THE FALLEN ANGEL

3

In 2016, I encountered Tom once more at Kyambogo University. Tom was pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Engineering, while I had enrolled in a Bachelor of Arts in Education, specializing in Literature and English. It was both surprising and inspiring to find that Tom's fervor for the Gospel had not waned. In fact, he had become a prominent leader of one of the mission teams on campus. Knowing Tom from our high school days and trusting in his leadership, I eagerly joined his mission team. I anticipated that this collaboration would be both spiritually fulfilling and enjoyable.

During my second semester, I was honored to be elected as one of the leaders within the Department of Mission Coordinators. This event caused me to reflect on a conversation Tom and I had shared back in high school. He had once told me, “Serve God diligently now, and He will make you a leader in time to come when your faith is mature.” His words had materialized in my life, marking a pivotal moment in my spiritual journey as I assumed a leadership role within the university's Christian fellowship.

As the second semester drew to a close, I had an unexpected encounter that would set off a cascade of events. One evening, my gaze fell upon a stunning woman who seemed familiar. It was Bella, whom I had known from high school. She had blossomed into a beautiful young woman, her elegance amplified by her sophisticated attire— a pencil skirt and an off-the-shoulder top, complemented by hoop earrings. Bella’s transformation was remarkable, and I found myself wondering if her new surroundings at Makerere University, where she was studying Accounting, had played a role in her newfound poise and confidence.

What I discovered next was both shocking and disconcerting. Bella was dating Tom. At first, I was in disbelief. I could not reconcile the Bella I had known before her conversion to Christianity with the idea of her being in a relationship with someone like Tom, whose faith and commitment to God were unwavering. My confusion led me to a heated debate with my friend and fellow mission team member, Ekau. I insisted that Bella’s closeness to Tom was likely due to her seeking spiritual guidance from him, especially since Tom had played a significant role in her conversion. Ekau, who was our mission team secretary and a fellow Bachelor of Arts in Education student, majoring in Math and Physics, was less convinced by my reasoning.

Tom and Bella’s relationship became a source of inner turmoil for me. I could not shake the feeling that something was amiss. How could someone like Bella, who had only recently embraced the Christian faith, be in a serious relationship with Tom? My concerns grew, and I began to wonder if Tom’s faith was faltering. Was he struggling with his spiritual convictions, or was there something deeper at play? My curiosity and concern for Tom’s well-being compelled me to seek answers, but I was unsure how to approach the topic with him. Tom was not just a friend; he was a spiritual mentor and role model. The prospect of confronting him filled me with trepidation.

Two weeks after my discussion with Ekau, I finally mustered the courage to speak with Tom. We began our conversation by discussing God’s blessings and His promises to the faithful. As we talked, Tom shared with me that being anointed and used by God does not exempt one from facing trials and temptations. He cited biblical examples of men like David, Samson, and Solomon, who, despite their anointing, had fallen prey to temptation. Tom emphasized the importance of supporting one another in prayer during such times of spiritual testing. His words gave me the courage to ask the question that had been weighing on my mind.

Taking a deep breath, I apologized in advance if my question would offend him and explained how troubled I had been by the situation. Tom’s response was unexpected—he smiled and laughed, rather than taking offense. He confirmed that he was indeed in a relationship with Bella, though he admitted that he did not fully understand how it had come about. Tom explained that he had been praying for Bella, believing that God would help her mature in her faith. However, he also acknowledged that Bella still had some weaknesses that could potentially affect their relationship. He asked me to stand with him in prayer, seeking God’s strength and guidance as he navigated this challenging situation.

Tom’s relationship with Bella seemed precarious to me. On the surface, they were an unlikely pair. Tom was deeply committed to his faith and ministry, while Bella appeared more interested in fashion and the social aspects of university life. The disparity between their spiritual commitments was stark. I began to observe subtle changes in Tom’s behavior. He no longer preached or prayed with the same fervor that had once characterized his ministry. At one point, he even suggested that there was nothing wrong with associating with unbelievers, as long as one did not partake in their activities. This was a stark departure from the Tom I had known, who had always emphasized the importance of separating oneself from ungodly influences.

Tom’s shift in attitude did not go unnoticed by others in the mission team. Some members began to question his association with unbelievers, and Tom’s response seemed to be a defensive one. He was now advocating for a level of engagement with the world that he had previously warned against. I recalled the words of Psalm 1: “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful.” I also thought of the Apostle Paul’s warning in Galatians: “For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do whatever you want.” Tom was at a crossroads, and his faith was being tested in ways that neither he nor I could have anticipated.

As my second year progressed, the situation with Tom grew more concerning. He seemed increasingly distant, both physically and spiritually. His once-strong leadership in the mission team began to wane, and he became less involved in the planning and execution of mission activities. This culminated in a troubling event—three days before a scheduled prayer retreat, Tom disappeared. His phone was unreachable, and even his hostel mates had no idea of his whereabouts. This was highly unusual for Tom, who had always been reliable and committed to his responsibilities.

Despite Tom's absence, the prayer retreat proceeded as planned, but a sense of unease permeated the event. Everyone in the mission team was deeply troubled by Tom’s sudden disappearance. Three days after the retreat, with no sign of Tom and no communication from him, we decided to report his disappearance to the police. Bella, as his girlfriend, was called in for questioning. However, she claimed to have no knowledge of Tom’s whereabouts, a statement that only deepened my suspicions. There was something about Bella’s demeanor that suggested she was hiding something, but she remained tight-lipped.

As the days turned into weeks, our anxiety for Tom’s safety grew. We continued to pray and fast, hoping that God would intervene and reveal the truth of what had happened. The uncertainty surrounding Tom's disappearance weighed heavily on all of us, casting a shadow over our fellowship and leaving us grappling with questions that had no easy answers.