THE TWELVE-Chapter 3,episode 3

The next day, the twelve had a meeting with all the elderly people they now had in their lives. They sat in Rubel’s meeting room to talk about their departure which was the next day.

“So you’re leaving tomorrow?” Moscow asked, he also acted like a father to the twelve and it gave him great joy for all he had been blessed with in this life, there was an emptiness of not having a child in him but ever since he met the twelve, it felt to him like the void had been filled.

“Tomorrow is that day,” Shelly said.

There was so much sorrow in the hearts of them all but they could not express it.

“What are the things you will need for the journey?” he asked again.

“Nothing for now Mr. Moscow,” Ken replied.

“I should run some errands for you,” Lennon pleaded. “As your lawyer……”

“Formal lawyer,” Shania interrupted. “As it is now, we don’t have a lawyer,”

“Common Shania,” Ro said. “Even so, you need people like him to prove to the government officials that whatever you’re doing is legal and that they can trust the welfare of the street children and orphans in the camp,”

“We understand your point but thanks,” Cindy said. “It won’t be necessary.”

“It is necessary,” Rubel told her. “For a lawyer to or lawyers to back you up in ventures like this,”

“Mr. Rubel, we understand your point,” Maxwell said. “But believe me we don’t need that right now.”

“If we ever need help in that area,” Michael said. “Mr. Lennon will be the first person we will call.”

“I’m so ashamed of myself,” Lennon said. “You kids have grown up already; you now know how to handle your affairs all by yourselves,”

“Why won’t they?” Jakes asked him. “You left them and they had to survive with or without your council and as you can see they did survive, they are over you.”

“No, no, Jakes,” Chris said. “That’s not a very nice thing to say.”

“What, I said nothing but the truth right?”

“Stop picking on him Jakes,” Jan said. “That’s not the reason why we are here.”

A brief moment of silence escapes the room.

“Twelve,” Leon said. “I am sorry for whatever wrong I did to you. I am so proud of you kids, glad I was a part of your life,”

“Thanks Leon,” Lindsay said.

Benedict and Harrison were still feeling embarrassed to talk so they kept quiet all through.

“What about your ride?” Moscow asked.

“I booked tickets for them on different planes,” Ro said. “They all will be leaving tomorrow afternoon.”

“What about accommodation?” Rubel asked.

“W e will take care of that when we get to our destinations,” Larry replied.

“You know I still would have loved if somebody elderly could go with you,”

“They can’t.” Maul told Moscow. “We are going to be fine and we don’t want our fans to know about our departure, we don’t want a crowd at the airport please Mr. Harrison and Benedict,”

“Why do you think we will tell the fans about your leaving?” Harrison asked.

“I don’t know,” Maul replied. “For some reasons you always do,”

Everybody else smiled except for Maul and Harrison.

“How will you handle the ones in the plane?” Chris asked.

“We can bear that,” Zodiac said.

“Ok,” Moscow stood. “With all said, we will meet you guys at the airport tomorrow.”

“What time?” Chris asked.

“2:00Pm,” Ro replied.

“Thank you all for your support,” Shelly said. “We lack words to express our heartfelt gratitude.”

They all smiled and nodded. The twelve stood.

“We beg to leave you now,” Ben said. “We still have things to pack.”

All the gentle men and the lady stood as well, as they gave their goodbyes with much sorrow in their hearts knowing that by that same time tomorrow the twelve will leave them for a land that is so unpredictable.

         With tearful goodbyes parents hugged their children who had been chosen to go with the twelve to explore Africa. Though the parents didn’t have a full idea of the kind of mission their children were embarking on, they felt sad to see them go out of their sight for that length of time. As they dropped them off at the airport, the children assured their parents of a safe return and with lots of experience too and the parents didn’t doubt that, after all they we going to do the tour with the twelve. The children were twenty four in number, some had both parents, some had single parents and others just foster parents with no biological parents. They were there two hours before the departure of the plane and the twelve arrived some few minutes after them. With the perfect disguise designed for them by Ro and Jo, they had managed to bypass fans without them noticing even at the airport. When the twelve met the other children, they were happy to see them and their parents were happy to see them as well. The twelve went around hugging the parents and thanking them for letting their children go with them and they could see how excited their children were, the parents were most grateful to the twelve for making their dreams come through.

Few minutes later Ro and Jo met them. The kids were with their parents having their last chitchat for the next six months.

“We had to pack the car well,” Ro said. “Some of you will be in the same plane, you will have a transit flight, and did you check it?”

“Yes we did,” Shelly said.

“Everything alright,” Jo asked.

“No,” Cindy said with a hissing breath.

“Why?” Ro asked and they all became anxious.

“Common guys don’t you really see what’s wrong here,” She said. “We are leaving each other,”

They felt the same way she felt.

“I feel terrible,” Shania said.

“I remember the last time I felt this way was when I lost my parents and when we heard about the dead of our lawyer.

“Fake dead,” Cindy said.

“Are you still mad at him?” Maul asked her.

“Ok…… ok……” Zed said. “That’s the last thing we should be talking about right now.”

The tension died down.

“I’m going to miss you both for that,” Zodiac break the silence and they all laughed.

“Right,” Lindsay said. “I will miss you all. This is something I never dreamt of but it’s happening,” a tear welled down her cheek; she smiled and brushed it off.

“Girls,” Michael said. “Words cannot describe the amount of love and gratitude we have for you, you have been God sent all the way and the biggest breakthrough of our lives. It is almost getting to a year now since we made this pact right?"

They all nodded, each fighting with tears.

“It’s so hard to say goodbye,” Maxwell said and they all laughed again brushing the tears from their eyes.

THE TWELVE-Chapter 3, episode 2

As he spoke the sample of the camp was being projected on the big screen behind and everybody could see.

“See how far this street boys have come, if you doubt any testimony believe this one today that God does turn people’s mess into a great message, a message that will be heard from generations to generations if you only give him a chance. Life could be so bitter but you must believe that it also gets better and this will be the children’s world, it is not going to be the best place to be in the world because of its luxury and beauty or because you will get free access to meeting the spice and interact with them, it is going to be the best place in the world when the ignorant get in there and find knowledge, wisdom and understanding, when the hopeless finds hope, when the deaf, dumb, blind and lame gets there and begin to hear, speak, see and walk, when total starvation comes to an end and the sick receive their health, when dreams become a reality and purposes fulfilled. Then that will qualify this camp, the best place to be and we don’t expect to achieve this in one day for we have learned throughout our experience that it is with patience and consistency that a great lasting work is being achieved and only in continuity can you get strong results. Parents join us for we will need you, we will need your expertise in raising responsible children and we will need your prayers and blessings to keep moving forward. Thank you all and may the lord bless the operations of the children’s world in this camp and around the world.”

There was a great round of applause as Michael joined back in the line and the choir continued singing. On that day the children’s world was launched and many people believed in the beauty of that dream for they saw its future and were ready to invest in it any way they could.

                Jakes visited Randy in prison. When the warder brought him out, he was pleased seeing him there, though Jakes did not recognize his presence. The warder left them alone.

“What are you doing here?”

Jakes heard his voice, and then he looked at him

“Randy, it has been a long time” he finally said.

“Yes it has” he said as he sat down, “and I’m getting used to it”.

“You are not blaming anybody for this. Are you?”

Randy looked at him and smiled.

“Anyway, I came to tell you that the twelve had reconciliation with us and their lawyer. They just finished launching their dream children’s world and Duncan was the guest artist at that grand opening,”

Randy became tensed. “Damn it. I knew those kids were up to something”.

“And we just found out that you were planning to rob a vision, something that might save your own children, that is, if you will ever have one. That is a cruel thing to do.”

“You speak as if you are on the righteous side. Listen to me Jakes, you and your men will always be a part in the lives of those kids…”

“We just had reconciliation”. He interrupted.

Randy looked at him. “Tell me Jakes, what is your next plan for those kids? What?”

“You know, if I were you I will look for a perfect way to reconcile with my own self. I’ve got no plans for the twelve Randy. This is what I did to make peace with myself; I set them free, destroyed the contract and let their relationship with Duncan flow”

“What about the company?”

“It’s none of your business. I’m asking for your release Randy, not to come and hatch more of your evil schemes on the twelve or on anyone else, look for something better to do with your life.” Jakes stood up and walked out. Randy thought through alone.

The next day, the twelve sat again with the children in their hall to talk less and plan more.

“Finally, we are done with our launch.” Larry said. “Now is the time to work. We are going to explore Africa and bring out all those children who, because of them, we have the children’s crisis. We will get the governments authorization to bring them to the camp, train them and teach them how to fulfill purpose. We have chosen six countries to explore. You know the twelve cannot be in one place, so we decided to share ourselves into six pairs; Michael and Shelly to explore Kenya, Shania and myself to explore Zimbabwe, Cindy and Max to explore Sudan, Ben and Lindsay to explore Liberia, Ken and Zodiac to explore Rwanda and our babes Maul and Zed to explore Sierra Leone ”. He smiled.

“In a while,” Michael continued, “this is called missions and we will have four of you go with each group while the rest of you will stay back to pray, Anastasia will be your leader for the six months we will be away and we’ll always make sure you know everything happening with us that way. Thank you all for your efforts and keep up the good work.” They all smiled.

THE TWELVE- Chapter 3,episode 1

They clapped as the children walked in, they couldn’t understand the kind of dance they wanted to do because they came in with different attires. The street dance, the ballet, the tango and the hip hop dance was combined to form a perfect choreography. People had never seen a thing like that before, such great creativity coming from people they could have least expected. Some young teenagers and young adults who watched from the crowd made up their minds to be a part of whatever was going on in the children’s world because of what they saw, the setting was incredible and their performance was done ten minutes.

“Wow,” The MC said and people could not stop clapping, she waited for about forty seconds, then the audience relaxed giving her space to speak.

“That was incredible right? She asked smiling and the audience screamed again.

“Thank you all very much. Parents and guidance don’t be too shocked okay. Your kids are God’s design and there’s nothing he withheld from us, the reason what it was not seen was because they were not yet given the chance to express themselves from the point they could speak best and this is what the dream is all about, bringing young people to the realization of all the gifts and talents God has given them, teach them how to use it to serve God and bless their world.”

The audience agreed with her some by clapping and some by shouting and some by nodding.

“The time has come for the official launching of the children’s world, it is the reason why we all came here and I will be welcoming the people that will launch this world open for its full operation.”

People knew without any doubt that she was going to introduce the twelve. They were waiting and anxious and those who had never seen them were shaking, ninety percent of the audience was up on their feet.

“Join me welcome the children’s world choir…..”

Though people didn’t expect that, they clapped and screamed but in their minds they asked, ‘where is the twelve?’ as the screaming and clapping went on the lights on the stage went off and after two seconds the curtain behind the stage was pulled opened with white light focused on the choir only. The girls on both sides were dressed in white robes and the boys in the middle were dressed in red robes. The song started with an intro from the choir:

(Dr……ea…… m hum) 3x

(Dr……ea……. M hum) 3x

After that intro that was done perfectly by the choir in one voice, the piano started playing a sweet melody slowly, then the violins came in, then the rhythm guitar, then the organs and lights shone on them as they played. This instrumental display went on for one minute then a voice started singing:

I had a dream, to see an end,

I had a life, to live for that…….

Before the crowd could make out the voice, the twelve walked majestically into the stage all dressed like the choir, boys in red, girls in white and they stood from Zed who was singing the song to Michael and from Maul who stood beside Zed to Shelly who stood beside Michael. The crowd went wild with excitement; in all they did they saw perfect equality and undivided unity amongst the twelve and the children. The twelve stood in a straight line without shading the choir because they were a step higher than them on the stage and at close proximity.  The song went on…....

Shelly: and now the dream….. To become once again…..

Maul: is now at peace….. In my heart today…..

Michael: I was a boy, with no trace of believes…. (With full instruments)

Larry: doubting every moment in my life…….

Zodiac: and I was a girl, with no hope left in me…..

Ken and Shania: living a life of fear and no believe…….

Lindsay: but now I’m raising my voice…….

Maxwell:  that’s because of my dream……

Ben: and now I’m raising my voice…….

Cindy: because the hope is built in me…..

The entire choir: I had a dream (I had a dream)

To see an end (to see an end)

I had a life (I had a life)

To live for that (to live for that)

And now the dream…To become once again

Is now at peace in my heart today,

And now the dream…….. To become once again,

Is now achieved in the world today…….

The choir sang the four last lines four times and as those in crowd heard it and saw the passion and conviction in which the twelve and the choir sang the song, some had tears in their eyes, some were perplexed and some had their hands glued to their mouth. In that mood Michael stepped forward and the choir just hummed quietly to the song.

“It is with great joy in our hearts to officially launch the operation and functioning of the children’s world,” Michael said and people screamed and clapped. Most of the girls and the boys in the twelve and the choir had tears rolling down their cheeks, they held their hands together and the choir did same.

“You may not understand the toil, the pain, the feeling of rejection and discomfort we have experienced. We had to fight to keep ourselves unspotted from the streets, we had to beg and bow and lick up the dust from peoples feet just to get a meal for a day. Luckily for us we heard the message of salvation at a very tender age and made a decision to believe in it. The bible was the only book we were opportune to read from day to day because we were closed up from other information’s around the world and we could only see how wickedly mankind treats itself. This bible was given to us by some missionaries who came to show their own way of charity but most street children and orphans will not want to listen to them, besides what will a hungry stomach get from you just speaking words and how will they get a bible they can’t even read. Though sometimes they gave us food and a little education but it was never enough, with this bible we read the stories of people whom God picked from the lowest backgrounds, the most insignificant and all he did was gave them a word and their faith in that word built their universe. We looked at people like David, young David was given an extraordinary gift by God and as he stayed focus on God serving him from that tender age God used him to do great things in his time and in his community, he was anointed king at that tender age and though he was being chased here and there by king Saul and other enemies he was a king to the greatest kingdom in the earth. Then we began to wonder, I might just be a king of some great kingdom, maybe the president of a country or maybe a great singer or great pastor though I am here stalking the streets for food and shelter……. Look at the story of the Israelites, from one insignificant man became the source through which all the nations of the earth are being blessed. Each time we look at our fellow mates on the streets being beaten, insulted and abused, each time a young boy gets beaten and arrested for stealing because he was too hungry and no one cared to help we think…… this might be a president or a great business entrepreneur but because of poor orientation and lack of opportunity these intelligent, gifted young people cannot achieve their dreams or become what they were meant to be. We were given the opportunity by God to survive, so we could help others survive, we were led to know the truth so we could tell it to the others in a way they will best understand.

Then this dream was born in our hearts, from all what we studied in the bible we realized that God is mostly interested in very small things. He uses the smallest things, the foolish things and the weakest things to make something great and something beautiful out of them and that’s why we want to tell all our fellow mates come and discover for yourself what you are capable of, give God a chance to turn your stupidity into the greatest invention that has ever been. We took a very big risk trying to get to the spice because we believed without any doubt that together we can make this work, we were not coming to join the spice so we could be superstars, we were coming to tell them about the dream and as blessed as they are, they made the dream a part of them, it became their dream as well and that’s why we are here together like this……………

A boys meeting with God.

Hi lovely people. I am so happy being here and able to return back to writing this blog. Its been a while since I posted the 12, believe me their journey continues and its coming to the point where the reason for the 12 will be clearly seen.  Chapter 3 is coming soon.

Its been a whole lot of 3 months and through out my work and search,  I came to realize  2 things. 2 important lessons I learn and will love to share with you all in the form of what I know how to do almost best. Writing and telling a story. I hope you can read and decode the lessons hidden in the story.

 Story: Little Boy’s Meeting with God

There once was a little boy who wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with Twinkies and 6 tins of milk shake and started his journey. When he had gone about three blocks, he met an old woman. She was sitting in the park just staring at some pigeons.

  The boy sat down next to her and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his milk shake when he noticed that the old lady looked hungry, so he offered her a Twinkie. She gratefully accepted it and smiled at him. Her smile was so pretty that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered her a milk shake.  Once again she smiled at him. The boy was delighted! They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word.

  As it grew dark, the boy realized how tired he was, and he got up to leave but before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around, ran back to the old woman and gave her a hug. She gave him her biggest smile ever. When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, “What did you do today that made you so happy?” He replied, “I had lunch with God.” But, before his mother could respond, he added, “You know what? She’s got the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen!”

  Meanwhile, the old woman, also radiant with joy, returned to her home. Her son was stunned by the look of peace on her face and he asked, “Mother, what did you do today that made you so happy?” She replied, “I ate Twinkies in the park with God.” But, before her son responded, she added, “You know, he’s much younger than I expected.”

 please enable to leave a comment on what lessons you picked from the story.

Its all about love and purity. God Bless  you.

CHAPTER TWO THE 12: The Vision Made Plain (Episode 9)

“How are you feeling,” He asked him when he was done.

“I don’t know,” Duncan slowly replied.

“Your vitals are normal, you are getting better.”

“How was I brought here?” he asked.

“I don’t know how but I can tell you when.” The doctor replied.

“When,”

“Two weeks ago,”

“I’ve been unconscious for two weeks?”

“Yes and some few hours,”

“Who came for me?”

“Jan and Chris but mostly Chris…… the twelve was here once too,”

That surprised Duncan. “The twelve,”

“Yeah, they want you to recover badly. They will be here again.”

               Duncan was thinking greatly as the doctor left him with the nurse to finish up the checkups. Why will the twelve want him to recover badly, was it to take him to jail? Maybe they wanted to bring him to jail to join Randy. He thought of a way he might escape if he was strong enough but he couldn’t for he felt like his feet couldn’t carry his body at the moment.

    

            The twelve sat to take breakfast with the same people they met when they got into Moscow’s house, the meal was delicious and they twelve enjoyed it.

“How is the search for the land coming along?” Ro asked

“The people we asked help from to search for the land told us that they got two lands,” Zodiac replied.

“Equal sizes,” Maul added. “One in Gabane and the other in labotse,” she got the pronunciation correct and her colleagues smiled.

“Where are those places found?” Lennon asked.

“Botswana, our country,” Zed replied.

Everybody was okay with it but only jakes felt like puking.

“Sorry,” he said chocking, and then he served water for himself and drank.

“Which of the towns did you chose?” Moscow asked.

“Labotse,” Larry replied.

“But why Africa?" Lennon asked again.

“We don’t really have to answer you that question,” Cindy reacted “Do we?

Lennon was almost forgetting the fact that the twelve won’t trust him again that easily. He lowered his head.

“The dream was born in Africa,” Shelly replied. “So it should be established in Africa,”

They all understood their point and found it brilliant.

“When are you going back twelve,” Chris asked. “So I can hitch a ride with you.”

“We are leaving this night,” Shania said.

“So soon,” Moscow asked.

“I really have you to talk to you twelve,” Lennon beckoned.

“Sorry Mr. Lennon, we have a lot to do and we left an unfinished work behind, Lindsay said. “Maybe after our launch before we take our separate ways to the different African countries we’ve chosen to explore.”

“You are going to Africa?” Leon asked

“Yes, we are going to bring the street children and all the orphans to the camp.” Maxwell said. “That’s how the world will learn of the new world,”

“Plus we need to see Duncan,” Ken said.

“Why must you see him?” Jakes asked.

“W e had an unfinished deal with him,” Cindy replied.

“The concert,”

“Yes Mr. Jakes,” Ben replied. “The concert but he will be staring as a guest artist for the launching program.”

Jan and Chris loved the idea, they smiled at each other.

“That will be a wonderful thing to do,” Rubel told them.

“This might probably be another surprise for you,” Moscow said. “Budget for the building of the camp is available.”

The twelve’s eyes widen in surprise.

“I and Rubel organized a fund raising program for the camp, we showed the sample to as many people as possible and their response was really positive and there the budget is complete. Right now the building plan is in the hands of professional three architects and info has been sent to builders in and out of the country so they can get themselves prepared to take the contract.”

The twelve went speechless, the joy of that news overwhelmed their hearts and those watching at them had a delightful smile for they loved seeing them that way, happy and satisfied.

            The twelve were back to New York with Jan and Chris who followed them in the helicopter, Ro and Jo had to stay back because they needed to bring Moscow and the architects to Labotse Botswana to survey the land and confirm its spatial features to contain the camp. Immediately the twelve arrived their home, washed up and got into something clean and good they headed for the hospital because they had received a voice mail from the doctor that Duncan had regained consciousness. Few minutes later, the twelve were at the hospital surrounding Duncan who couldn’t stand the sight of them. He wished they didn’t come to see him.

“Duncan,” Ken called.

“What are you doing here?” Duncan asked, he was harsh,

“Duncan……..” Larry called.

“What do you want from me,” he interrupted. “The concert has been canceled right? What else now?”

“You knew about that paper signed by our lawyer and Jakes right?” Cindy said, her words were attacking,

“And so what if I knew? You want to send me to jail?”

“That was the initial plan,” Shania told him.

“W e are not going to send you to jail,” Ken told him. Calming the tension. "Rather we have an invitation for you. The twelve will like you to be a guest singer at the launching of their organization, the children’s world.”

“You own that organization?” Duncan asked with a glassy eye.

“The one you donated to,” Larry said. “Yes,”

Ken dropped the invitation beside him on his bed where his hand could reach.

“We are free now,” Maul told him. “Just so you know our lawyer showed up and signed us out completely. We hold no grudge against you Duncan, join us.”

               The twelve didn’t plan on staying with Duncan for long, they left when they had delivered their message to him.

             A day to the launching, the twelve and all the children gathered together for their final rehearsal. It wasn’t as intense as the former days because they were doing some sort of warm up just perfect what they had already practiced and to equally have a bonding time before their different performances which was to take place the next day. They were surprised to see Duncan visit them at the hall that evening, the twelve knew he had come for them so they excused themselves from the other children and attended to him. They watched the dance group perfect their styles and they found their moves perfect.

“They are doing great,” Duncan said.

“They have been practicing for close to a month now,” Michael commented.

“This is our dream Duncan,” Ben told him. “To raise a generation of great young people who has their faith built in God and believe in the gift he has placed in them. Children who will live with a sense of responsibility and understanding that someday they will have to answer to this God who created them.”

“And with that understanding they will fulfill their different purposes on earth,” Larry added.

“I pray they won’t end up like me,” Duncan said. “Who discovered his purpose and yet keeps failing to accomplish it.”

“Maybe because you haven’t been given an opportunity on the right platform,” Shelly said. “I bet you Duncan if you will turn your back from your pride and accept this platform tomorrow,” she pointed at the stage. “You won’t regret it. This is where dreams come through.”

Duncan thought for a while.

“I will accept it,” Duncan said. “I’m still alive and the talent is still in me, maybe it’s high time I begin to appreciate God for giving me a gift rather than always complaining about it.”

“Now that’s the spirit,” Ken said nodding his head.

“Common,” Zed stood up. “You need to rehearse your song for tomorrow. The instrumentalist will work with you and if you need backups, we’ve got really good ones.”

“Won’t you guy’s duet with me?” he asked.

“No Duncan, we want to give you your spotlight, this is your time and only you should be seen.” Shania replied him.

“Come with me.” Zed said

And he followed him to the stage, Duncan got introduced to the kids and he was amazed that his instrumentalists were going to be young kids from age sixteen to twenty. He laid out the song and they were able to pick the lines and flowed with it.

                 The next day at 3:00PM  the hall began the fill up with parents, grandparents, guardians and some abstract people who got the news and the invitation through social media and on TV and radio stations. Many young people came to actually see what the twelve was up to again, though the population was not up to that of the twelve’s concert but the hall was filled to the brim with people like Moscow, Rubel, Jakes and his men, Lennon, Chris and Jan who came to support the twelve. For Chris and Jan, they were very happy to have known that the twelve gave Duncan the chance to make his dream come through on a day like that. The program was being aired on the main stream media’s and some people who didn’t have the opportunity to be  in the hall at that time just watched on screen but for Randy, he only heard of it and with so much regret wished he could have been patient enough for that was the treasure he had been obsessing about. At 5:00Pm sharp the program started with a young girl of about eighteen properly and decently dressed. She walked to the stage that was well organized with a broad smile on her face; she was the only one on stage with the microphone in her hands. All the other kids were back stage praying and asking God for his help and guidance.

“Parents, grandparents, guardians, friends and neighbors a good evening to you,” she said with a lovely voice and the response was positive.

“I welcome you the official launch of a great vision and a great dream called the children’s world. We are not here to entertain you; rather we are here to open your eyes to see the beauty of a future that has been termed impossible by us humans. Just like the bible says write the vision and make it plain so that those who read it will run with it, we are here to make this vision plain to you so that you all will hold our hands and run this vision with us for no matter how intelligent a child is he or she will always need the instruction and guidance of a good parent either blood related or not.”

There was applause.

She went on. “Thank you, right now we are going to be calling on the one who makes all things possible, the God above all gods, the one who gives us life and the one who made this possible. Rise up on your feet as I invite Pastor Nelson to come lead us in prayer.”

Immediately the pastor walked to the stage as everybody got on their feet. He was pastor to the church the twelve attended.

“Bless you,” He said as he was handed the Microphone. “Almighty God, father of our lord Jesus Christ who is lord of our lives and possessor of our souls, lord Jesus we hail you this moment for this is the day that you have made for us your people to rejoice and be glad in it. We crown you master of this ceremony as we are here minister to our spirit the truth that will make us free with every passing activity on this stage, open our eyes to the reality of this dream and open our hearts to believe in its possibility. Let your angels minister to us I pray thee father, let them minister to us the same mind set you have given to these kids concerning this dream so that we all can unanimously run with it for the expansion of your kingdom and to the glory of your most holy name. In Jesus name we pray amen,”

And everybody else responded. “Amen.” And with a round of applause they took their sits.

“Thank you pastor Nelson,” the girl said. “We have a surprise package for you all and he will be singing for us live. Please make welcome with a round of applause Duncan steech,” she left the stage and Duncan came in as the audience clapped for him.

“Thank you all very much for coming,” He said. “I am must honored to be here on this platform today. Before I begin, show some love to my young instrumentalist……..”

People started clapping when they saw the young boys and girls take their position on their different instruments. Most of the girls played the organ and the violin which they loved and some parents could make out their children on the stage as they smiled back at the waving hands, some of them were going to see their children play the instrument for their first time, the parents were touched and they felt so good about it.

“They are not my instrumentalist actually,” Duncan said when the children were settled. “They were trained and polished here and they are great.”

There was applause.

“I am very grateful to the twelve and the children’s world for giving me this opportunity and this song I will be singing is dedicated to the children’s world and to every child who have lost something precious, it will be alright just believe and hope for a better day.”

The song started with the violin and the organs, then the entire crew joined in. The lyrics of Duncan’s song was talking about those kids who had lost their parents, their purity, their dignity and their anchor for life. He was telling them it will be alright for salvation was coming their way. Duncan was blessing the children’s world and at the same time fulfilling his dream of singing in a crowd of thousands. His song was great and inspiring and the people loved it. When he was done people were standing up and clapping, some had tears on their eyes and even Jakes could not deny the fact that he was touched. The young MC came back on stage to continue with the program.

“Thank you Duncan,” she said. “Amazing song, right about now we have a dance and I believe some parents will be seeing their children for the first time doing what they love. Make welcome the children’s world dance crew…”

CHAPTER TWO THE 12: The Vision Made Plain (Final Episode of this chapter)

They clapped as the children walked in, they couldn’t understand the kind of dance they wanted to do because they came in with different attires. The street dance, the ballet, the tango and the hip hop dance was combined to form a perfect choreography. People had never seen a thing like that before, such great creativity coming from people they could have least expected. Some young teenagers and young adults who watched from the crowd made up their minds to be a part of whatever was going on in the children’s world because of what they saw, the setting was incredible and their performance was done ten minutes.

“Wow,” The MC said and people could not stop clapping, she waited for about forty seconds, then the audience relaxed giving her space to speak.

“That was incredible right? She asked smiling and the audience screamed again.

“Thank you all very much. Parents and guidance don’t be too shocked okay. Your kids are God’s design and there’s nothing he withheld from us, the reason what it was not seen was because they were not yet given the chance to express themselves from the point they could speak best and this is what the dream is all about, bringing young people to the realization of all the gifts and talents God has given them, teach them how to use it to serve God and bless their world.”

The audience agreed with her some by clapping and some by shouting and some by nodding.

“The time has come for the official launching of the children’s world, it is the reason why we all came here and I will be welcoming the people that will launch this world open for its full operation.”

People knew without any doubt that she was going to introduce the twelve. They were waiting and anxious and those who had never seen them were shaking, ninety percent of the audience was up on their feet.

“Join me welcome the children’s world choir…..”

Though people didn’t expect that, they clapped and screamed but in their minds they asked, ‘where is the twelve?’ as the screaming and clapping went on the lights on the stage went off and after two seconds the curtain behind the stage was pulled opened with white light focused on the choir only. The girls on both sides were dressed in white robes and the boys in the middle were dressed in red robes. The song started with an intro from the choir:

(Dr……ea…… m hum) 3x

(Dr……ea……. M hum) 3x

After that intro that was done perfectly by the choir in one voice, the piano started playing a sweet melody slowly, then the violins came in, then the rhythm guitar, then the organs and lights shone on them as they played. This instrumental display went on for one minute then a voice started singing:

I had a dream, to see an end,

I had a life, to live for that…….

Before the crowd could make out the voice, the twelve walked majestically into the stage all dressed like the choir, boys in red, girls in white and they stood from Zed who was singing the song to Michael and from Maul who stood beside Zed to Shelly who stood beside Michael. The crowd went wild with excitement; in all they did they saw perfect equality and undivided unity amongst the twelve and the children. The twelve stood in a straight line without shading the choir because they were a step higher than them on the stage and at close proximity.  The song went on…....

Shelly: and now the dream….. To become once again…..

Maul: is now at peace….. In my heart today…..

Michael: I was a boy, with no trace of believes…. (With full instruments)

Larry: doubting every moment in my life…….

Zodiac: and I was a girl, with no hope left in me…..

Ken and Shania: living a life of fear and no believe…….

Lindsay: but now I’m raising my voice…….

Maxwell:  that’s because of my dream……

Ben: and now I’m raising my voice…….

Cindy: because the hope is built in me…..

The entire choir: I had a dream (I had a dream)

To see an end (to see an end)

I had a life (I had a life)

To live for that (to live for that)

And now the dream…To become once again

Is now at peace in my heart today,

And now the dream…….. To become once again,

Is now achieved in the world today…….

The choir sang the four last lines four times and as those in crowd heard it and saw the passion and conviction in which the twelve and the choir sang the song, some had tears in their eyes, some were perplexed and some had their hands glued to their mouth. In that mood Michael stepped forward and the choir just hummed quietly to the song.

“It is with great joy in our hearts to officially launch the operation and functioning of the children’s world,” Michael said and people screamed and clapped. Most of the girls and the boys in the twelve and the choir had tears rolling down their cheeks, they held their hands together and the choir did same.

“You may not understand the toil, the pain, the feeling of rejection and discomfort we have experienced. We had to fight to keep ourselves unspotted from the streets, we had to beg and bow and lick up the dust from peoples feet just to get a meal for a day. Luckily for us we heard the message of salvation at a very tender age and made a decision to believe in it. The bible was the only book we were opportune to read from day to day because we were closed up from other information’s around the world and we could only see how wickedly mankind treats itself. This bible was given to us by some missionaries who came to show their own way of charity but most street children and orphans will not want to listen to them, besides what will a hungry stomach get from you just speaking words and how will they get a bible they can’t even read. Though sometimes they gave us food and a little education but it was never enough, with this bible we read the stories of people whom God picked from the lowest backgrounds, the most insignificant and all he did was gave them a word and their faith in that word built their universe. We looked at people like David, young David was given an extraordinary gift by God and as he stayed focus on God serving him from that tender age God used him to do great things in his time and in his community, he was anointed king at that tender age and though he was being chased here and there by king Saul and other enemies he was a king to the greatest kingdom in the earth. Then we began to wonder, I might just be a king of some great kingdom, maybe the president of a country or maybe a great singer or great pastor though I am here stalking the streets for food and shelter……. Look at the story of the Israelites, from one insignificant man became the source through which all the nations of the earth are being blessed. Each time we look at our fellow mates on the streets being beaten, insulted and abused, each time a young boy gets beaten and arrested for stealing because he was too hungry and no one cared to help we think…… this might be a president or a great business entrepreneur but because of poor orientation and lack of opportunity these intelligent, gifted young people cannot achieve their dreams or become what they were meant to be. We were given the opportunity by God to survive, so we could help others survive, we were led to know the truth so we could tell it to the others in a way they will best understand.

Then this dream was born in our hearts, from all what we studied in the bible we realized that God is mostly interested in very small things. He uses the smallest things, the foolish things and the weakest things to make something great and something beautiful out of them and that’s why we want to tell all our fellow mates come and discover for yourself what you are capable of, give God a chance to turn your stupidity into the greatest invention that has ever been. We took a very big risk trying to get to the spice because we believed without any doubt that together we can make this work, we were not coming to join the spice so we could be superstars, we were coming to tell them about the dream and as blessed as they are, they made the dream a part of them, it became their dream as well and that’s why we are here together like this……………

As he spoke the sample of the camp was being projected on the big screen behind and everybody could see.

“See how far this street boys have come, if you doubt any testimony believe this one today that God does turn people’s mess into a great message, a message that will be heard from generations to generations if you only give him a chance. Life could be so bitter but you must believe that it also gets better and this will be the children’s world, it is not going to be the best place to be in the world because of its luxury and beauty or because you will get free access to meeting the spice and interact with them, it is going to be the best place in the world when the ignorant get in there and find knowledge, wisdom and understanding, when the hopeless finds hope, when the deaf, dumb, blind and lame gets there and begin to hear, speak, see and walk, when total starvation comes to an end and the sick receive their health, when dreams become a reality and purposes fulfilled. Then that will qualify this camp, the best place to be and we don’t expect to achieve this in one day for we have learned throughout our experience that it is with patience and consistency that a great lasting work is being achieved and only in continuity can you get strong results. Parents join us for we will need you, we will need your expertise in raising responsible children and we will need your prayers and blessings to keep moving forward. Thank you all and may the lord bless the operations of the children’s world in this camp and around the world.”

There was a great round of applause as Michael joined back in the line and the choir continued singing. On that day the children’s world was launched and many people believed in the beauty of that dream for they saw its future and were ready to invest in it any way they could.

                Jakes visited Randy in prison. When the warder brought him out, he was pleased seeing him there, though Jakes did not recognize his presence. The warder left them alone.

“What are you doing here?”

Jakes heard his voice, and then he looked at him

“Randy, it has been a long time” he finally said.

“Yes it has” he said as he sat down, “and I’m getting used to it”.

“You are not blaming anybody for this. Are you?”

Randy looked at him and smiled.

“Anyway, I came to tell you that the twelve had reconciliation with us and their lawyer. They just finished launching their dream children’s world and Duncan was the guest artist at that grand opening,”

Randy became tensed. “Damn it. I knew those kids were up to something”.

“And we just found out that you were planning to rob a vision, something that might save your own children, that is, if you will ever have one. That is a cruel thing to do.”

“You speak as if you are on the righteous side. Listen to me Jakes, you and your men will always be a part in the lives of those kids…”

“We just had reconciliation”. He interrupted.

Randy looked at him. “Tell me Jakes, what is your next plan for those kids? What?”

“You know, if I were you I will look for a perfect way to reconcile with my own self. I’ve got no plans for the twelve Randy. This is what I did to make peace with myself; I set them free, destroyed the contract and let their relationship with Duncan flow”

“What about the company?”

“It’s none of your business. I’m asking for your release Randy, not for you to come and hatch more of your evil schemes on the twelve or on anyone else, look for something better to do with your life.” Jakes stood up and walked out. Randy thought through alone.

  The next day, the twelve sat again with the children in their hall to talk less and plan more.

“Finally, we are done with our launch.” Larry said. “Now is the time to work. We are going to explore Africa and bring out all those children who, because of them, we have the children’s crisis. We will get the governments authorization to bring them to the camp, train them and teach them how to fulfill purpose. We have chosen six countries to explore. You know the twelve cannot be in one place, so we decided to share ourselves into six pairs; Michael and Shelly to explore Kenya, Shania and myself to explore Zimbabwe, Cindy and Max to explore Sudan, Ben and Lindsay to explore Liberia, Ken and Zodiac to explore Rwanda and our babes Maul and Zed to explore Sierra Leone ”. He smiled.

“In a while,” Michael continued, “this is called missions and we will have four of you go with each group while the rest of you will stay back to pray, Anastasia will be your leader for the six months we will be away and we’ll always make sure you know everything happening with us that way. Thank you all for your efforts and keep up the good work.” They all smiled.

The next day, the twelve had a meeting with all the elderly people they now had in their lives. They sat in Rubel’s meeting room to talk about their departure which was the next day.

“So you’re leaving tomorrow?” Moscow asked, he also acted like a father to the twelve and it gave him great joy for all he had been blessed with in this life, there was an emptiness of not having a child in him but ever since he met the twelve, it felt to him like the void had been filled.

“Tomorrow is that day,” Shelly said.

There was so much sorrow in the hearts of them all but they could not express it.

“What are the things you will need for the journey?” he asked again.

“Nothing for now Mr. Moscow,” Ken replied.

“I should run some errands for you,” Lennon pleaded. “As your lawyer……”

“Formal lawyer,” Shania interrupted. “As it is now, we don’t have a lawyer,”

“Common Shania,” Ro said. “Even so, you need people like him to prove to the government officials that whatever you’re doing is legal and that they can trust the welfare of the street children and orphans in the camp,”

“We understand your point but thanks,” Cindy said. “It won’t be necessary.”

“It is necessary,” Rubel told her. “For a lawyer to or lawyers to back you up in ventures like this,”

“Mr. Rubel, we understand your point,” Maxwell said. “But believe me we don’t need that right now.”

“If we ever need help in that area,” Michael said. “Mr. Lennon will be the first person we will call.”

“I’m so ashamed of myself,” Lennon said. “You kids have grown up already; you now know how to handle your affairs all by yourselves,”

“Why won’t they?” Jakes asked him. “You left them and they had to survive with or without your council and as you can see they did survive, they are over you.”

“No, no, Jakes,” Chris said. “That’s not a very nice thing to say.”

“What, I said nothing but the truth right?”

“Stop picking on him Jakes,” Jan said. “That’s not the reason why we are here.”

“Twelve,” Leon said. “I am sorry for whatever wrong I did to you. I am so proud of you kids, glad I was a part of your life,”

“Thanks Leon,” Lindsay said.

Benedict and Harrison were still feeling embarrassed to talk so they kept quiet all through.

“What about your ride?” Moscow asked.

“I booked tickets for them on different planes,” Ro said. “They all will be leaving tomorrow afternoon.”

“What about accommodation?” Rubel asked.

“W e will take care of that when we get to our destinations,” Larry replied.

“You know I still would have loved if somebody elderly could go with you,”

“They can’t.” Maul told Moscow. “We are going to be fine and we don’t want our fans to know about our departure, we don’t want a crowd at the airport please Mr. Harrison and Benedict,”

“Why do you think we will tell the fans about your leaving?” Harrison asked.

“I don’t know,” Maul replied. “For some reasons you always do,”

Everybody else smiled except for Maul and Harrison.

“How will you handle the ones in the plane?” Chris asked.

“W e can bear that,” Zodiac said.

“Ok,” Moscow stood. “With all said, we will meet you guys at the airport tomorrow.”

“What time?” Chris asked.

“2:00Pm,” Ro replied.

“Thank you all for your support,” Shelly said. “We lack words to express our heartfelt gratitude.”

They all smiled and nodded. The twelve stood.

“We beg to leave you now,” Ben said. “We still have things to pack.”

All the gentle men and the lady stood as well, as they gave their goodbyes with much sorrow in their hearts knowing that by that same time tomorrow the twelve will leave them for a land that is so unpredictable.