Christmas has always come and gone quietly for me.It shows up, we celebrate, we eat, we laugh, and then life continues.I never paid too much attention to wishes.
Christmas was just a date on the calendar and for celebration in churches and in our home.But this Christmas feels different. Very different.This is the first time I am away from home and spending Christmas outside.Away from my family and away from everything familiar.
I answered the clarion call in my country, and from the very beginning of this journey, something has felt off. For some reason, I have not been truly happy since I began the journey.
Let me give you the gist.
When I was first posted, I was sent to a state very far from home.One of the coolest places in the country.At first, I told myself I would survive it, despite the bad news I got, and the far distance from home which took us about 3days to arrive. We finally got there but just a day of staying in camp, my body disagreed with the whole environment. I thought it was something normal, you know that sickness you get because you changed environment but then it grew worse.
The weather dealt with my health badly. So bad I had to be admitted in the camp clinic for medical treatment.My condition deteriorated so much that I had to be rushed back home before my due date.It was so scary for me, I have never been so sick before and it was clear that if I stayed, things could get worse. I got home and I recovered gradually because of the change of weather.
I applied for relocation on health grounds.By God’s mercy, I got relocated to a state closer to my home state.I felt hope again.I thought, finally, this chapter will become easier and I settled down.I secured accommodation by the help of a family member and I hoped for best.
Then yesterday happened.
I received my primary place of assignment letter and my heart broke when I read the content.
I was posted to a place very far from town, an interior village for that matter, it's so remote that I might have to cross a river or use a boat to get there. When I read it, I just stared at the paper.My mind went blank.I would have accepted my fate if I hadn’t tried.If I hadn’t worked hard for a better placement.If I hadn’t spent money and trusted people who promised to help.
But the outcome showed something else.
I was scammed.🤦
That realization hurt more than the posting itself and I somehow regretted why I did the relocation in the first place.I have already secured accommodation where I am.Getting a new one will cost a lot.The type of money I do not have and I can't honestly start all over again.So here I am, days to Christmas, carrying worries instead of joy and trying so hard to be strong, but feeling overwhelmed.
And for the first time, I am making a Christmas wish.
Dear Santa Claus,
If you truly exist, please do something about this.
Let that place be changed.Even if it’s not perfect, let it at least be somewhere in town.
Somewhere accessible with electricity and good network connection so I can continue writing on Hive.I just need somewhere safe.
I don’t usually take wishes seriously but this one matters to me.This one comes from a worried heart that just wants peace.
God, if You are listening too, please step in.
Let this story change.
Let this week bring good news.
That is my Christmas wish. 🎄
P.S: All images are mine and capture with my phone