Under an African Sky

 

Crispin and Judith  - Under an African Sky

It was a long time ago when Crispin told me the following story. It was all about Stanley and a prayer that was answered.

Harare, Zimbabwe. Crispin and Stanley were very good friends. They grew up together, played football together, and were in the same class at school. Then, after leaving school had gone their own separate ways.

Crispin became a diplomat and went into the world. Stanley became an Anglican priest and stayed in Harare. Crispin made very much money. Stanley made just enough to get by. Enough bread and butter but never any cakes. Crispin got married to Judith and Stanley got married to Helen.

One day, whilst on leave in Harare, Crispin and Judith decided to go and see Stanley and Helen. It was a Sunday. They went to Stanley's church. An Anglican church. Boring and dull with very few people. Crispin and Judith wanted to give Stanley and Helen a very big surprise. But, it was Crispin and Judith who got the surprise. There was no Stanley! Where was he?

Stanley, they were told, no longer worked for the church. He was now 40 miles away to the north. But, as far as they knew, he was still preaching.

Following directions, Crispin and Judith drove north. Finding Stanley was easy. Under a tree was a very big crowd. Maybe two or three hundred. And, in the middle of this very big crowd was Stanley. He was preaching and the people were singing and dancing and praising the lord. All very electric. Stanley was very, very good.

Helen told Judith their story. From a financial point of view, things had become very hard. Money had always been tight. Now, not even enough for a new pair of shoes. Helen and Stanley had to do something. Life couldn't go on as it was. But what could they do? Stanley would never give up the church. Then came the answer.

It was a late night film on TV. An itinerate preacher in Southern Carolina. Preaching on the move and usually to very big crowds. And, this itinerant priest had plenty of money! Stanley felt the Lord speaking to him.

Stanley and Helen went north. They spoke to everyone. They spread the word. And, two weeks later, Stanley held his first service under a tree. And, the people started coming and so did the money. People were happy to give. Stanley was special. At last he was following not only the Lord, but also himself.

Crispin and Judith stayed on for the picnic. There was a feeling of very deep peace. Incredible harmony. Everyone was happy in a very special way. Judith and Crispin were moved.

Then, Crispin thought about what he had seen. It was the magic of God and under an African sky. No more and no less. Such a wonderful day he had never imagined. Stanley's prayer had been answered. Crispin and Judith went happily back to Harare.

Crispin and Judith and Stanley and Helen stayed in touch. Their ways had met once again.

Crispin and Judith – Under an African Sky

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Andrew J. Roberts - Flea Market Luck

Andrew J Roberts was a man I knew well. He was very successful. A one man show. Self employed with an obsession for money. The more money the better. And, Andrew had plenty of money. He was a very rich man.

Now, Andrew and family lived in a very small village in the middle of England. The village of Beehigh. Jane, his wife was a teacher, and Emma their daughter went to the primary school in the village. And, Beehigh had an event that everyone went to. Its annual sale. A flea market. And, one year, in a moment of great inspiration, Andrew had an idea. Toys! He would rent out a table and sell beautiful toys at the Beehigh annual sale. And, it worked.

Andrew was busy selling toys on his stand. Business was great. Far better than expected. Then, just before 12, Sally, one of Andrew's assistants, took over and Andrew went over the road to the pub. The Queen's Head. A great place for meals. Shortly afterwards, Jane and Emma arrived. A family lunch. But, Emma wasn't hungry. The solution was simple. Pocket money. Enough to spend on one or two things at the annual Beehigh sale. While Andrew and Jane were enjoying their lunch, Emma was having fun spending money. And, it was Andrew's toys that Emma found first.

A toy soldier in his very smart red and blue uniform caught Emma's eye. It would look perfect standing guard on her father's very full desk. A wonderful present. This little toy soldier wasn't very cheap, but, nevertheless, Emma bought it. She could afford it, her father had given her plenty of money. Then, just to be fair, a plastic flower for her mother. Then, hiding her secret, Emma went back to the pub. Jane and Andrew were finishing lunch. A little later, Jane and Emma went home and Andrew went back to selling his toys.

Andrew was tired. He'd had a very good day. He'd made a nice little pile. Emma was happy as well. She told Andrew to close his eyes and hold out his hands. Andrew opened his eyes. There was the little toy soldier. An irony! Andrew had bought the little toy soldier, had sold it, and, got it back as present – and – in a very funny way, had got back his money in a round about way!

But, Andrew was happy. Little Emma was thinking of him when she purchsed the little toy soldier. She had known what he liked. And now, all these years later, the little toy soldier is still there and still smiling where Emma had put him. Money well spent that came back as a soldier.

Andrew J. Roberts. He not only made very much money, he made luck as well.