African Entanglement

By Betsy Thomas

Betsy's bold, daring, and adventurous nature lured her thousands of miles away from home and into an African Entanglement's good, foul, and ugly.

The thrill of motorcycle rides and sing-alongs didn't prepare her for what lurked in the shadows. Trapped in a web of lies and surrounded by danger, she survived violent night-time episodes, the threat of kidnapping, and finally, struggled for the will to fight back.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Betsy Thomas
• Release date: Aug 27, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201430146

Betsy Thomas

Betsy Thomas has been a Registered Nurse for over 26 years and is now in the fight against the deadly virus. She continues to write about hope and overcoming the twists and turns of life. Her book to come is called Life Entanglement's, which will also be published in 2021. 

Book preview

Introduction

O

utside it was pitch-dark. The dim street lights were my only hope when he grabbed the key out of the ignition. The car rolled to a stop.

The look he gave was a wicked grin. I'm going to destroy something tonight.

He jumped out of the car, and I gasped. My eyes were squinting as he ran around like a mad man in the grass areas, frantically searching the ground for something.

Watching him felt like I was in a horror movie. The light created a scary shadow that shone around the silhouette of his blacked-out figure. He looked possessed by something evil, and nothing prepared me for what he was about to do.

I could hear the leaves being crushed in his hands while thinking, I'm next. Then he disappeared.

The historical narrative about Africa comes with numerous biases and misconceptions. Imagine the story being told from different perspectives and insights; some riddled with prejudices and others with ill-placed knowledge caked with the lack of motivation to explore the truth. Let's be honest, when minds analyze the African continent, they think of depravity, young children with flies on their faces, and moral decline.

Then there are the voodoo and witchcraft stereotypes. An experience with the mainland is different for every individual, leaving a long-lasting effect on your being…whether negative or positive (though I pray that it’s the latter for you).

Above each country on Earth, spiritual beings; demons reside within the atmosphere, watching and waiting. They attach themselves to like-minded humans, meaning some attract the worst kind.

There is no safe place on Earth.

Let me now introduce you to Jason. This name will reoccur as he is the African that I became intertwined. The events you'll read changed the direction of my future.

To understand my authentic experience, you need to dive into the depths of…my truth.

The profound impact of my entrapment will be experienced by you somehow. Though it is not yours to live, transcending all barriers to touch your heart is a story about mistakes and my steps to redemption. Perhaps it's time to tell the whole story.

CHAPTER 1

Stumbling Block

T

here was no one to share my deepest thoughts or the excitement of my faith. The bouts of isolation seemed unbearable and led to irrational decisions.

Was it always my desire to be socially estranged from others? No, I grew up surrounded by a big family. Still, differing views lead to acts of exclusion.

Have you ever heard of a 'superiority complex’? No tactics are off-limit when people believe their way of thinking is far more significant than others.

Invitations to events never showed. The television emitted sounds of laughter while I sat motionlessly. Throughout the years, I wondered about the ulterior motive for leaving me out. Was it in expectation to view the effects of rejection in my big-screen mistakes?

A soft voice and gently curved hips never exposed the emotional wounds; my brown eyes were the traitor! A victim of many schemes, I mistook a listening ear for love.

Weekdays became a magical playground when I attached myself to a group of church women! Keyboard sounds of clickety-clack traveled thru the air while we searched online for religious programs. Before long, the pitter-patter of our steps led to the hairstylist.

Adorned in new dresses enhanced with a matching hat, we formed a convoy of cars. Our headlights flickered in darkness as we dragged our kids to every new 'prophetic word' around town.

The rhythm & praise ushered us into the room, swaying our limbs from side to side. The loudspeaker delivered a shoutout and introduced us as ordained ministers and pastors. Still, the performance gave insight into the blind leading the blind.

Predictably, the thrill lasted only a few hours before we'd return to social media with woe-is-me complaints.

Sob stories from the clergy friends, and spouses tugged on my financial heartstrings.

When resources became parched, my brother Shenan was dragged into the conspiracy. I was the culprit to persuade him of their need.

For years, the desire to feel like more than just a sponsor was a trick to become a 1-800-marriage support hotline; instead of pointing them to a shrink!

Eventually, their silence was interpreted by my decode skills; 'my name' had become their topic at hand.

Certain ones are only loyal if you stroke the backs of half-truth, so eventually, I was accused of desiring one of their husbands.

'Share a man' has never been an aspired goal on my bucket list; otherwise, I would've kept one of mine!

To them, my personal wins became a stumble of offense with an expectation to 'dumb down.'

Even my educational achievement was coveted as if it were fool-proof. 'But God' chose the excellent paths despite my flaws.

How ironic that they, too, were thinking that the grass was greener on the other side.

Plans of Satan enacted by these 'saints' fed the trauma from a painful past.

CHAPTER 2

Western Union

T

he wisdom of Matthew says, "Which of you if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a snake? You should know how to give good gifts to