Saturday, October 19, 2013

Walking Like a Baptist


A couple weeks ago, my husband and I traveled to the capital city for a doctor’s appointment.  Another missionary family kept our children for us.  So, it was just the two of us.  We stayed in a guest house which is close to a main road that contains lots of little shops and restaurants; that area is called Osu.  There are also many souvenir vendors along that road.  The traffic is always very congested on that road.  So, we usually just park the vehicle at the guest house and then walk back to that main road.

As we were walking along the main road, the souvenir vendors kept commenting, “Oh, a family; how nice, how nice!”  I commented to Joe that a couple was not usually considered a “family.”  He said that it was just strange for them to see a white husband and wife walking together.  We also heard them saying “husband and wife” in a tribal language.  We caused quite the stir!

We were just enjoying our walk.  Unbeknownst to us, the pastor of the church which is right next to the guest house saw us as we were walking.  The next day at church, he said that he had seen us walking in town.  He said to himself, “Wow! A white couple walking together through Osu!”  Then, he said that he thought to himself, “They walk like Baptists!  I bet they will be in church tomorrow!”  He went on to say that if anyone wanted to know why we walked like Baptists, they could ask him after church.  I thought that was funny; I was tempted to go ask!

You have heard the saying, “Your walk talks, and your talk talks, but your walk talks louder than your talk talks.”  We were just out for an evening stroll, but people were watching us.  We did not say much to those whom we passed, but our walk was talking.

Ephesians 5:15-16 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 

Until next week, keep your sunny side up!

7 comments:

Joyful said...

Great story! Indeed we are watched wherever we go but in some places more than others. I would love to know how a Baptist walks ;-)

Anonymous said...

Neat story! So interesting!

Lou Ann Keiser said...

"Ye are lights." No matter where we are, people see. A blessing and a challenge.

Chris and Carole said...

What a great reminder to watch how we "walk"!

Linda Gangemella said...

Wish you would have asked how a Baptist walks! thanks for sharing!

Jane’s Journey from Kenya said...

My guess would be that Baptist walk (husband and wife) hand in hand with smiles on their faces and joy in their voices enjoying each other. :)

ginger said...

Wonderful story! It is so funny to know that you are the only white folks walking around. You do make an impression! Love you so much!