I worked with my mentor for a year or so. It was time for me to go for NYSC. I really wanted to leave Osun State, I had been there for seven years. The need for a change of environment was imminent. I began to look forward to being posted outside of Osun State. I had plans in my head about how my service year was going to be. How I was going to compose myself, where I would live, etc. I was super happy when I discovered that I was posted to Oyo State. Yaaaaaaaaaaaah! I started making preparation to relocate and all.

When it was time to move, I did. We were to have a three-week orientation camp first, before being posted to our places of primary assignment, where we would spend the rest of the year. I arrived at the camp early enough. I was able to overcome the hassles of registration and accommodation and getting settled before the morning drills started. We were trained like soldiers during this three-week orientation. We would wake up 5:00am for morning drills, we will be there till 8:00am. After that, we would go freshen up, have breakfast, attend lectures, go have lunch, nap and go back for games in the evening.

Coping with the Drill

After few days of morning drill, I couldn’t keep up. I had to devise a means of escape. When my room mates leave in the morning, I would hide beneath my duvet. The last person to leave the room would announce to be sure there was no one left behind, I would keep mute, and when she leaves I would get out of bed, take a deep breath and go back to bed. I did this successfully for a couple of days until I was caught. I did not know how the soldiers knew some of us corps members stayed back in the room. They got the keys to the rooms and searched every room. We were two in my room that stayed back, we were obviously caught and punished.

How I lost my important document

During registration, we were handed series of documents (hard copy). I misplaced one of these documents, which was very unusual of me. This document is one of those that cannot be re-issued, you have to tender it in order to receive your NYSC certificate at the end of the year.

I searched everywhere for this document but did not find it. I prayed to God telling Him I want the document found. After which, I spoke with some of the officials about it and they said there was nothing they could do to help. I left their office and headed for my room. I had barely stepped out of the office when I met this tall, dark man. This was my first time of seeing him, In fact, from the discussion we had later, he just arrived at the camp the previous day.

I can’t remember how the conversation started, and he asked if I was okay. I obviously wasn’t and I told him. He asked to know why I wasn’t okay, and I told him about the misplaced document. He asked for my name and I told him. Then, he said he picked up a type of document I was looking for but wasn’t sure if it was my name that was on it. So, we went to his room in the staff quarter. Apparently, he was an official, he was next in rank to the chief commander in charge of our camp.

When we got to their quarters, he told me to wait outside while he goes in to bring the document. He handed it to me, he said that he found it on the ground the previous night. I was so happy and grateful to God because I had searched everywhere I could and didn’t find the document. The document can not be re-issued.

God truly hears prayer

I prayed to God about it and He came through for me. I asked myself; what if I had not prayed? Obviously, the man might not have picked the document when he saw it the previous day. What if I was so engrossed with the problem (finding the document) that I ignored the man when he asked what was wrong with me? I could have concluded that he wanted to ask me out or something and just ignore him. But thank God I prayed.

Learn how my work with God began

A lot of things happen when we pray, we might not see those things physically, but trust me, things happen when we pray. Also, I want to say this to you that; “God answers prayer.” No matter what it is you have asked God in prayer, believe He has done it. Do not entertain doubt. I didn’t get the answer to my prayer the day I prayed, but I believed and I saw the physical manifestation of the answer to my prayer. Do not give up, God will show up for you.

Also, the steps of a righteous man are ordered by the Lord. Why was it that it was when I went lodge a complain about the missing document at the general office that I met this man? God indeed answers prayer. We were posted to our various places of primary assignments. I was posted to a secondary school in Ibadan city where I spent the remaining part of the year as a corps member.