Subscribe
What an honor to rise once again on these distant shores. I woke up this morning with a smile on my face, committed to enjoying these last three days in South Africa. We started our day by going to Table Top Mountain, but unfortunately, due to the strong winds, we were unable to travel to the top of the mountain. We did get some great photos from the base, and took in the incredible scenery.
We left the mountain to go to Robben Island. I sat next to a couple who were traveling the world in eight months. I had never heard of such a thing! People actually do that? I guess they do! They were from Norway, and South Africa was their first stop. They will continue on to North Africa, Asia, Australia, and North America; with the highlight of their trip being Tibet. They will actually be in New York in September, so of course I invited them to FCBC. Perhaps we will be able to meet with Roel and Priscilla during their stay in NYC. They shared that they will embark upon twenty flights in all, for a total of $3,900 US dollars. They booked stays in hotels, bed and breakfasts, and some hostels. I can’t wait to hear more about their journey. Isn’t God amazing; while we were on our journey, we would meet others on their journey. I hope this gives some of you ideas about seeing the world!
Robben Island, the place where Nelson Mandela was in prison, was another awesome experience. In fact, our tour guide, whose name was Sparks, served six years on Robben Island while Nelson Mandela was there. He said that he went to prison in 1983, (when he was seventeen) for terrorism; as he and other students were fighting for their freedom. He shared many memories with us, but I would like to share two of them with you. The first was that there were Chinese, African and Colored people in prison at the time. Colored people are persons who are mixed with other races so, for example, if a person had a black mother and a white father, or a white mother and an Indian father, that person is considered colored, (even still to this day). He said that in the winter, the Chinese and the Colored people were given long pants, a long shirt, socks and shoes to wear, but Black people were given short pants, a short shirt, and no socks or shoes to wear. He also shared that the meal portions for the Black people was less than that of the Chinese and Colored people. Now what do you have to say about that?
The second and most powerful experience that he shared was truly a lesson to me on the act of forgiveness. He began by sharing examples of the guards’ cruel treatment toward them. On several occasions he was given a punishment and a thirty day special diet for not following the rules. A punishment meant a beating with special instruments and kicking, and a special diet was two portions of porridge; one in the morning and one in the evening. Then he went on to say, “I am now friends with the same wardens who were so cruel to us.” When I asked him how that happened, he responded;
“When I came to Robben Island, Nelson Mandela asked us what we were going to do if we got out of prison. I told him that I would get revenge. He said that is not the way of our people. We do not seek revenge or hold grudges. We must forgive, or else we will be at war forever. . . it was very painful when I first saw them, but now our children play together.”
Unbelievable! I was so humbled by his testimony, (although, he may not have been aware that he was giving one). I thought about how so often we don’t even forgive people for the smallest acts. I considered how we hold grudges for what to him, would be considered insignificant. Although we are hurt, our pain does have a profound effect on our lives and our perspectives. What a lesson to learn about what God requires of us. “For as you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses”. – Matt 6:14-15 – This is an example of the word becoming flesh!
SMH at unforgiveness~
Gregory Spence
/ February 23, 2010Wow! So very humbling and unpretentious.
I need to check myself and remember this experience and lesson next time a gypsy cab cuts me off.
I know my wife will appreciate this.
Tohma
/ February 23, 2010I met a 19 year old young man when I was in South Africa who recently graduated from High School. He was unsure about what he wanted to do after graduation so his parents sent him on a world tour and asked that he decided on an education or career option by the time he returned home. I was in shock! I had never met anyone who had the leisure of doing that; especially not at his age. He made a stop in NYC that following July. When I was undecided after HS graduation my mother made me get a full time job and demanded that I pay my own bills. I changed my mind after six months and suddenly realized that I wanted to go to college.
Now that all of that is behind me, what is stopping me now?!?! I am starting a world tour fund!! Anybody with me?
C. Nkechi Jacobs
/ February 24, 2010The Struggles, the Triumphs and the Joys!!! Rev. LaKeesha…when I saw you behind those bars, chills ran through my soul. Oh, to be reminded of the sacrifices, blood, sweat and tears of our ancestors, brothers and sisters with whom we are inextricably connected. I’m sure you all know you will NEVER be the same. Praise God, Almighty for his majesty, his timing…timing that has enabled you and the dear FCBC Sojourners to fully engage, embrace and marvel at the “depth of the riches of the wisdom and the knowledge of God!” All praises to God for giving us this occasion–through your journey–to grow more and more in love with Him…to claim the joy no one can take away! I’m awestruck and thankful for the chance to continue praying (all)your well being. Sharon, Katrice and Dawn….I love you. Do me a favor. Capture (not necessarily with a camera….just as you ride or walk by) an extraordinary sight and thank God for me, will you? Rev. LaKeesha…I love you. You have such a beautiful smile…. God’s glory is indeed surrounding you.
Peace and His impenetrable protection be with you all.
Nkechi
Rhonda Parker
/ February 24, 2010Hello pastor, I must say your daily blogs are great! I never post a comment before, but this topic (forgiveness) tugs at me a lot. 1, because I can’t get pass certain “things” in my life that were done to me because of my mother. 2, what I’m learning now, is the total opposite of what I learned as a kid growing up in church. Wow! @ brother sparks testimony, I’m speachless. And pastor, I say wow to you as well, you also forgiven someone in your life who’s really hurt you, ( you told us this one night in bible) that same night I ask you about my mother. I’m sitting here smh at myself. Like you said, we can ask God to forgive us for what we do, but don’t want to forgive somebody else. FCBC has change my mind about life in whole new way, (I have a new pair of eyes) things I never considered doing, I’m doing. I just want to say thank you. I know I have a few belts to go thru, but , I’m working on my black belt.
Enjoy the rest of your trip (experiences) in Africa. I’m in awe looking at you at the bars of Nelson Mandela’s ceil. God bless, pastor Lakeesha.
Sharri Coleman
/ February 24, 2010Oh my Spelman Sister! I am so grateful to God for you and your journey! Byron just turned me on to your blog and I am catching up on your messages from Day 1. We do serve a mighty God and you are in the very place that I am now teaching my students at the University of Oklahoma in the African and African American Studies Program. You are inspiring me to visit the place that I speak about so passionately in the classroom. I need to be there!
To the other family members on the journey, please know that there are some folks in Oklahoma City praying for you!
Love you girl…I am excited that you are walking in your destiny! You were sent to the kingdom (body) for such a time as this! Your husband, family, church family and yes, the world is blessed to be touched by you.
Blessings,
Sharri
Kris Keys
/ February 24, 2010Thanks for sharing such wonderful experiences.I’m catching up from day one,but enjoying every inspiring post…:-)) Enjoy the rest of the journey!
Take care!
Kris
Cheryl Faye
/ February 24, 2010There really are no words to sum up my feelings about this post but of course that’s not going to stop me from writing something. (~_~)
What a mighty God we serve. What a mighty, mighty God we serve.
It’s one thing to read about Nelson Mandela’s experience on Robben Island and feel sympathetic to his plight — then to hear him speak of his ordeal without hatred or bitterness; but to actually meet someone who was THERE and to listen to him speak of forgiveness for the cruelty he experienced must have been a true GOD MOMENT if there ever was one.
We hold on to so much nonsensical stuff, petty hurts and slights as if our very lives were changed by them to the nth degree. This brother, Sparks, was imprisoned for fighting for his God-given rights, mistreated, demeaned and disrespected because of his race, yet he is now friends with the ones who did this to him. How many of us can say we’d respond in like manner?
This will certainly make me think when I feel I am wronged by people in my life. Although, I try not to hold onto “stuff,” I know I have been guilty of unforgiveness in the past and I’ve never experienced any pain so profound. God forgive my unforgiveness. Brother Sparks, thank you for the lesson. Rev. LaKeesha thank you for sharing. FCBC Family, I love you all.
Deborah Wiggins
/ February 24, 2010Now, don’t scare me like that. I opened up Day 9 and the first thing I saw was you behind bars==my heart skip only a half beat because I knew better than that. I submitted yesterday but I didn’t see my comments–that’s too bad because I commented about Akira, Dawn, Sharon and you and it all had to do with just being grateful and how we sometimes can be so ungrateful for the small things in life. And if you compare that to the experiences that Dawn, Akira, Sharon and the others went through, I had a sad moment. However, all that will certainly change. I also talked about how proud I am of you, the opportunity that God and allowed for you and how well pleased God is with you. Just keep on focusing your attention on him, the work he has for you to do and never forget your first love.
Oh, your conversation with Sparks was very enlightening, expecially the “forgiving” part. This is so true. Daily we should ask God to help us understand the depth of His forgiveness toward us so that we won’t hold back forgiveness from others. And we should realize that forgiving someone doesn’t make them right; it makes us free. And realizing that God is the only one who knows the whole story, and God will see justice done.
I think if Sparks would have held on to any bitterness or unforgiveness, he would not be standing next to you in that picture today! I know he thanks God everyday.
Love you, mother
Carla
/ February 24, 2010I have been eager to read about your journey. I do not like airplanes (really do not like to fly) but I am feeling compelled to visit. Amazing!
Carla
Kercena
/ February 25, 2010Very profound words by Mr. Mandela; being who God created us to be indeed! Thanks for sharing!
PS: You all look great in the group shot!
LaKeisha Joe
/ March 2, 2010Wow this messaged moved my spirit! Wow Wow God is so real…..Glory