Uncle Orville and Aunt Lucille

We traveled up the interstate until we had to venture onto the Louisiana backroads. For someone who had really gotten used to 85 mph, this was a true disappointment. Like most of the southern states we have gone through, Louisiana roads are under construction. Most of the way we had to travel at the good old Oregon double nickel speed limit interrupted by some 35 mph zones. Since we were in the south those speed limits were very carefully followed. I did not want to meet Biscuit with his lights on. Biscuit was the big old policeman in my sister’s hometown. He was a 400+ pound man that I use as a symbol of southern policemen. I actually never met the man, but feel like I know him through my sister’s descriptions of him. She always has one of those special smiles when she talks about him, so I like to use him in my imagination as the epitome of a southern smalltown patrolman. What drove this point home even more was the sign we saw when we approached Collinston, La., the community near Connie’s aunt and uncle’s house. A local farmer apparently had grown weary of the town police and paid to put a big sign in his filed just before the city limits that read, “Warning, Speed Trap Ahead”.

Sunday brought us a rare treat. We got to attend church with Uncle Orville and Aunt Lucille Thomas in a little Assembly of God Church in Start Louisiana. Connie’s uncle had retired from the pulpit, but was asked to serve as “interim” pastor at this church. They have to travel 28 miles one way to the church and have a morning and evening service on Sunday, and a Wednesday evening Bible study. On Sundays they stay in the little trailer next to the church and rest to prepare for the evening service. We also got to attend Sunday school with Brother Freddy leading us in a study of Joseph in Genesis 39-41, a good lesson in fleeing from temptation rather than standing, thinking that we are brave enough, and strong enough, to withstand. He also brought up something about tithing that I had never thought about. God asks us for our first fruits and when he says that he means from us also, not just our checkbooks. Who among us spends 2.4 hours minimum per day doing the things of the Lord?

As ironic as it might seem, Uncle Orville spoke from Malachi chapter 3. He did mention our money, but mainly concentrated on robbing God of ourselves. How many times have we seen God orchestrate the worship leader or the person who does the announcements to speak something that coincides with what the pastor is going to speak on? He also embarassed Connie, and himself, with a story about a time 40 years ago when he went to speak at Newberg first Assembly for a revival. He spoke night after night, and on this one particular night he called the youth forward to the altars. As he was praying he noticed his niece and her cousin standing there giggling. He prayed throught to the end, somewhat concerned that his nieces were misbehaving this way. They came up to him later and said, "Uncle Orville we owe you an apology". Feeling somewhat better about the situation he stood there and listened as they offered their explanation. His mindset changed when they asked him to look down at his feet. He then understood that there was not disrespect that was causing the laughter, but the fact that he was wearing one black shoe and one brown shoe. Today they both matched, I think. It was inspiring to see someone who has celebrated 50 years behind the pulpit still working away for God, and still speaking in relevant terms. This from a man who four years ago received a three months to live diagnosis. After some surgery he never went through chemo or radiation. Amazing how immortal we are when God has ministry plans for us that we work to fulfill.