Tears on Tuesday

I would still like to write about 'What this missionary eats,” however I'll have to postpone that for later.

This whole week there is an AME (African Methodist Episcopal) Conference in town, and I went to the Tuesday 7PM Missionary Society Meeting. I was so moved by the speakers that night I really want to share part of that experience with you.

Nearly everyone was dressed in white to symbolize holiness except for me. I was wearing yellow and green (my favorite suit) and felt nervous and out of place. The inspiring speakers quickly made me forget my discomfort at not color- matching everyone.

One speaker prayed over us near the beginning and said, “It is time for us to put away any negative sayings. No more 'I CAN'T.' No more 'I WON'T. Or “I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH RESOURCSE TO DO THAT.' No. We have to put all that away.” As she prayed I felt the Lord was hitting me on the head, and telling me to rest in him. To stop looking at the number of the Amalekites (the people and conditions that are against me) and to lift my eyes to the hills (where the Lord has his holy forces waiting to grant the victory).

I believe it was Sister Carolyn Graves who went up and began to speak about the book The Color Purple by Alice Walker. She said Celie talked about her father told her “You poor, you black, and you ugly.” Celie in response wrote, “It's true that I'm poor, I'm black, and I may be ugly. And I can't cook. But I'm here!”

That caused tears to come to my eyes surprisingly quickly. I tried to blink them and wipe them away, but they continued to flow.

When I walk into a church, I can tell many people reject me on sight before I say a word. I've seen a pastor jerk away from me when his eyes fell on me and he noticed that there was one African-American person in his church. I know there are people who refuse to accept that I could possibly be a missionary because they have never seen someone who is a black and who is called to be a missionary.

I even had someone I consider a friend nearly laugh in my face when I tried to speak about how I intend to go overseas and translate Bible Stories for people who do not yet have the Scriptures in their own heart language. I believe that person cannot imagine someone poor like me, plain-spoken, and from a rather modest household could possibly have rocksolid faith to do something that big for God. How could I be the chosen one?

Well, I trust God. I know I am not a big somebody. I'm just a little someone. That's OK. I don't have to be awesome. God is awesome.

Sister Graves also told a wonderful story about a mule who fell down a minister's well which was only halfway dug out. The donkey tried to climb out, but there were men up above who kept throwing shovelfuls of dirt on his back.

The mule began to speak to himself to encourage himself to keep moving: “Shake it off, and step on up.” He shook off the dirt and put one hoof in front of the other, until slowly he made his way out of that deep hole.

It's the same thing with us.

Whenever you try to do a great work for God, there will be people all around you who will tell you to quit, stop, and go back. Don't pay no mind to what those people tell you. Some of them are just jealous. Don't sit with them. Don't reflect back on what they say. Just shake it off, and step on up. Little by little, you will eventually reach your goal.

SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP ON UP!!!

Hope this encourages you, wherever you are and whatever it is that you are facing on this day.

Yours truly has almost completely raised the funds that I need to go overseas to Guinea-Bissau for 2 – 3 years to translate the Bible. Right now, I am only short $376.55 a month. Is there anyone out there who can make some financial contribution and to reach this goal? My organization is telling me that unless I raise this money by the end of the month I cannot leave. If the Lord is calling you to be part of my financial team, please contact me! Blessings to you.