Sunday, June 07, 1998 - 2:37 PM: "The Sticker"
I was getting ready to go back to Liberia. I had packed my bags and had them weighed. I was over weight as usual but some how the airlines always let me proceed on by. They knew I was a missionary and 70 % of my weight was bibles. I had some unusual looking bags and I never thought I would see anymore like them. How wrong I was. It never failed, there would always be some that looked like mine and just as big and heavy. I'll never forget the time I rushed over to the baggage conveyor belt to get what I thought was my bag. As I reached for the bag another hand reached for it also. It turned out to be his bag. Later I was trying to figure out how I could mark my bag when Renee my daughter suggested that I use some ole bumper stickers that I had. They turned out to be perfect for the job.
They were bright yellow with red letters, and I put them on all 4 sides of the bags. Well, needless to say, some of them didn't make it. I was unloading my bags from the money truck when I heard a familiar voice shout, "Hello Reverend". It was Joe. He had a grin as big as the brim of the braves baseball cap I had given him. He walked up and took the bags out of my hands and said, "let me take those". We started walking up to the hut where I would be staying and when Joe put my bags down he looked at the sticker that was left and said he wanted it for his son. Ok, just wait until we start back to town. He agreed.
We had spent nearly 10 days in this village and we had given out all of our bibles. We had preached the gospel and had seen the Lord deliver many from the grasp of juju. [Luke 4:18] The witch doctors didn't like it because I came preaching a better way. [Jesus] Our bags were packed and we were saying our goodbys. The chief noticed the sticker on my bag. I knew what was coming next. Sure enough, he had to have that sticker. I looked at Joe and Joe looked at me. I could see the disappointment on his face. This was the last sticker and he knew that I had to give it to the chief even though I had promised it to him.
I asked the chief where was he going to put it. With a big grin, He motioned up over the door and as far as I know it is there to this day. It is the only hut in Liberia with a Brooks bumper sticker over the door. I want to thank my partners for helping me go and take the Word to other Nations. [Matt. 28:19} Many in Africa have heard me preach and witness the saving grace of our Lord. Many have bibles that would not have had them if it had not been for all of you. God bless you. God bless you O Holy Spirit for going with me. Amen
Thursday, October 29, 1998 - 10:54 AM: -----Something...Was Outside My Door......
The sun had just gone down and the darkness was pitch black. As usual I turned in early when I could for we always had a long walk to the next village the next day. I was lying there thinking about what had been happening during the last couple of weeks. I was thinking about all of the people who had accepted Jesus as their personal savior. I wondered what would have happened to them if I had not come to them with the Word. For some of them it was the first time they had ever heard of that wonderful name, Jesus.
It was so hot. It was stifling and heavy and then the next instant you would catch a whiff of the sweetest odor of some jungle flower somewhere outside your hut. It was like this every night. It never cooled off till 2 or 3 o'clock. I was beginning to feel drowsy and had began to drift off to sleep when I heard a low throaty grunt right outside of my door, which was open. I froze as I lay there in my sweat. Not knowing what was fixing to come through the door and attack me. It was as if time had stopped. I fumbled around on the bed till my hand grasped the handle of my flashlight. I found the switch and turned it on and shone the light toward the door. I could hear something breathing and making deep guttural sounds. The thin cloth hanging down in the door was all that stood between me and whatever was out there. The hair on the back of my neck was sticking straight out. I released my breath and took in a deeper one. Then just as quick as it came, it left. Thank God for answered prayer.
Finally I settled down and drifted off to sleep again. The next sound I heard was a rooster crowing and while partly aroused I had fleeting memories of my life on the farm as a young boy. I got up and dressed. I wanted a cup of coffee but first I had to purify some water to boil. Some time back I had purchased a Katadyn water filter and it did a fantastic job of taking the bacteria out of the water. It was a life saver there in the jungle. It always amazed the people who saw me do this. I was anxious for the first light to come so I could see what kind of tracks might be outside my door. I drank my coffee and wished for some sugar to go in it. Oh for some of the comforts of home. Time for that later, I thought. There were souls to be saved and much work to do.
Joe, my interpreter had joined me and he wanted to know if I had heard any strange sounds outside my door during the night. I acted like nothing had happened, I didn't want Joe to know how upset I had gotten and replied, I thought I had heard something. Wasn't sure what it was. Then Joe began to grin broadly and he told me that some of the young men had been hunting and were tracking this young hog and he had come up amongst the huts of the village. What a relief, I thought it was something bigger than a hog. I sure was glad that it decided not to come into my hut but go on down the road. The sun was peeping through the trees and we needed to eat our rice and get ready to walk to another village. Thank you partners for helping me to come to these lost people. Your reward in Heaven will be great. Amen
Thursday, October 01, 1998 - 3:28 PM: "Termite Hills 10 feet tall"
Service was over and a man from a neighboring village came up to speak with me. He talked very little English so Joe had to interpret. He said that the village where he lived did not have a church house to worship in and wanted to know if I would help them with a building. I told him that I might be able to furnish some tin for the roof but that the village would have to build the building and do all the work..
Well, then he wanted to know if I would come to his village and instruct them in how big to make it. Well, that was the first time I had actually gotten in on the ground floor of building and I was curious as to what their technique was. I looked at Joe and thought for a few moments, we would be through here in 2 days and then we could follow him to his village. I told Joe what I was thinking and he agreed with me, that we should go over and help these people. I said ok, tell him what we are going to do and see if he can wait around to lead us over to his village. A big smile broke out across his face and he nodded his head in agreement.
We had been walking for some time and the heat was almost unbearable. I stopped for a moment to take a swig of my water, and wipe my brow. How much further, Joe, I asked. They conversed for a moment and Joe answered, we should be there by mid-day. We trudged on and eventually we came to the village. We were given a royal welcome and it wasn't long before the word got around that we were there to help build a church. Everybody got mighty excited. They had wanted a church building for a long time. The leaders of the village got together and began to talk and wanted to know what they should do. Well, do you have a site picked out. They said, yes, follow us and we'll show it to you. I had noticed a high rise as we had walked in and this is where they headed. This is good, I thought.
We laid out the site for a building that would be about 20 feet wide and 40 feet long. I had just enough money [THANKS TO MY PARTNERS] to buy tin for a roof that size. Joe was busy talking to the leaders and soon he turned to me and said they were ready to start. The chief came over and asked me if I would bless the ground and all the people who would be helping. That was my plan all along. Now many women and children had began to gather and one woman began to sing a song and it wasn't long before everybody was singing. It was such a blend of male and female voices. It was wonderful. Here on a hill somewhere in Liberia we were praising the Lord. Could a building make it any better, I wondered.
After the ceremony the men went into the woods and soon came back with many poles and vine. This was something new to me. I had never seen a building put up like this. They lashed the poles together and made a single wall all around the foundation. Then they started to make a second wall all around the building. Now the women and children had been carrying clay from a 10 foot tall termite hill. They began to mix it with water and made a paste out of it and then began to daub the walls with the paste. Thus the name, mud-stick building. Well, they went right around the walls on the inside and outside. They had previously cut out openings for 2 doors and 4 windows. Believe it or not, this building was taking shape very fast.
By the end of the 3rd day they had the walls as thick as they wanted them. I asked Joe, why the clay from a termite hill. This clay has come from deep in the earth, he said, and is better to bond and hold with. How long will it stand up to the weather, I wondered out loud, Joe looked at me and said about 10 to 15 years , but if you put a coat of cement on it, it will last much longer. Some of the men had gone into the woods and had cut the rafters [very long poles] that would be used to lay the tin on top. That meant they would soon be ready for the tin. So Joe and I got up early the next day and began our walk to the main road. There we would catch a money bus and go into Monrovia, get the tin, and ride back on the delivery truck.
The driver dropped the tin and before long it was gracing the top of a new church building. I have never seen such joy as I saw on these peoples faces. Just think, a few sheets of tin is all it took. They made some make-shift benches and the following day friends from other villages came and we had church dedication in the new church building. The first question from the visitors was when was I going to come and help them. Well, money will only go so far, so I said, "One day,if the Lord be willing." Friends, you can help me put tin on some churches if you are so led by the Spirit of the Lord. So far we have put roofs on 10 churches, fed a bunch of starving children, and distributed hundreds of bibles. Pray over this, and help us if you will. God bless you partners. Thanks for helping me do HIS will.
Sunday, September 27, 1998 - 3:17 PM: ....Close Shave...
Sunday came too quickly. I just couldn't wake up. Jet lag was really taking it's toll. Finally I made myself sit up on the edge of the bed. I yawned and yawned again. I couldn't stop. I stood up and did some stretching exercises and that seemed to help. I went to the door and looked out and discovered that it was going to be a most beautiful day. The sun had not melted away the mist that still hung low over the trees in the distance. Somewhere near by I could hear a rooster crowing. Reminded me of living on a farm in Georgia. What a flood of memories came rushing in.
Off in the distance I heard a strange sound and I had to tell myself that I was in Africa, not Georgia. I heard voices approaching and I looked to see who it was. The chief's 2 young son's were walking toward me and they wanted to know if I wanted anything. Yes, I do, a pan of hot water to shave with would be fine. They gave me a big ole smile and turned around and went back the way they had come. Several minutes later they returned with a large pan of hot water and set it down on this stump. I got out my shaving gear not aware that some of the village children had appeared and had take up vantage points hoping that I hadn't seen them.
The water was so hot I could hardly stick my hand into it. Finally I got my beard soft and I took out my shaving cream and applied it to my face. I took my razor in one hand and my mirror in the other and as I looked in the mirror I saw some of the kids behind me and they were so amazed at what I was doing. I turned and ran at one of them and said booooooo. All of them took off in 14 directions and I didn't see them any more that day. What a shock that must have been to them.
I laughed heartily at the way the kids had run off. The chief came by and spoke to me and I asked him if he wanted to shave with my razor. No, no...he said. I want all the hair on my face to stay where it is. As I finished up, I thought that was a good idea. I spent entirely to much time shaving. I finished dressing and went out to the cook shed behind the hut where everybody had gathered to eat breakfast. What a wonderful sense of fellowship I experienced as we sat around on short stools eating our rice and getting ready for the day. I knew in my heart we were going to have a great service that day. Thank you partners for sending me to speak the Word to these people. Lord, I have been obedient to your word in Matt 28:19....Amen
Sunday, September 13, 1998 - 10:46 PM: Things From the Heart...
This was the last day of my first visit to Liberia. In a way I was excited about going home and on the other hand I was sad. I would be leaving people whom I had gotten to know and love. People, whom I had lived with and had shared their food. Whose homes I had stayed in. Certainly, they did not rise up to the standards of homes in the United States, but they offered the "best" of everything that they had. Their love for me was genuine and they bathed me in it every step of the way.
Abraham, my interpreter, had asked me several days before if I was glad to be going home...I sure am, I replied, my daughter is getting married and I want to see my family. O that made them so happy to hear that. They must have asked me a thousand questions the next couple of days about her and her intended after that. They showed so much interest in her and her husband to be. I was just about through packing my bag when the chief of the village sent for me. I left what I was doing and went immediately to find him. He got up from his chair and greeted me and said that he had 2 gifts for me. One was for me for coming and sharing the Word of God with them. The other was for my daughter who was going to be married later in the year.
As I looked at these gifts I wondered how long it had taken them to save up the money for these presents. It was a very humbling experience. They wanted to show their love for me one more time. Now you have to understand that money was a scarce commodity in this village. The village had gotten a preaching robe with hat for me and had got a traditional African wedding dress for my daughter. I will never forget these wonderful people. Tears welled up in my eyes as I bid them farewell. Hoping that one day I might get to return and renew our friendship. I have shown the preaching robe to many people. Every time I look at it precious memories come flooding in. God bless every member of that village whereever they may be. Amen
God bless my dear friends and supporters for your support that enabled me to go and take the word to other nations. I have been obedient to the Word of Matt. 28:19.....amen.
Monday, August 31, 1998 - 9:36 AM: ..... A Road...
The road was becoming impassable...if you could call it a road...we had been going deeper into the bush for many hours....finally, the driver stopped, looked over his shoulder and "said, this is as far as I can take you"...we still had about seven miles to go...it was 105 degrees...every thread on my body was dripping wet...I knew that we had to go on...I felt an urgency in my spirit...finally, after what seemed like an eternity we arrived at the village...We were made welcome, like visiting royalty. The chief said to the people that had gathered " God had sent them a man from "millions of miles away" to tell them of his love for them".
Then the people sang...I have never heard people pour out their hearts in song like these did...it was wonderful to hear the women sing and the deep male baritones as they joined in...I did not understand the words, but my interpreter said, they were praising God...That day I preached on John 3:16...like a man on fire...how God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son...that day we had 111 souls come forth to pray to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior..
.Many who had walked over 20 miles went home to tell their villages...the good news..."Jesus saves". Many, who had never heard of the name of Jesus, were set free from the works of witchcraft that day...the Light of Heaven had pierced their heart and had driven the darkness away...I had been obedient unto his command..Matt.28:19...and oh what joy had filled my soul....
Monday, August 10, 1998 - 3:24 PM: A Crowing Rooster:
It was 3 a.m. in the morning. Lightning was flashing brilliantly outside. It was bright enough to read by. It was my first night in Liberia and It was not unusual for this type of storm at this particular time of year. Never had I been in such a terrible storm. Lightning was hitting the ground with such regularity that you could almost set your clock by it. What an introduction to lightning storms of Liberia. The storm lasted for sometime. After I became accustomed to it I drifted off to sleep only to be awakened sometime later by a gentle hand. A soft voice whispered in my dear, it's time to get up and eat breakfast. I lifted my left wrist to see what time it was. Much to my surprise it was six o clock. I had just started to put own my socks when I heard a sound that I had not heard for many years. It was the sound of a crowing rooster.
Growing up on a farm in Georgia we raised chickens among other things and it was a common thing to hear roosters early in the morning walk around the house and crowing. It was their way of announcing the coming morning and to awaken everyone to get up an get ready to go to work. We had this big Rhode Island Red that crowded every morning at the same time. You could set your clock by him. It always amazed me that he knew exactly when to start crowing. A river of memories came rushing in from the past. I remembered hearing mom and dad talk as they were busy working in the kitchen getting our first meal of the day ready. I could hear the door to the stove open and shut as dad would throw in another couple of sticks of stove wood. The fire in the stove would burn hotter and hotter and finally mom would stick in a biscuit pan of fresh made biscuits and in a few minutes she would have a pan of hot brown bread that was just waiting for some butter and jelly to be applied and then quickly eaten.
So much for that. Back then, who would have ever thought I would be eating breakfast this morning in Liberia. I dressed and made my way to the dinning room. Before I ever walked in, the odor of fried eggs came softly to my nose. It was like walking back through time. I could hear mom say, "honey" do you want your eggs scrambled or fried this morning. She already knew but she would ask me anyway just to let me know it was her way of saying "good morning", glad to see you, and all of that mushy stuff that moms said to their kids. Dad would come in with a milk pail full of milk and while the door was still open you could hear that ole rooster outside crowing for all he was worth. He was trying to say the best way he knew how, get up, another day is here, got to get to work before the sun comes up.
I want to thank all of my partners for their help. Most of all Lord Jesus. Amen
Sunday, August 02, 1998 - 11:46 AM: A Crowing Rooster:
It was 3 a.m. in the morning. Lightning was flashing brilliantly outside. It was bright enough to read by. It was my first night in Liberia. It was not unusual for this type of storm at this particular time of year. Never had I been in such a terrible storm. Lightning was getting the ground with such regularity that you could almost set your clock by it. What an introduction to lightning storms of Liberia. The storm lasted for sometime. After I became accustomed to it I drifted off to sleep only to be awakened sometime later by a gentle hand. A soft voice whispered in my dear, it's time to get up and eat breakfast. I lifted my left wrist to see what time it was. Much to my surprise it was six 0'clock. I had just started to put own my socks when I heard a sound that I had not heard for many years. It was the sound of a crowing rooster.
Growing up on a farm in Georgia we raised chickens among other things and it was a common thing to hear roosters early in the morning walk around the house and crowing. It was their way of announcing the coming morning and to awaken everyone to get up an get ready to go to work. We had this big Rhode Island Red that crowded every morning at the same time. You could set your clock by him. It always amazed me that he knew exactly when to start crowing.
|