The memory of some inspires fear
Anger, anxiety, bitterness and regret
While some bring love and sunshine
That makes our normal lives sparkle

She came to earth beautiful without hair! So much so a neighbor named her, “Afro Woman.” Today she rocks a natural Afro we all admire. I waited for her hair to grow so I could make my baby sister pretty. I would spend my pocket money to buy hair accessories but getting her to sit and let me finish was always warfare. I must plead and bribe her until it was done without raising my voice, and continue to be nice thereafter or else, she takes it all down in a minute, right before my eyes. I’ll feel bad but tomorrow I was back, pleading and bribing to make her hair again. I spent my expensive stuff one afternoon to make this amazing style and my sister looked gorgeous! She wanted to go show off to our neighbors, but I said no because mummy wasn’t home and I’ll get into trouble for allowing anybody to go out.

This girl went into another room, came out a few minutes later and all the beautiful hairdo was gone. I was so upset and with the comb still in my hand, I spanked her silly. She cried until mummy came home which was no big deal because she can cry all day, pause to snack, eat, take a nap, wake up and continue where she left off. It wasn’t until in the evening when mummy was giving her a bath that she noticed the comb marks. That night, I was banned from ever making her hair or spanking children I didn’t know how they were delivered.

When I was disowned by my family for my faith, my siblings were forbidden to talk to me so I don’t infect them with my crazy belief. She would always take the risk whenever I was home to come and download everything that happened while I was away and whatever was said or planned concerning me and my faith. I always knew she loved me, but we all feared the tiny girl because she was mummy’s best friend.

When she got born again, she broke all the rules I couldn’t in our catholic family. My born-again friends were not allowed to visit. Sandra brought them all home and they had services under my parents’ nose. She invited pastors and brethren without accommodation and my parents took care of them, fell in love with them and were eventually led to Christ by these radical believers they had grown to love as their own children. The house was never empty, there was always some brethren around even after we all left home. I called that the power of Sandra’s faith.

In her earlier years as a born again, I noticed a trend: every time a new preacher visited and made alter call, my sister steps out. Every time! Eventually I learned she was disappointed after every altar call because she expected to pray and preach and live like me and once she realized she couldn’t, she felt she needed to give her life again. God used my friends to stabilize her faith and she began to grow into her own despite her desire to be like me.

From her first year in college, she had this friend that sings beautifully. Sandie would take her on her evangelistic missions. Her friend will open the meetings with praise and she delivered the Word. It was like a reward for my persecution watching my little sister graduate to become my partner in serving God, my counselor and my best friend. It was quite the privilege to watch her find her calling and embrace it fearlessly.

One day, I got a strange news: your sister didn’t pay her tuition: she gave it to her fellowship. What? But I couldn’t say anything because I had done that too. She is a generous giver, a great influencer, a woman that is richly gifted and sensitive to the Holy Spirit, a humble leader with amazing depth in God’s Word. Very gentle, loving and caring but she does not suffer fools gladly. Today I celebrate this woman who has served God alongside me and on her own in various capacities: Happy birthday Pastor Sandie ❤️

Glory!