It was Sunday morning, October 8, 2001. We were in churches across the USA. While we worshipped, in a faraway land, USA military action began against the blight--and fright--of terrorism in our world. The story I'm about to tell did not happen in Afghanistan--it happened here--at home, in Springfield, Missouri USA. It's a story that's upfront, close and personal--I know, for it happened to me!
Before church started, as I took my place beside my husband, I noticed a lady completely covered in black, obviously Arabic, sitting five rows in front of me - that in itself is very unusual for our part of the country, unless someone in foreign dress might be a visiting missionary in costume.
I watched this woman, sitting all by herself, very withdrawn, and when it came to the usual part in the service for people to welcome visitors, even though I felt some apprehension - honestly, I did - I felt, in light of the way some Arabic people are receiving bad treatment from certain elements in our country, I should go out of my way to be kind.
So I got out of my seat, walked over to her, held out my hand and warmly said,
Welcome!" Face to face with the stranger, i could see the veil - the whole works, definitely an Arabic woman's dress.
We had communion and again I watched - I saw she did not participate in the communion service. All the while I watched, a multitude of thoughts ran through my mind. I was so aware of the Afghanistan women, so cruelly treated, in such bondage, a world away from the comfort of my padded pew.
But back to Springfield, Missouri, USA! Before the elements of communion were served, the pastor asked, "Has everyone been served?" Normally, it is a routine request and then the ushers would come forward for the actual communion service.
It didn't happen that way this Sunday! You see, this is the beginning of our MISSIONS convention - and as the pastor asked the question, one man stood up and said, "NO, we have not ALL been served - and he gave a statistic about the AIDS population.....then a little girl stood up and said, "NO, not all the children of the world have been served," and then...you GUESSED it, the woman in black stood up and said, "NO, there are 1.2 billion Muslims in the world who have yet to be served...."
And I realized......she was a PLANT in the congregation for THAT purpose - she actually was a MISSIONARY that I know personally, dressed as an Arabic woman - playing a part for this special service......
I felt a little foolish--but I learned a valuable lesson. At the very least, I had made a stranger in black WELCOME......and now i know how I would react if there WERE a real woman in black in our service.....I would welcome her, I would love her, I would pray for her, I would reach out in Christian compassion to her.
"Has everyone been served?" NO! Would YOU say a prayer today for the millions of women living in terror, fear and bondage this day--far across the world from the cities where we live...they are from "another world" we can't understand, a way of life we abhor--but we CAN pray for them, the women in black, hiding behind a veil of fears, tears, terror, anger, and a hungry soul. "God, may Your love reach out to them today."
...and that's just a FRAGILE thought or two from my heart to yours!
Copyright 2001 by Peggie Bohanon, Springfield, MO. All rights reserved.
Not to be copied without permission.
An Encouraging Word for Times Like These
