Encounters from the past (2)

I am an energetic, young, visionary minister of the gospel, having just finished my training and being appointed to my first pastoral assignment. I am running late, having had car trouble. So, I step into the phone booth, take out the little note book and nervously dial the number. A heavy German accent on the other side of the line says, “Hello, who is speaking?” My stomach turns as I respond: “Good afternoon, it is Reverend Romeo Pedro speaking. I am just phoning to say that I am running a bit late!” “Very typical of you people,” she says. To my greatest shock, she says: “Why are you coming? Have you not heard that we do not want a minister who is not white?”

I say: “Good Bye ma’am” and put the phone back on the receiver. I stand still for a moment – for what feels like a very long time.

Then someone taps on the door of the phone booth. “What’s wrong? You look pale.” It is my dad. I open the door and relate the story to my parents. They both look at me as if they are not surprised. You see – they grew up and lived under the brutal Apartheid regime. They look like they have expected this type of reaction.

Then this wise African woman, that I call mom, says: “Son, if you keep your nose to the stone, soon it will be just you, your nose and that stone. You cannot allow this distraction to consume you. Keep your eyes on the greater goal.” As she hugs me, I feel her tears on my shoulder.

What is the greater goal? Then I remember why I am here: I want to share the love of Jesus with God’s people, irrespective of who they are. And yes, I want to share His love even with that heavy German accent on the other side of the telephone line.

Dad puts his hand on my shoulder and says: “Come son, it’s getting late. We’ve got to get you there.”

We get into the car. And as we drive westward, I watch the sun set and say to myself. As sure as the sun sets it will rise again tomorrow. And I am reminded of the old African proverb: “No matter how long the night, the day is sure to come.” It’ll be ok. Emmanuel is with me.