Chris Worla
Nov 7 · 2 min read

PRIZDAAAY ARMS!!!

Those days at Beat 6, we looked forward eagerly to the Flag Lowering ceremony of the Border Guards at the Aflao-Lome main border post. It happened at 6pm and it signified the closing of the Border between Togo and Ghana for the day. There was also the Flag Raising ceremony which took place at 6am, but that was hardly our concern because we'd have been preparing for school at the time.

So around 5pm, wherever we were playing, we started heading towards the border post. We managed to get there in time to witness the preparation of the parade, which happened inside the SCC Yard, before the actual ceremony. It was a beautiful ceremony of intricate march steps and weapon drills under the command of the Regimental Sergeant Major. His last command before the the Flag was lowered (what we heard) was...

"National salute, PRIZDAAAY arms!! (well, when I joined the Katanga cadet corps in later life, I learnt the command to be PRESEEEENT ARMS!!)

At this command, the soldiers in unison, lifted their AK47 assault riffles mid height, slapped buttstock and held it with the right hand, grabbed the lower handguard with the left hand, pushed the weapon forward at an angle of about 45 degrees, simultaneously moved the right foot to the back, angled at 30 or so degrees. All these steps happened in quick succession and then the soldiers (and everyone else) came to a standstill as the biggle was blown for the flag to be lowered. But for the sound of the lone trumpet in the ocean of silence, you could hear a pin drop.

Every activity ceased. Every movement halted.

Border was closed.

One of these days, your trumpet will blow. Jesus may not come tomorrow, but your work here may be done and your creator will call you home. Everything else will cease save for the accounts you'd have to render to your maker.

"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. 25 Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live" ~John 5: 24-25.

You have an opportunity today to tidy up your books. If you haven't done so yet, kindly say this prayer with me...

Dear Lord, thank you for your love for me.
I accept the fact that I am a sinner and I am sorry for my sins. I now repent from my sins and ask for forgiveness. Dear Jesus, I surrender my life to you and invite you to come into my heart. Give me a new heart and make me your own. Thank you for hearing my prayer. Amen

#ChooseChrist
#TimeNodey
#ForGodAndCountry

    Chris Worla

    Written by

    Teacher. Blogger. Farmer. Reaching a critical mass of young people for Christ.

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