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In the wake of the early 18th century when missionary societies of modern Europe began to explore the interior of Africa, the Baptist Missions decided to explore the hinterland of the eastern part of Nigeria. They intended to introduce western education to the locals, this intent they achieved. Some of the young missionaries that were sent had to sail on cargo ships for weeks before they could get to the shores of Lagos. They'd take a rest for about two days before another journey up east from the Lagos motorway will commence.
Since the road networks were still being developed, it was a difficult task traveling on those bad roads. The trip to Enugu where the Baptist Missions' eastern headquarters is located is for about eighteen hours non-stop.
Neville and Josh are the newest missionaries from Scotland on this mission. They settled very quickly in their mission fields in Agwu-a village settlement of predominant farmers and livestock rearers. The mission had instructed them to preach Christ and to win many native souls who would be trained as interpreters and in turn be ordained as ministers.
In quick succession, Nev and Josh got familiarized with the Agwu and its environs. They were warmly accepted by the people for their color pigment. Special attention was given each time they seek the audience of the villagers, to introduce them to this new way of life, Christianity.
The first elementary schools where English alphabets, rhymes, and poems were taught were established in the heart of the village square. Female children sparingly attended the school because it was believed that a female child need not spend too much " knowing book", since their educations end in the kitchen, and their father's name would be all gone as soon as they get married. Some female children still attended the school mostly to learn to read and write in the English language.
Obiageli, one of the converts is the smartest among the students. She learned to read English in just three months. She was quite a damsel, each time she appears, Nev would giggle. Oby, as fondly called by her peers has an eye for fashion. Since she could console arithmetic, her parents decided to send her for a fashion apprenticeship to Lagos where she stayed for a complete year and returned afterward.
Upon her return, a lot of things about her changed. She grew the more beautiful yet soft-spoken. As a missionary, Nev knew that to ask her out isn't as religious as anyone may think, so he decided to follow due process.
The process is to visit her kinsmen with a keg of palm wine to make his intentions known. His palm wine was accepted, meaning that he could proceed on his agenda.
First, Oby was called by her mother to consent to the proposal. In those days, it was considered a huge advantage to have an Onye-Ocha(a white man) as a suitor. So, Oby gladly accepted.
The most difficult aspect of the proceedings was that the Agwu-Agwó the deity of the local people will give final approval by visiting in the image of a live snake.
Agwu people hold the belief that snakes don't hurt people. To date, snakes are not killed within the territory of the people. If such happens, the killer will have to perform a state burial for the snake. This belief still held waters in Agwu-land to date.
This was a shock to Nev. His religion does not believe in such idolatrous thoughts. On the eve of their engagement, a huge boa came visiting Nev. First, he thought it was a dream until the snake curled around him and his body felt the coldness of the crawling snake.
The wedding was the talk of the clan for several period. Oby and Nev got married and had their first child, Nath.
When his missionary activity has been concluded, Nev and his family (Oby and Nath) traveled back to England where they now reside.
Wow, Nev must have been so terrified, I wonder why the snake visited him though