the cheers and applaud of the guests.

My dear ones, allow me to present to you the complete yet still growing set of the Bobic family Gerard voiced over the cheering as he took his son out of the car.

Both the parents of Elizabeth and Gerard were present. Yes, they had just been certified grand parents. As Elizabeth was directed to a chair so she could seat before the prayer of thanksgiving, Gerard looked at her and said My wife, my me that I love with all my heart! Hold my hand and stand up!

She looked at him with a face saying that she was tired and needed to rest for a bit but could not help but go according to his request. As everybody bowed their heads to pray, a sweet voice with an amazing hymn came out from the living room, yes, it was Elizabeth’s aunt that had flown in from Brussels just for the occasion.

The rest of the family and friends merged into the singing when aunt got to the chorus singing, Then sings my soul, my saviour God to thee, How great thou art, how great thou art…

After the prayer was said, everyone sat and continued mingling around the yard and once in a while coming to see if the baby had woken up. It had been a moment that all had been waiting for. Gerard and Elizabeth Massanka had been married for a good five years and had been doing all they could to get the blessing of a child but all those years had just been giving a feedback as if they were still not ready to start a family. Ups and downs in the household they saw, frustration had been always at the rendezvous. Discouragement also was slowly taking its place, as they were ready to close the chapter for good and leave life together as a couple. The grace of the Lord never fails those who trust and believe in God.

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust (Psalms 91: 1-2) Elizabeth and Gerard confessed day and night and continuously triggered specific prayer missiles.

On the day Anthony was born, Elizabeth drove herself to the hospital not knowing what she was going through. As she made it to the emergency room, the chief nurse could not believe her eyes but say Thank you Lord for having kept this woman and her child as they came here. And spontaneously called for a doctor and went with her to the delivery room. Gerard Bobic was a man with a busy schedule, not that he neglected his family, but his duties and responsibilities did not allow him to be contacted until the delivery of his child.

Would Mr. Bobic be available please? the nurse asked the person who answered the phone.

Yes, may I know who is calling please?

"It is Nurse Collette from les cliniques universitaires?" she responded.

Please hold the line.

After a few minutes had elapsed, the silence was broken by a deep and anxious voice.

Gerard Bobic, how may I help you?

Good evening Mr. Bobic or rather good morning the nurse said, as she could not help but smile over the phone.

Is everything alright mum? Gerard asked, as he was getting more anxious.

Well, I am calling to let you know that your wife Elizabeth is here with us and mostly with your new born child!

Praise the Lord! Alleluia! Thank you Jesus Gerard screamed as tears of joy fell on his cheeks; I am on my way! I am on my way!

Gerard instantly left the office for the hospital and could not stop praising the Lord for the blessing and the victory he was from achieving. As he arrived at the hospital, he went up to the 2nd level where he found his wife holding their newborn son.

He got closer, hugged them and together they started crying and crying as they began to worship and praise the Lord. They dedicated their son to the most High and named him Anthony. The pregnancy of Elizabeth was quite a challenge. As much as people had been wishing them the best to have a kid, when she became pregnant, it was as if some were not happy anymore but yet jealous to see how the Lord would always intercede when a complication would come. The nurse came back into the room and took the child for the night.

Gerard my darling, I am blessed to have you in my life Elizabeth said to her spouse as tears were still going down her cheeks.

My God given wife, my heavenly gift, today is a day of victory, the battle we started so long ago, Jehovah Nissi – Oh my! The banner of Victory as it is said in Exodus 17: 15 - 16 because the Lord hath sworn and the Lord will have war

Amen, amen Elizabeth voiced as she continued, remember how the pastor told us to confess psalms 91 and not to worry, because the same way Jehovah Jireh provided for Abraham he would provide for us in its due time and season.

Yes, I can never forget that

The couple continued talking and fellowshipping all through the night that before they could close their eyes to sleep, the nurse was already walking in the room asking if she had a good night.

Yes, the night was one of testimony Elizabeth replied.

I am glad to hear that, and keep up with your faith; it will take you places that you have never imagined before.

We will, we surely will. Elizabeth and Gerard both answered.

Well, today, we shall be doing some exams on Anthony just to make sure everything is fine. Once the results come back, the both of you will be free to go home the next day and raise your child for the glory of the Lord that you serve.

Thank you nurse, my wife and I truly appreciate what you are doing for us. Thank you very much.

Not to worry Mr. Bobic, the three of you are in good hands.

The nurse walked out and the doctor came in to do his routine check up on Elizabeth and discuss with the family on the different procedures now that she had given birth to a very healthy baby.

Chapter 2

It had been about six months that Mr. Bobic had been away from the country. He was in touch with the family on a daily and was counting down the days he would be coming back to enjoy his family until the unexpected happened. From the first day Gerard landed in Brussels, he had been praying to God that his family would be able to join him, he had been praying that the Lord grant him favor for him to be able to settle with his family but the answer he was hoping for, at a distance it seemed to be as the days for his return to the mother land kept coming closer and closer.

Gerard, don’t worry, God has a better plan for us, keep on trusting in him and you will see how faithful he is. He will not let your son down, Elizabeth repeated to her sobbing spouse over the phone.

I believe dear, I believe, but till when?

What do you mean till when? If you say that, yet it has been only seven months that you are gone, what would have Abraham said, him who waited years, what would Noah say? Elizabeth said as she raised her voice, you got to trust in the God who promises, and seek the God who blesses.

Amen, Amen. Gerard replied with a more confident voice.

Now go on and rest, because you have a long day ahead of you dear. May God bless you and I love you and miss you. Elizabeth said before disconnecting the call.

Amen, may God Bless you too my love and in him I trust, hug the kids for me_ and before Gerard could be done, the calling card finished and hence disconnected the call instantly.

Chapter 3

I’m not sure…Eavesdrop and synphonate! she said, looking at him with a look that would not say long nor would allow him to take a comeback line from but only agree with her.

Beep and another call came in through the line.

Thank you for calling El shadow, my name is Anthony, how may I help you?

Yeah, I’m just calling to update some information on my account.

Not a problem that can surely be done, may I have your account number and name?

Anthony continued helping his client and was slowly counting down the minutes as the day was almost over.

A well-built African American of six foot in height not too buffed up with muscles but with a well defined body from head to toe; always sharply dressed whether in business or casual attire; all of his shirts and pants were purchased online from the finest retailer in England. Looking fly was not just a passion; it was a lifestyle that he didn’t plan on changing anytime soon. Unable to pursue his education in Medicine, he decided to leave Zanzibar and come face the North American hustle.

Every time, Anthony had to seat and describe his hometown, he would give you the chills and thirst, he’d make you wonder why, and why you’ve never gone there… When I describe Zanzibar, it is like I am doing my thesis to obtain my Master’s so, it has to be the best and most detailed information one can anticipate!

"Zanzibar is like the floating pearl in the middle of the Indian ocean off the shores of Tanzania – Africa. A place on earth that makes you wonder if indeed cold and hot really exist as the temperature is never too hot nor too cold, it is just mellow like me Anthony!

The waters that surround my beautiful and cozy island are emerald green and crystal blue…woo! When the sun sets, my, oh, my, you just feel like pausing time and admire its reflection on the ocean, looking at the magnificent vegetation that grows almost everywhere and mostly all year round, no chemicals in the food, it is indeed like a paradise on earth but I prefer calling it my floating pearl!"

Moving to Canada was a challenge in itself for Anthony, adapting himself to the weather and the culture but never the less he got to Toronto, hooked up a job with one of the most legendary concierge agencies and was just invading the area with his charming and distinctive voice that in no time, he was crowned the paramount concierge among all his competitors and mostly by his clients; Anthony was the man you wanted to know at El Shadow Concierge Services.

Beep another call comes in…

Hey, just browsing through the yellow pages here, why do you guys go by the name El Shadow?

Thank you very much for your query and mostly for taking the time to complete your quest. El shadow is a concierge agency that strives to please its customers above and beyond their expectations acting as their shadow. We will orchestrate anything from personalized shopping to celebrity bookings, destination management, get away weekends, find you premier seats at your dream events, if you would like I can set up an appointment, we can meet up and go over our services in depth?

I see, so for example, if I need the best tickets to the Stanley Cup and best package for I don’t know what, you guarantee that? the lady asked with an hesitant voice.

That is exactly right, El Shadow guarantees you that service, lets say today you call me and say Anthony, I need to have a jet waiting for me at Pearson tonight at 8pm, a car to pick me up in Vancouver and take me to the hotel and then my meetings and in between I need to do some shopping etc… El shadow will meet your expectations if not surpass them.

Wow, Anthony, well, I will continue browsing around and call you when I make up my mind.

Not a problem, it was a pleasure talking with you, if you don’t mind, may I have your name and contacts so I may send you a brochure and in case you decided to have El Shadow as your concierge thereafter?

Certainly, it’s Latisha Sani, 4440 Lakeshore Blvd, Suite # 1620, Toronto, Ontario M5R 9P5 she replied with a more confident voice.

Thank you, and may I have a phone number too, if you don’t mind? Anthony asked in a polite and professional manner.

Oh, sure, 416-647-5203 and will I receive a gift or… she asked in a joking way.

Well, as I mentioned Ms. Sani… and before he could even finish his sentence she abruptly interrupted just call me Latisha; I still have lots to discover and lots to be discovered.

Thank you, so as I was mentioning Latisha, at El Shadow we believe that our clients need to be cherished as if they were dreaming but yet they need to experience it. Most will tell you not to dream beyond the length of thy sleep but here we actually encourage you to day dream because they all come true; and to answer your question, definitely keep your eyes open because the mail man will make use of your bell soon!

"Impressive Anthony, and if