TITLE: The Storm Approaches By Weeping Skye 04/24/09 |
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I hear in the distance the bells of the old abandoned church, the wind gently moving the clacker until it touches the side of the massive bell. It sounds of wind chimes in a breeze, but I sense there is something different today. The calm before the storm is ending.
I am Weeping Skye. I was named during a time of drought in our land. I am told our people cried for rain, but none came. Our people called for help, but there was none to hear. Who hears the cries of a forgotten people. Who sees the weathered faces of the elders. Who hears the muffled cries of babies, their empty bellies’ wanting more, but there is none. Who sees the barren fields of our parched land. Who sees the toil of our people, they have planted much, but there is little to harvest. The abandoned church says to our people, “who cares.”
I must have been different from birth, or at least that is how I have always felt. As I was born Mother held me toward heaven and proclaimed, “this one will take our cries and our prayers to the sky, and the sky will weep and precious rain will come and life will be restored and we will live again. We will be a great people, and we will not be forgotten.”
I am haunted by those words.
Chapter Two
I am sure I have been a disappointment to my people, not following all the rituals of the elders. I did not follow the old ways, instead I heard a different calling. Something deep within me, a voice, soft, pleasant, irresistible, calling, come. Come meet me, come see who I am. I would often tell Mother, “someone in the old church is calling me.” She would always tell me no one has been there for years. She said white mans’ God has forgotten us too.
I would often go and stand in front of the old church for hours, staring at the broken doors and windows. Most had been boarded up when the last of the missionaries had been told to leave. Some of the boys had pried some windows open where the could play inside. Mother had forbid me to ever go inside, so I would just stare.
One day when I was alone, staring at the church, that voice called me. “Come in, come in and meet me.” I yelled, “what do you want? why do you keep calling me?” “Mother said I could never go in there.”
“Come in, come in and meet me. I will heal your land, I will bring life to your people, I have not forgotten your people. I have chosen you to bring my message to those who will hear.”
“Who are you?” I cried.
“Come in and you will see.”
Chapter Three
Thirty seven years have passed since that day. That boy of eleven, still haunted by those words as a man. I still remember walking to that broken window and peering in. It was the closest I had ever been. I did not want to disobey Mother, but I could not resist the voice. I climbed through the window and stood, frightened, “who are you? Where are you?” I whispered. I looked around at the broken chairs, books scattered everywhere. Whiskey bottles lined the railing where the boys could throw rocks at them. “Where are you?” I called in a nervous voice, “why are you hiding from me? I came in like you asked.”
An owl flew past me, now, I was terrified. Owls had always been a sign of death in some tribes. Mother had always been afraid of them. I turned to run, looking for my window, my escape. The owl landed on the platform behind me, whoo, whoo, it called. I stopped dead in my tracks. “Who?” I said turning and looking at the owl, “who?”
The owl then flew up on some boards hanging behind the platform, then out through a hole in the roof. “Come closer,” the voice called, “come closer and see me.”
“Where?”
“Look up, what do you see?”
“I see some boards,” I said.
“What is on the boards?” He whispered.
“Is that you?” “that is not a real man,” I said, “how is it talking to me? How are you talking to me? Why did some one hang him there? What did he do? Mother told me not to come here because this place was for a white man’s God. Are you the white man’s God?”
Chapter Four
A dust devil catches my eye. Dust devils are what we had always called them. Small whirlwinds dancing about the dusty fields, picking up sand and debris. They remind me of little demons running about, stirring up strife, hurt, as if to display all that was left of our lives. Whirlwinds of emotions, dirt, and trash, picked up so everyone could see, then dropped. Dropped to settle back down where it belongs, in a wasteland, a wasteland of human souls, dry, parched, crying for someone to dip a finger into the water and touch it to their tongue.
I am standing in front of the church, now a grown man, still staring, remembering. The voice told me, “tomorrow at this time you will understand.”
“How?” I asked, “how will I know?” I waited for what seemed like hours for an answer, but none came. I gazed again at the man on the boards, he appeared to be sad, but peaceful. I reach up and touch his face, someone had made a headdress from a thorny bush and put it on his head. Nails were in his hands and feet. There was a hole in his side, why did someone do this. Had this been a real man. Did white man punish their people like they punished ours. To many questions for a boy to answer. I crawled out of the window, and made my way home. I dare not tell Mother I had disobeyed her, she would not be happy with me.
“Skye,” she called to me. Come eat.
“I’m not hungry tonight,” I replied. “Sick?” she asked. “No, just not hungry,” I mumbled as I walked to my pallet on the floor, “just not hungry.”
Chapter Five
“Pardon me,” came a voice from behind me. I almost jumped out of my skin. I had been staring at the old church for hours now. Waiting. Waiting for that voice to talk to me. I wasn’t expecting it to come from behind, and I wasn’t expecting it to be so loud.
“You scared me,” I snapped.
“I’m sorry,” he replied in a soft voice.
“What do you want?” I said, still shaking inside.
We were looking for the lady who sells blankets, and baskets. Do you know where she lives? “That is my aunt, she is not here now. She has gone to the city to visit. She is not doing well and her son wants her to see the white doctor. Our medicine lady has not been able to help her.”
I’m sorry to hear that. I’m sorry I scared you. Did you loose something in there?
“In where?” I asked. “In the old church building,” he replied. “No, not really, I just thought I heard something in there.”
“What did you hear?”
I smiled, “voices, but you wouldn’t understand.”
Try me.
Well, I kept hearing these voices calling me. Calling me to come in an and meet him, but Mother had forbid me to go inside. Yesterday when no one else was around it call me again. He said I had been chosen to help my people. My people need much help so I went in.
Who was it?
I didn’t see anyone, and I got scared, but the voice called me to come closer, I was afraid, but I wanted to see who it was.
Did you see?
No, only some old boards, and a man was nailed to them. Not a real man. He was being punished for something. I reached up and touched his face, and asked him if he was the white man’s God. He said he was the creator of all things, of my people, of the white man, of every man. I told him I did not understand. He said “tomorrow at this time you will understand.” I asked how, but he didn’t answer. So I have been waiting, staring at the church, hoping I will understand, but I cannot.
Would you like me to help you understand?
“Yes,” I replied.
Chapter Six
The wind has picked up, and the old church bell has a louder call. A few clouds have formed in the sky. The sand whips around my face, stinging my eyes. We have not had wind like this before. I hear the sound of a rushing wind blowing through the old church. The doors pushed open, and the trash scooped up and deposited outside. Each strike to the massive bell resonates through the land…Come….Come…Come.
A few people have gathered to witness. I walk up the steps and look inside. Light has found its way through the hole in the roof, and has set itself upon the cross. A soft glow surrounds the man on the cross…Jesus.
My Mother and a few of the elders, who the missionaries had talked with, fall to their knees in the doorway. I too have knelt down, weeping, tears of joy stream down my face. The God of heaven has heard my cries and prayers. The storm begins.
Chapter Seven
“Do you know this man,” I asked?
I know the man this represents, or is a likeness of. Your necklace is a likeness of a bird, it not a real bird, but it makes you think of a bird, doesn’t it?
Yes, so this makes you think of a dead man?
This man is called Jesus, He was the only Son of God.
The white mans God? He was the son of the white mans God? Why did they hurt him? Was he a bad son, and he was punished for it?
No, He was a good son. He did what His Father God asked Him to do. But He made people very angry, they said He was a trouble maker and did not speak the words of God. They told lies about Him, even one of His friends turned against Him. Then one day all of the people He helped, turned against Him. They yelled crucify, crucify, that is why He was nailed to those boards. Those boards are called a cross, it is where people are punished until they die.
Why would he be punished if he didn’t do anything wrong? Why did his Father God let this happen to him? Maybe he was bad but only his Father knew about it. Like Mother does, sometimes I’m bad but only Mother finds out.
No, His Father had a plan to save all men, because man cannot save himself. If you could save yourself, or if your people could save themselves, would they be here?
No, I guess not.
Can you read?
I have learned some.
Good, let me show you something.
Chapter Eight
The first few drops of rain begin to fall. Mother still hasn’t spoken, she just stands and stares at me. The old mission bell is ringing loud and clear. Come, Come.
Mother, you must go home now. The rain will be heavy soon.
Come with me son, she cries.
No Mother, there is work to be done here. The God of heaven, the creator of all things, of all people, my God, has heard my cries and prayers. He has been good to me this day and has answered them. I will go into His house and finish cleaning it out. I will prepare a place of worship for Him, and I will thank Him. This storm has come to bring life, it’s waters will wash away the trash and debris from the land. It will quench the thirst of this parched land. It will bring healing to our people, and it will prove we are not a forgotten people. The God of heaven has not forgotten our people, our people have forgotten the God of heaven. Go now Mother, before it is to late.
Chapter Nine
Here is what I’m looking for, have you seen a Bible before?
Yes, I have heard Mother talk of one. She says it is the book of the white mans God. I looked at one yesterday when I came in but I didn’t try to read it. Mother says our people can’t understand it and it only has tales for a white man to understand. I have seen Mother looking at one, she keeps it hidden where no one can find it.
The Bible has the creators words in it, Gods’ words. They are not only words for the white man, they are words for all men. In this book it tells why Gods’ Son, Jesus had to die on the cross. These words are ancient words, from before the white man, before the Indian, before any man. They tell how God created the earth, and the sky, and all the birds, fish, and all the animals. These words tell how God created man and woman, and put them in the best land. He talked with them, much like He talked with you, but one day one of His creations turned against Him and tried to take over. God threw him out of heaven, him and all that tried to help him. From then on the enemy, called satan, has tried to come between us and God. He caused the man and woman to disobey God, and God had to punish them. He made them leave the best land, and move to a land that needed to be worked, much like your land. But God made a promise, that one day He would show us a way to return to Him. He said He would provide a way, that way is Jesus. Do you understand so far?
I think I do, is that all?
No, I will try to hurry. All through Gods’ word, the Bible, God spoke to certain people, and these people would tell everyone what He said. He spoke words years in advance, or ahead of when things would happen. He spoke many words about His Son. His one and only Son. His Son would be a very good Son. He would never disobey his parents, he would never tell a lie, he would never steal. He would live a perfect life. He did not sin. Sin is not living as His Father expects us to do. Much like missing your target, or your mark with your bow and arrow. Sometimes you arrow falls short. Jesus never fell short.
When we miss the mark, we become separated from God. We are apart from God. God says that if we believe that He sent His one and only Son, who lived a sinless life, then suffered and died on the cross, in our place because we cannot live a perfect life, then we can come to know Him in a special way. He is calling you now, do you want to know Him better. He will teach you His way if you believe.
Yes, I believe, I want to know Him better.
Good, I will pray with you.
Chapter Ten
Heavy rain comes down, the old bell still ringing. Sounding out, above the sound of the downpour. Rain has come in through the hole in the roof, washing the dirt and dust off the old cross. washing the dirt and grime from the floors. Whiskey bottles float out the doors and down the street. I feel overwhelmed, but revived. This is what we needed, the waters have poured in, washing, cleansing, renewing. Hope, along with these waters have filled me. The wind, new breath, new life, blowing, a cool breeze refreshes. I breathe in, my body soaks in the moist heavy air.
I stand in the doorway for a moment and look into the vacant streets. I walk out to the streets praising God for the rain. A large hole near the edge of the street has filled with water. I wade in, it is near my waist. I look toward heaven, then plunge beneath the muddy water, baptized, finally. I shout at the top of my lungs, no one can hear. No one but God, I know He is pleased.
My work here has just begun. I make my way back to the church, still praising, thanking God. Mother knows I have been praying for rain, and she knows God has answered my prayers. I close the old doors and head for home.
I try to sneak in, but it never works, Mother always knows.
“Son,” she asks, “is that you?”
“Yes Mother it is,” I answered.
“Put on some dry clothes, come, eat, talk to me.”
“Yes Mother, we will talk,” I replied, “we will talk.”
Chapter Eleven
“What do I need to do,” I asked?
First you must understand that you are a sinner, do you understand what I have explained to you.
“Yes.”
Next you must understand that you need someone to bring you to God, Jesus is the only one who can do that. Now you must believe Jesus and His words in the Bible, “there is no other name by which man can be saved.” Do you believe His words.
“Yes.”
Then we will pray a simple prayer, it is called the sinners prayer, a prayer of salvation. God will save those who call on Him.
“After I pray what will happen?”
Well, God may still speak to you like He did to get you here. He may speak to you when you read His words in His book. He may speak to you in a special way that only you and Him know about. I’m not sure how He will talk to you, but I know that He will. The first thing you must do after you pray is be baptized.
“What is baptized?”
It means to be put under water, to show you have believed. You will learn more later.
“There is no water here, no water to be put under, barely enough to drink.”
There will be in time, but for now let us pray.
Father in heaven……
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