In fact, Gahima could not believe his ears when he heard these words. He walked nervously and only looked behind after he had reached St. Etienne Church in Biryogo. He entered and sat in the church, his head resting in the hands and the elbows resting on his laps. He thought about many things. But, what made him even get more puzzled was the manner in which he was going to die rather than his arrest. What astonished Gahima was the brevity and skilfulness the two groups used. The poor boy had not got familiar with the lifestyle of the street. Gahima said he had last fought in his P.1. The juniors also had knifes and bars. Shortly after, Rev. John Mugabo came in to say some prayers. He asked him what he was doing in the church alone. After a closer look at the boy, he discovered his shirt had big stains of blood. “What happened to you?” Mugabo asked. “My father beat and cut me last night almost to death and he swore to kill me if I ever step in his home,” Gahima said, showing him the cut in the chest. “Why?” Rev. Mugabo asked. “Our Pastor at school told us how merciful Jesus Christ was and how He loved the sinners and the poor. So, I chose to become a Christian and next Sunday is the day that had been chosen for my baptism,” Gahima explained as beads of tears rolled down his cheeks. “What is your name?” Rev. Mugabo asked. “My name is Abdul Gahima”. “What is your family religion? “At home we are Moslems”. “Oh sorry! Abdul, do not mind. The Christ you have accepted suffered and his followers must suffer as well. That is what it means to be a Christian,” Rev. Mugabo said. The Pastor continued to comfort Gahima. He spent some time telling him many facts about Christianity. He asked him whether he could go back home if he gave him transport. Gahima swore never to return home. “I cannot even think of it, if I go back my dad will kill me,” Gahima said. Therefore, Mugabo took him to his home. As soon as they reached home, he narrated Gahima’s story to his wife and the whole family. They all felt very sorry and accepted to adopt him as a family member. Uwitonzi Jane, the eldest girl volunteered to wash his clothes. Kayumba Fred, the second born of the three children gave him a new shirt and a pair of trousers, he got as a Christmas gift from his cousin sister who stays in the U.S. They also agreed to take him to school and prepare him for baptism in two weeks from then. Mrs. Mugabo started teaching him the lessons on the main Christian teachings and a few prayers One evening, Rev. Mugabo came back unusually late and happy from the Church. He told his wife that he had received the bishop’s acceptance letter to baptize 102 children that Sunday. Gahima was to be among them. Gahima was listening attentively to everything. “This boy is very brilliant and I have not seen before a child as clever as him,” Mrs. Mugabo said. “Is that true!” Rev. Mugabo exclaimed. “He has perfectly learned ‘The Creed’ and ‘Our Lord’s Prayer’ and recites them very perfectly. Mugabo asked him to tell him who the mother and father of Jesus Christ were. Gahima gave him the correct answer. Ends
