From Slave to Bishop

Who was Richard Allen?  He was America’s first black bishop.  He was born to parents who were slaves. Soon after the family was sold to a Delaware farmer.  Richard faced racism, cruelty and inequality.  He wasn’t educated and anything he wanted to undertake he needed his master’s permission.  His master, in order to pay his …

A Day in Ouidah

Ede was looking out the window when she saw Hank drive up. Immediately her heart began to beat faster. "Pastor Hank is here," she told her grandmother. "Good. I'm looking forward to meeting him." Ede went to answer the door. Hank's face broke into big smile when he saw her. "Good morning, Pastor Hank." "Good …

Two More Days

I didn't want to think about it but I only had two more days with Maxime and then he would be leaving New York. He told me yesterday when we were together. We were both sad about it and wished that he could stay indefinitely. Today, we are going taking a day trip to Sleepy …

It Happens in Threes

It was a couple of weeks after Sister Augustin's unfortunate death. Father Kiesler was on his way to the sanctuary to give the midday mass when he ran into Monifa in the corridor. The girl looked downcast. "Are you all right?" he asked her. "Yes, I'm fine. It's just..." "What is it, Liebling?" He added …

Slavery and Grooming

"What's on your mind?" Mats asked Abi. She looked like she was thinking about something. "Downtrodden doozies and winded waxers." "I'm sure you're going to explain what you mean." "Downtrodden doozies are people who are mistreated because they are thought to be troublesome, difficult or problematic. When slaves rebelled against their masters, they were seen as troublesome …

Solange’s Story

My name is Solange. I'm a slave living and working on a sugar plantation in Jamaica owned by an unmarried Englishman who moved to the island a year ago with his widowed sister. I was dark so I worked in the field. Only the fair-skinned slaves worked in the great house. I remember the first …

Rejection

1 Samuel 8 Rejection is a terrible and painful thing, isn't it, especially when it comes from the people whom you love or whom you thought loved you. God knows what it's like to be rejected. In biblical times, He was rejected by the children of Israel whom He chose to be His people and …

Up in Flames

JT told her not to go to the cabin again but she went any way. Soon after, he left the house on the day of his return from his business trip, she followed him. She was careful to keep her distance. He was walking briskly as if he couldn't wait to get there. She stopped …

The Slave Girl

My name is Harriet. I'm the slave girl who fell in love with her white Master. I was 16 when my first Master, Mr. Hamilton leased me to Mr. Williamson, a businessman. Mr. Williamson wasn't married but there were rumors that he was courting and soon to be engaged to Miss Scarlett, a beautiful Southern …

Clarissa Threatens to Leave

Joss Tyler Whitley II (nicknamed JT) was standing in front of the mirror, fixing his tie.  He studied his reflection.  His thick dark brown hair brushed against the back of his shirt collar.  He needed a haircut, he mused.  Just then, Clarissa walked in.  She was a very beautiful woman with her healthy complexion, dark …