Papa Joe

Posted by notestowomen on July 14, 2017

August 12, 1952. It was a date she would never forget. It was the day she buried the man who had been a father to her for over twenty years. It seemed so surreal. Papa Joe was gone. She stood there alone in her grief, shivering although it was a hot and muggy day.

She stared at the ground where Papa Joe lay. The tears rolled down her cheeks as she cradled his worn Bible, remembering how he used to read it to her when she was a child. When her parents had died he took her in and raised her as his own. She had grown to love the old man as if he were her very own blood. Many of the townspeople had a problem with the widower raising a black girl and didn’t hide their displeasure but Papa Joe ignored them. His business began to suffer. Papa Joe was a tailor. He knew that business would pick up again if he got rid of Cassandra but he refused to do so. Even if he went bankrupt, he would never part with her. He vowed that only death would separate them.

It was Papa Joe whom she shared her dreams with. It was Papa Joe who comforted her when she went home crying because of the racial slurs and taunts. Papa Joe was the only one who knew that she loved a man she had no right to love. She had known Dr. Baker since she was a child. He used to stop by and see Papa Joe. He was always kind to her and brought her treats. As she grew older, the visits became more frequent. Papa Joe was no fool. He could see that feelings were developing between them and he warned her, “You and the doctor have to be careful, Cassie. This town will not take kindly to a relationship between a black girl and a white man.”

One night when Dr. Baker visited, Papa Joe excused himself and went to his room. As soon as they were alone, the doctor took Cassandra into his arms and kissed her. “I have wanted to do that all day,” he whispered when he raised his head to gaze down into her face. “I know that there is a considerable age difference between us but I love you, Cassandra. I tried to stay away when I realized that I had fallen in love with you but I couldn’t. I had to see you.”

“I love you too.”

“I’m leaving for Paris in three weeks and I would like you to come with me.”

“Paris?” she exclaimed. “Why there?”

“I have always wanted to go there and set up a practice. My mother was French and your family was from Haiti. So the language won’t be a barrier for us.”

“I can’t go to Paris with you, Robert.”

“Why not?”

“I can’t leave Papa Joe. He has been so good to me.”

“Joe would want you to be happy and you won’t be as long as you remain in this town.”

“I can’t be happy knowing that he is here all alone.” She could see the distress on Robert’s face and she reached up and touched his face. “I love you for wanting to take me away with you, but I can’t. I hope you understand.”

“I do,” he sighed. “Well, I better be going. Please say goodnight to Joe for me.” They kissed and then she walked with him to the door.

“Goodbye, Cassandra. Write me and let me know how you are doing.” He gave her a piece of paper with an address on it. She took it. After a lingering look, he was gone–perhaps out of her life for good.

That was three months ago. They had exchanged letters since and when Papa Joe died, she had written and told Robert. She stood now at the grave, the tears falling. Papa Joe had left the house to her and all the money he earned from his tailoring. She had the money locked away in a box. She didn’t want to go back to the empty house.

She had no idea of how long she stood there but the biting cold prompted her to start making her way back to the house. She had just reached the front porch when she saw a car pull up and Robert got out. He walked over to her and taking her arm he led her up the steps. “I’m sorry I didn’t make it on time for the funeral,” he apologized as she unlocked the door and they went inside.

Once inside and the door was shut, she threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly. She sobbed, letting out the pent up grief that had closed around her heart like a fist. Robert stood there, holding her until the sobs subsided and then ceased.

When she was spent from all that crying, Robert took her over to the sofa and sat her down. “Joe wrote me this note,” he said, handing it to her. “I think you should read it.”

She wiped away the tears before she reached for the note. Frowning, she slowly unfolded the paper and read it. Dear Robert, I know that you love my Cassie and that you wanted to take her away from this cursed place. If I know my dear girl she will not want to leave me. She feels a sense of obligation to stay and take care of me as I have taken care of her all these years. I don’t want to be a burden to her. She is young and deserves to live her life. There’s no future for her here. I know that she loves you and that it broke her heart to be separated from you. She thought I wasn’t aware, but I could see the unhappiness in her sweet face and I could hear her crying in the night. She had sacrificed her chance for happiness for me. I haven’t told her but I don’t have much longer to live. When I pass on, which should be any time soon, please come and take Cassie away from here. Take her to Paris where you and she will be free to love each other. She can use the money from the sale of the house to pay for her fare. I am sorry that I won’t be there for your wedding but know that I wish you both all the happiness in the world. Please take good care of my precious girl.

Yours sincerely,

Joe

Fresh tears fell. “I had no idea that he was dying. He was tired more but I just thought that it was to do with age. I am thankful that I was here for him.”

“Now, you can get on with your life. We have his blessing. Let me take you to Paris.” He reached out and took her hands in his. “Cassandra, I want to marry you. Let me take you to Paris.”

She nodded. “I will go to Paris with you,” she said. Her life here was over. There was nothing to keep her here. Her future was with Robert now. She would sell this house filled with so many wonderful memories and leave this town which had been the source of her unhappiness. Yes, she will go to Paris and marry the man she loved.

crying african american woman in the 1950s

Letter From the Suitor

Posted by notestowomen on July 7, 2017

She walked into the library and was startled to find him sitting at her father’s desk, writing what appeared to be a letter. He rose immediately to his feet when he saw her and bowed. “Miss Hampton.”

She returned his greeting in the manner of women, her face a little flushed. She hoped he would think it had to do with her walk. “Mr. Read.”

He put down the quill pen, folded the sheet of paper, slipped it into an envelope and handed it to her. “Please do me the honor of reading my letter, Miss Hampton. I will not take up any more of your time. I bid you farewell.” And he was out of the room before she had even said anything.

She went to the window and looked out to see him untether his horse and then mount it. He was off and she watched until she could see him no longer. She looked at the envelope with her name written neatly on it, anxious to read the letter enclosed.

“I heard you come back from your walk, Miss Ellen and thought I would bring you some tea and fresh scones.” Bessie bustled into the room, carrying a tray which she set on the table. Ellen’s mouth watered as she smelled the freshly baked scones. She slipped the letter into her pocket.

“Where’s everyone?” Ellen asked.

“Mr. Turner went out on business. Mrs. Turner, Misses Grace and Mary went to visit Mrs. Blakely. They all should be back later this afternoon.”

“When I came in a few moments ago, I was surprised to see Mr. Read here.”

“Oh yes, Miss. He came by to see Mr. Turner. They were in the library for a while and then Mr. Turner left for his business. Mr. Read stayed to finish writing a letter.”

Ellen’s fingers closed over the letter. “Thank you, Bessie.” She wanted to be alone to read the letter. Bessie left, closing the door behind her.

Ellen drew a chair over to the window and sat down. She took the letter out of her pocket. Her heart began to pound as she removed it from the envelope and unfolded the note.

My dear Miss Hampton:

I hope that this letter finds you well and that you will not think me impertinent for having penned it. It is by the counsel of your cousin and my dear friend, Roger Wentworth that I have resorted to writing you this letter in which I hope to express my interest in you which I must confess has been hard for me to communicate in person.

Nothing but the noblest of sentiment would prompt me to intrude upon the notice of a young lady under such circumstances. An interest in you has captured my heart and no effort on my part could free it. I hope that you will have pity on me and receive me as a suitor.

The purpose of this letter is to ask your permission to pay you friendly visits with the hope that closer ties will develop between us. I do not request an answer in writing although if you choose to accord me one, I shall be very flattered. I will do the honor of calling upon you on Friday evening, on which occasion I hope for a very happy outcome. Yours with much regard,

James Read

Ellen stared at the words on the page, hardly able to believe it. Mr. Read wanted to be her suitor. During those times they saw each other, she never imagined that he harbored any interest in her. He had hidden it remarkably well.

She read and re-read the letter. Her heart was pounding again. She got up from the chair and went over to the desk. She sat down and taking a sheet of paper from the drawer, she took up the quill pen and wrote:

Monday Morning

Mr. Read:

Dear Sir: I read your letter. Thank you for writing with such candor. I shall be happy to see you on Friday evening and whenever you are pleased to call on me I shall make you feel quite welcome. Truly yours,

Ellen Hampton

She slipped it into an envelope and sealed it. She slipped out and went to the post. Mr. Read will have his answer before Friday evening.

victorian woman looking out of the window

Sources: oocities; Susanna Ives

Bessie Coleman

Posted by notestowomen on February 9, 2016

Bessie Coleman was one of 13 children to Susan and George Coleman, sharecroppers. The family lived in a one-room cabin in Atlanta, Texas. When she was two years old, Bessie’s father left the family in search of better opportunities in Oklahoma. Bessie’s mother did her best to support the family until the children were old enough to contribute. When Bessie’s older brothers went to work, she took care of her two younger sisters. She became the family leader, reading to her sisters and mother at night. Bessie promised her mother that she was going to “amount to something.”

Bessie began attending school when she was six and had to walk four miles every day to her segregated one-room school. There she loved to read and had the distinction as an outstanding Math student. The school closed whenever the students were needed in the fields to help their families harvest cotton.

Bessie attended Langston University, known then as Oklahoma Colored Agricultural and Normal University. She was able to complete one term before she ran out of money. She returned home. At 23 she moved to Chicago where she lived with her brothers. It was when she was working at the White Sox Barber Shop as a manicurist that her interest in aviation was kindled. She heard stories about flying during the war from pilots returning home from World War I. American flight schools did not admit black women and one of the pilots was willing to teach her how to fly.

Determined to earn her pilot license and encouraged by Robert S. Abbott, founder and publisher of the Chicago Defender, Bessie went to France after taking a French language course at Berlitz School in Chicago. In France, she learned how to fly in a Nieuport Type 82 biplane and on June 15, 1921 she became the first African American and Native American to earn both an aviation pilot’s license and an international license from the Federation Aeronautique Internationale. For the next two months, Bessie took lessons from a French ace pilot near Paris to polish her skills. When she returned to the United States she became a media sensation.

She specialized in stunt flying and parachuting. She earned a living barnstorming and performing aerial tricks. In 1922 she made her first appearance in an American airshow. It was an event honoring veterans of an all-black 369^th Infantry Regiment of World War I. She was billed as “the world’s greatest woman flier.”

It was Bessie’s dream to establish a school for young black aviators but she didn’t live to fulfill it. On April 30, 1926, Bessie was killed in an accident while preparing for an airshow. She was only 34 years old.

Bessie Coleman remains a pioneer of women in the field of aviation. “Because of Bessie Coleman,” wrote Lieutenant William J. Powell in Black Wings 1934, dedicated to Coleman, “we have overcome that which was worse than racial barriers. We have overcome the barriers within ourselves and dared to dream.” Lieutenant Powell served in a segregated unit during World War I and pushed for black aviation in his book, journals and through the Bessie Coleman Aero Club which he founded in 1929.

Notes to Women is pleased to honor this remarkable woman who broke down gender and race barriers by daring to dream big. She kept her promise to her mother. She did “amount to something”.

The air is the only place free from prejudice.

I refused to take no for an answer.

You’ve never lived till you’ve flown!

I decided blacks should not have to experience the difficulties I had faced, so I decided to open a flying school and teach other black women to fly.

Sources: Biography; Notable Biographies; Wikipedia; Brainy Quote

Literacy Saved Her Paycheck

Posted by notestowomen on November 28, 2015

Literacy brings an incredible freedom to women in South Asia; helping them to take care of their families, not be cheated at the marketplace, and be able to read the Bible for themselves – Gospel for Asia

As an avid reader, I can’t imagine not being able to read. It is one of my favorite things to do. I loved reading since I was a child. It led to my other favorite thing–writing. Being able to read and write can really make a difference. You can read books, study the Bible, write letters, read recipes, directions, the labels on products in the grocery store and write checks. These are things that most of us can do but in South Asia, more than 30% of the women are unable to because of illiteracy.

Imagine that you are illiterate and have no opportunity for an education. Imagine the struggles you face as you try to make ends meet while your husband spends your earnings on alcohol. This was Dayita’s reality. She came from a village where few girls received an education. Being illiterate left her with very few options. She began sewing clothing to ease her family’s financial situation. Her husband Kaamil deposited her earnings in the bank but she was horrified when she found out that he was withdrawing her money so that he could buy alcohol. Desperate, Dayita found someone to help her to open her own bank account but managing it proved to be very difficult because she couldn’t read or write. She was unable to fill out the deposit and withdrawal forms. She had to rely on others to help her.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble – Psalm 46:1

God saw that Dayita needed help and He intervened. He sent Ashna and Neha, believers from the local Women’s Fellowship to start a literacy class in Dayita’s area. Dayita began attending the sessions because she was determined to keep her hard-earned money safe. To her surprise, Kaamil supported her. Ashna taught two hour classes on reading and writing from a Bible based curriculum. Within two months, Dayita could read and write enough to fill out her bank forms. She is able to deposit and withdraw money on her own now. She is able to get around because she can read the names of buses and bus stations. Thanks to the ministry of Ashna and Neha, Dayita is learning about Jesus and starting to believe in Him.

Thanks be to God, who sees all and knows all and is every ready to help those who are in need, Dayita can enjoy the freedom that literacy brings. Knowing how to read and write, she doesn’t have to depend on others for help. She can go to the bank and do a transaction any time she wants. She can travel without worrying about getting lost. She can also enjoy the freedom that knowing Jesus brings.

If you are interested in helping other women like Dayita, find out how at this link. Help to free the women of South Asia from the yoke of illiteracy.

Source: Gospel for Asia

Investing in A Child

Posted by notestowomen on November 5, 2015

One sponsor can have an enormous impact in the life of a child in Asia through GFA Bridge of Hope! Their prayers, love and encouragement can make a difference in the lives of children who are constantly derided and told they are worthless by their culture – Gospel for Asia

Nothing is more wonderful than giving a child hope for a bright future. You can do so by sponsoring a boy or a girl. In Asia, parents struggle to provide for their families. Their children grow up illiterate, uneducated and taught that they are worthless. More than 20 million of boys and girls are forced into child labor and prostitution so that they can support their families.

Thankfully, Gospel for Asia is turning these terrible situations around through their wonderful program, Bridge of Hope. Children are educated and nurtured. Families experience Jesus’ love. So far, the program has helped over 74,000 children and thousand of families have come to accept Christ as their Savior.

Watch this video of a Mom as she explains why she sponsors three children.

Bridge of Hope sponsorship is not just about giving money to support a child in Asia—it’s much, much more. If you decide to pour into a child’s life, you are making a direct impact on the lost in Asia. Your child will have food, clothes, education, and most importantly, your child will learn about Jesus’ love and share it with his or her family and the surrounding community – Gospel for Asia

Read how sponsorship has made a difference in the lives of Daya and Nibun. As you read their stories, keep in mind that it takes only $35.00 a month to give a child everything he or she needs–such as school supplies, a daily meal, medical check-ups and the opportunity to attend a Bridge of Hope center. 100% or your sponsorship is sent to the field to support your child.

A child could benefit so much from attending a Bridge of Hope center. The boy or girl you sponsor will learn Bible verses, stories and songs that bring the Gospel to life, learn to read and write, receive a healthy, balanced meal, medical care and learn the habits of good hygiene.

Do you know that when you take care of a child’s physical needs you are also breaking the cycle of poverty, illiteracy, superstition and the bondage of the caste system? And your love and care of this child will extend to his or her family because the child will take the message of God’s love home. Sponsoring a child will bring hope to the family and even the community. The Gospel will penetrate hearts that resisted it at first. You will make it possible for parents to be in the training sessions which are an integral part of the Bridge of Hope program. You will provide the child and his or her family “a future here on earth and one for eternity”.

I encourage you to prayerfully consider sponsoring a child. Help to bring the message of salvation to a child who has not heard of Jesus. You can change a life forever. Invest in a child today.

As cold water to a weary soul, So is good news from a far country – Proverbs 25:25

Source: Gospel for Asia

Words of Life

Posted by notestowomen on October 19, 2015

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path – Psalm 119:105

Right now I can walk into any bookstore and buy a Bible. There are so many to choose from. There are Bibles for men, women, teens, children and couples. They are in different languages. And there are different versions. You have Study Bibles, Devotional Bibles, Life Application Bibles and even Spiritual Warfare Bibles. Then we have audio Bibles, online Bibles. The list goes on and on. Some of us have more than one Bible. Some churches give out free Bibles.

Bibles are available in most countries but not to new believers in Asia. Many of them don’t own a Bible. It’s hard for us to imagine not being able to read our Bibles everyday. It’s where we go when we want to know more about Jesus or to grow spiritually and deepen our walk with Him. We can use our Bibles for personal or group studies, witnessing and worship. Believers in Asia aren’t able to do any of these things. Can you imagine going to church and no one has a Bible, not even the pastor?

Try to imagine how different life would be for you if you didn’t have a Bible. Now think of the believers in Asia who don’t have God’s Word to guide them daily in their spiritual lives. Imagine not being able to share the Word with others.

The Bible is more than a book. It is the living Word of God. It brings hope, encouragement, light and joy to those who read it. It is the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17). It protects us from the attacks of the Devil. It was the Word of God that Jesus used three times to defeat Satan in the wilderness. It reveals who God is to us. We learn about His will for our lives. We have the Gospels which tell us about Jesus and His ministry. It is from the Bible that we learn that, “…God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16).

The Word of God teaches us what our responsibilities are to God, society, authorities and our neighbors (Romans 12). It gives us instructions on how to keep ourselves from conforming to the world (Philippians 4:8; Galatians 5:15). It shows us how we can follow Jesus’ example when it comes to prayer, our relationship with God and how we treat others. The Bible is our guide to right living and right thinking. God speaks to us through the Word.

We go to the Bible when we have questions and doubts. It addresses our fears and encourages us. Paul explained why the Scriptures are so important in the believer’s life. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is valuable for teaching the truth, convicting of sin, correcting faults and training in right living; thus anyone who belongs to God may be fully equipped for every good work“ (2 Timothy 3:16, 17 Complete Jewish Bible). The Bible is a must have for every believer.

Sing them over again to me, wonderful words of life,
Let me more of their beauty see, wonderful words of life;
Words of life and beauty teach me faith and duty.

Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life,
Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life.

Help to bring the wonderful words of life to South Asia. Find out how here.

Source: Gospel for Asia

Women’s Literacy = Women’s Liberty

Posted by notestowomen on September 8, 2015

“Literacy is a bridge from misery to hope. It is a tool for daily life in modern society. It is a bulwark against poverty, and a building block of development, an essential complement to investments in roads, dams, clinics and factories. Literacy is a platform for democratization, and a vehicle for the promotion of cultural and national identity. Especially for girls and women, it is an agent of family health and nutrition. For everyone, everywhere, literacy is, along with education in general, a basic human right…. Literacy is, finally, the road to human progress and the means through which every man, woman and child can realize his or her full potential.”
― Kofi Annan

Tuesday, September 8, 2015 was an important day for lots of parents and their children. It was an important day for my family. It was my son’s first day back to school. This year he will be in grade 2 . It was wonderful seeing parents and their kids filing into the school. The halls were crowded and noisy as we squeezed our way to the gym where the children were to line up before heading to the auditorium for the greeting and morning prayer. As I looked at the children in their uniforms, I thought of how what a blessing it is to be able to go to school.

September 8 was an important day for another reason. It was International Literacy Day, a day first proclaimed as such on November 17, 1965 by UNESCO. It was first celebrated in 1966 and its objective has always been to highlight the importance of literacy to individuals, communities and societies. The theme for this year was Literacy and Sustainable Societies and the Day marked the 50th anniversary of the World Congress of Ministers of Education on the Eradication of Illiteracy. It is a day when the world is reminded of how important learning is.

International Literacy Day gives children and communities a chance to rediscover the joys of reading while raising awareness for those without access to education.

Can you imagine being a mother and unable to read your child’s school report or help him with his homework because you can’t read or write? What if you couldn’t read the Bible or a bedtime story to your child or a Mother’s Day or birthday card? Sadly, there are women in South Asia who can’t read or write. Can you believe that over 30% of Asian women are illiterate? In fact, more than one out of every three women in Asia are illiterate!

There is hope, thanks to Gospel for Asia’s Literacy Program. Through literacy classes held by GFA supported local Women’s Fellowships, women are learning how to read, write, do basic math, some of life’s most basic lessons, and, most importantly, they are learning how to read and study God’s Word on their own. What a joy it must be to be able to read about a loving God and a Savior who gave His life for them. And better yet, they can read to their children.

So women volunteered to teach literacy classes to other women. The program expanded into several states and two countries, so a standardized curriculum was developed.

In this day and age, it is hard to believe that there are so many people who still cannot read or write. Last year, Gospel for Asia supported the work of missionaries who saw International Literacy Day as an opportunity to raise awareness of the value of women’s literacy and to share the Gospel.

I rejoice at Your word As one who finds great treasure – Psalm 119:162

Do you want to bring hope to women by helping to make it possible for them to read and study God’s Word? Find out how you can do so here. Reading and writing are basic necessities of life that everyone should have. Women who learn how to read, write and do basic Math will be able to provide for their families. You will be helping a woman to keep her children safe because she can read the warning labels or from being cheated at the marketplace because she knows basic Math. Think of how different your life would be if you couldn’t read your Bible, recipes, emails or letters. Then think of the freedom you enjoy from being literate and how you can help to liberate these women too.

Literacy is not a luxury, it is a right and a responsibility. If our world is to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century we must harness the energy and creativity of all our citizens – President Bill Clinton on International Literacy Day, September 8th 1994

Sources: Gospel for Asia, International Literacy Day, UNESCO