Chapter 24

            Time passed and Aaron preached at the church.  Although everyone was attentive, he felt as thought he was just repeating sermons that he had preached before but to a people that really didn’t need to hear them.  The people had more fruit in their lives, they were disciplined and certainly had far greater faith than almost any of his congregation back home.

             The day after the big blow up, Elizabeth apologized to Juanita.  A few days later they became horseback riding buddies, something Juanita hadn’t done since she was a teenager visiting her granddad’s farm.  Yes, she was adjusting and even learned to make fire in the cast iron cooking stove.  Still, it was difficult for her to watch the slaughter of some animal or fowl, only to be eating its flesh a few hours later.

             The real test of her Christian love was yet to come.

             Pastor Ondiek, who led the church where Charles and his families were members, called George and Juanita aside after an evening service.

             “Come, my American Brethren,” he began.  “Let’s go for a walk.”

             “Sure,” George replied as he and Juanita fell into step along with him.

             “We have a young lady who has been saving for three years to have enough money to travel to America and study at an American Institution.  She is twenty five now but wants to complete her degree there.”

             “Yes,” George nodded as they continued to walk out into a cow pasture.

             “We would like you to act as her hosts while she is there.”  Pastor Ondiek, who was an older man in his sixties, paused and waited for a response.

             “George,” Juanita spoke up.  “I don’t know if having a twenty year old woman come and live with us is a good idea.”

             Before George could reply, the older gentleman moved to Juanita’s side and put his arms around her shoulders.  “Tell me, my child, why would this be a concern,” he said.

             “Well frankly, Pastor,” Juanita stated “as you know, George has been hanging around Charles Okinyi who has two wives and I don’t know if I want my husband to be tempted to do the same thing.”

             “Oh I see.”  The Pastor remarked.  “We have several men in our congregation who have a plurality of wives.  One even has four wives.”

             As they continued to walk, George decided to stay out of it and just listen.  The older man removed his arm from her shoulders as he began to gesture with his hands.  “Do you love God with all your heart, daughter?”

             “Yes, of course!”  Juanita said with a hint of insult in her voice.

             “Do you love your neighbor as yourself?”  He continued to question.

             “Y. . . yes,” Juanita said slowly, fearing she might be led into a trap.

             “If the sister was cold and needed a coat would you lend her one?”

             “Yes, sure” Juanita said sharply.  Realizing now where he was headed, she thought she’d beat him to the punch.

             “But I don’t want to share my husband.”

             “Why?” the Pastor asked simply.

             “Because he’s mine.  Let her find her own husband.,” Juanita retorted.

             “We’re not saying this young lady would ever become a wife of your husband,” he cautioned.  “However,” he continued, “Are you aware that there are more Christian women than men?”

             “Yes, that’s probably true,” she replied.

             “And you know,” he went on, “that the Bible says be ye not unequally yoked with unbelievers.”

             “Yes.”

             “Well now, would you condemn all those extra single sisters in Christ to never being loved by a man?  To never have children, to do without the provision and protection a man can provide?”

             Juanita paused.  She thought, ‘If I say yes I’ll seem cold hearted, and if I say no I’ll be saying it’s OK for George to have another wife.’  Finally after a long pause and several steps she said, “I know what the answer should be, but I don’t know if I can handle it.”

             “Good,” the Pastor announced.  “You are making progress.”

             “I am?” she queried.

             “Yes -- when you admit you are unable to handle something you give God a chance to supply His grace in the situation.  Does not the Scripture say, ‘My grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.’”

             They turned around and started back toward the half finished church building.

             As they drew near the Pastor announced, “I’ll send her to Okinyi’s compound tomorrow so you can meet her.”