The days following the encounter with darkness were strangely calm, but Blessings knew better than to be lulled into complacency. He had felt the battle firsthand—an unseen war waging for his soul—and it left him with an insatiable desire to prepare himself for what lay ahead. He kept praying, reading his Bible, and listening for the voice that seemed to guide him through the confusion.
But there was still one thing he lacked: understanding. He longed for someone to teach him, to explain the strange experiences that had begun to define his life.
---
It was on an ordinary Tuesday afternoon when his prayer for guidance was answered. School had just ended, and the sun beat down mercilessly as Blessings made his way home. His path took him through the dusty alleys of the compound, past rows of makeshift houses and bustling street vendors.
As he turned a corner near the marketplace, he saw an old man sitting under a large baobab tree. The man's appearance was striking—his dark, weathered skin seemed to hold stories from another time, and his white beard flowed down his chest like a river of wisdom. He wore a simple robe and sandals, and in his hand, he held a staff carved with intricate patterns.
The man's eyes met Blessings', and for a moment, it felt as though time itself had paused.
"Come here, boy," the man said, his voice deep and resonant.
Blessings hesitated, unsure whether to trust the stranger. But something about the man's presence felt familiar, almost comforting. Reluctantly, he approached.
"Do I know you?" Blessings asked, his curiosity piqued.
The old man chuckled. "Not yet," he said cryptically. "But I know you, Peter."
Blessings froze. "How do you know that name?"
The old man leaned on his staff and smiled. "Because it is the name given to you by the One who made you. And it is the name you must grow into."
---
The man introduced himself as Kunda, a traveling teacher and spiritual guide. Though he claimed no formal title, it was clear that his wisdom ran deep.
"I've been watching you, boy," Kunda said as they sat under the tree. "You've been chosen for a great purpose, but you're not ready yet. There is much you must learn."
Blessings frowned. "What kind of purpose? All I've done so far is struggle to understand anything. I don't feel chosen—I feel lost."
Kunda nodded thoughtfully. "That is how all great journeys begin," he said. "The seed does not understand it will one day become a tree, but it grows anyway. You, too, must grow. And growth requires pruning."
---
Over the next few weeks, Blessings began spending his afternoons with Kunda. The old man's teachings were unlike anything Blessings had ever heard. He spoke of the spiritual world with clarity and conviction, explaining how it influenced the physical realm.
"Everything you see," Kunda said one day, "is a shadow of what exists in the spirit. If you learn to see beyond the surface, you will understand the true nature of things."
He taught Blessings about the armor of God, as described in Ephesians, and the importance of prayer, faith, and righteousness. But more than that, he taught Blessings how to listen—to discern the still, small voice of God amidst the noise of the world.
"Your strength does not come from your own efforts," Kunda said. "It comes from surrendering to the One who called you. Trust in Him, and you will find the power you seek."
---
One day, Kunda gave Blessings an unusual assignment.
"Meet me at dawn tomorrow," he said. "There's something you need to see."
The next morning, Blessings woke before the sun and made his way to the baobab tree. Kunda was already there, his staff in hand.
"Follow me," Kunda said, leading Blessings down a narrow path that wound through the outskirts of the compound. They walked in silence, the early morning light casting long shadows across the ground.
After what felt like hours, they arrived at a clearing in the forest. In the center of the clearing stood a large rock, weathered and cracked with age.
Kunda pointed to the rock. "This," he said, "is your lesson for today."
Blessings frowned. "A rock?"
Kunda nodded. "Try to move it."
Blessings hesitated but did as he was told. He pushed and pulled with all his strength, but the rock didn't budge. After several minutes, he collapsed onto the ground, panting.
"It's impossible," he said.
Kunda smiled. "Good. Now that you know your own strength is not enough, we can begin."
---
Kunda spent the next several hours teaching Blessings about faith and reliance on God. He explained how true strength comes not from physical power, but from spiritual alignment.
"The rock is not your enemy," Kunda said. "It is a symbol of the challenges you will face. Some will seem immovable, but with faith, even the greatest obstacles can be overcome."
Blessings listened intently, his frustration giving way to understanding.
---
As the days turned into weeks, Kunda continued to challenge Blessings in ways that stretched his mind, body, and spirit. He had him memorize scriptures, fast, and spend hours in prayer. Each task was designed to build his character and strengthen his faith.
But the training wasn't without its struggles. Blessings often felt inadequate, his doubts threatening to derail his progress.
"I'm not strong enough," he confessed to Kunda one evening.
Kunda placed a hand on his shoulder. "You're right—you're not. But the One who called you is. Trust in Him, and you will find strength beyond your own."
---
One night, Blessings had another dream. He stood before the same glowing figure as before, but this time, he felt a sense of peace rather than fear.
"You are learning, Peter," the figure said. "But the path ahead is long and treacherous. Do not lose heart. I am with you always."
When Blessings woke, he felt a renewed sense of purpose. He didn't understand everything yet, but he was beginning to trust that his journey had a purpose.
With Kunda as his guide, he was slowly being transformed from a boy full of questions into a young man ready to face the hidden battles of life.