THE CONVERT

Everything in his life seems to be going well. Then he meets a ghost from his past.

James Neufville and Robert Gray, they lived miles apart. Their families were even further apart than their houses were.

The Gray family, though not counted among the rich, could neither be mentioned with the poor. And if the word “church” was ever mentioned in their house, it was with some sarcasm. But even that was rare.

The Neufvilles, like the Grays, also could not be considered rich. However if the poor were to be discussed, they almost always would certainly have a place in that discussion.

James Neufville was the youngest of six. His four sisters were all in public schools. At night, they had to sell roasted meat and fish, and sweets in front of the neighborhood cinema to raise money for their school books. His brother could not continue school due to the lack of fees. He was now the apprentice of a carpenter specialized in casket making.

James was the only fortunate one. Probably his parents saw something special in their youngest child. They made huge sacrifices to send him to a middle class school. There were even some boys from upper class families who were sent there as an act of punishment.

James however, did not mingle with anyone. His parents warned him not to. They were very religious. To James’ parents, almost all rich people were doomed for hell. Come on, if a camel can go through the eye of a needle more easily than a rich man could enter heaven, it is only reasonable to believe that only a few rich persons can enter the kingdom. James was therefore cautioned to keep away from the children of the rich and stick close to God. That took almost no effort because the rich children did not want to get close to James neither. They preferred to hang out with their kind.

Robert however was the exception. He could not restrain himself from admiring the quiet boy at the back of the classroom. The boy who hardly raised his hand when a question was thrown out to the class. Well, you know some teachers mistook that for ignorance and redirected the question at James. He always answered them, correctly, eloquently and with confident calmness. If you think that made him a favorite of the teachers, you are wrong because the teachers were interested the kids with bucks not brains. So James was a loner.

But Robert was neither interested in bucks nor brains. He was interested in James Neufville. As you may know at first, James tried to resist Robert but Robert would not go away. He kept coming around, forcing James to think. His parents had said almost all rich people and not absolutely all were doomed for hell. James managed to convince himself that Robert was among the few rich bound for heaven. So James finally gave in and he and Robert became friends. James was so surprised that a rich boy could be so kind-hearted and loving.

One day as they walked together, James asked Robert, “What church do you attend?”

“I don’t go to church”, Robert answered hardly noticing the shock that registered on his friend’s face.

“Why?”

“Because I am not a Christian.”

“Are you a Muslim?”

“No” Robert answered with a snicker.

“Then what are you?” James asked almost shouting.

“What do you mean what am I?” Robert asked a little annoyed. "I am human?”

“I know you are human alright but don’t you believe in God and his son Jesus?”

”Look James,” Robert said, laying a hand on his friend’s shoulder and putting a halt to their walk. “I don’t have problem with God and his son alright. Neither do I have problem with anyone who believes in them. But, come on James, with all these religious beliefs all over the place one tends to get confused. So the best one can do is to live a good life."

At this point, Robert abandoned the casual tone in is voice and took on a persuasive one.

“A moral life” he said, “A life of decency, respect for self and others, a life of honesty. It does not matter which religion you belong to James. Once you try to live a moral life, I believe all the gods of these different religions will have little or no problem with you."

Robert resumed walking, but James remained standing. Robert turned and noticed his friend was still standing.

“Come on James” he called out taking on his casual tone of voice once more. “We’ve closed early today. Come with me to my house for lunch. I think my father can explain better what I just told you."

James knew his parents would not approve, however, the offer was irresistible. Not because he was going to eat with the rich, but what Robert had said was so interesting, James wanted to hear more. He decided to take the risk.

Robert’s father was a pleasant, jovial man. They met him seated on the porch reading a book. James noticed a guitar nearby. After greetings and introductions Robert told his father what he and his friend had been talking about.

“Well, Well”, said Mr. Gray thoughtfully. “What can I say?” "Alright” He then put the book aside and picked up the guitar “Listen son”, he said as he began strumming, “This is how one country western singer puts it”. Then he started to sing. It was a song about heaven not waiting for only people who sit in churches. God is everywhere and watching. He knows those who are good and those who are bad.

James was enraptured. He stood transfixed as Mr. Gray sang.

“And I believe it's time to eat,” came a cheerful voice from the doorway.

James was brought back to this world. It was Mrs. Gray.

“Hello mom,” Robert greeted. “This is my friend James.”

“Hello young man” Mrs. Gray said, “You are welcome”.

Robert ate the entire meal in wonderment. How could these people not to be Christians yet be so nice? He wanted to get home as fast as possible and tell his mother what he had experienced.

As he walked towards the door a few minutes after dinner, Mrs. Gray called out his name.

“Yes Ma’am”, he answered.

“We don’t mind Robert following you to church”.

“Thanks ma’am.”

James ran almost the entire way home. He met his mother cooking.

“Hello mama”, he greeted breathlessly, “Guess what?”

“Hello James, and what?” his mother replied as she continued to stir the pot.

“I met a family today and they are very nice”.

“What’s so exciting in meeting a nice family James?”

“They are rich mama, although they claim they are not. I thought rich people were all bad".

“Well, there are a few good rich people”, his mother said still not bothering to show interest. “A very few” she added emphatically.

“But here is the real surprise mama. They are not Christians”.

Mrs. Neufville stopped stirring the pot and looked up. “What is that you have in your hand?” she asked frowning.

“A piece of cake mama, it was given to me after we ate. Dessert they call it”.

“What" Mrs. Neufville screamed? “Are you telling me that you went to their house and ate? James, do you know what you have done? What will your father say when he hear this?"

“But mama, they’re so good", James protested.

“Being good is not the thing James. All our goodness is nothing but filthy rags. Belief in Christ is what counts. Without Christ, the best deed-“

- is as worthless as dirt," James finished the sentence along with his mother.

“Now” she said conclusively, “promise me that you will go around that family no more and I won’t have to tell papa’

James sighed heavily. “Alright”, he said reluctantly. He made sure he was almost out of the kitchen when he turned and said, “But mama, dirt ain’t that worthless, it makes the plants grow.” And he quickly slipped out.

“James!” his mother screamed after him but he was already gone. She then said to herself, “I think this calls for fatherly intervention”.

Mr. Neufville was not at all lenient.

“James”, he said sternly, “I do not even want to hear ever again that you were seen around those people. Do I make myself clear?”

James could not joke with his father the way he did with his mother. “Yes papa,” he answered seriously.

“Good. Now go and study your lessons.”

The next day, in class, Robert noticed that his friend was extremely quiet. Also for the first time, James had no answer for a question thrown at him.

As soon as to recess bell rang, Robert ran to meet his friend at the back of the class.

“Good morning James’, he greeted cheerfully, “how goes it?”

“Fine”, James replied without looking at his friend.

“Are you sure everything’s alright?”

“No Robert. Everything isn’t fine”.

“What’s the problem?” Robert asked with concern.

“Let me not explain it now. You can hear me out after school.”

“Okay, okay, it’s no problem,” Robert said. Then he thought of a way to cheer his friend up.

“Hey James, guess what?” he asked happily. "I asked my parents to go along with you to church this Sunday and they agreed. Won’t that be great?”

“Oh Robert” James said almost in tears. “That would have been great. But I must let you know that my parents do not want you and me to be friends anymore.”

“But why not?” Robert asked both surprised and hurt.

“They say you are not Christians”.

“But what difference does that make?”

“A lot,” James answered and added, "to them."

There was a moment of silence. Both boys stood looking down. It was Robert who finally broke the silence. He lifted his head and with tears in his eyes said, “But can I still go to your church on Sunday as a last act of friendship?”

“Yes you can”, James replied with a sniff. “But you must say another person invited you”.

“I don’t have to call another name”, Robert said. “I can say a friend invited me. I don’t have to tell a lie."

“Why don’t you want to tell a lie?” James asked, an edge of surprise in his voice.

“Because it’s wrong to lie”.

“Who told you its wrong?”

“Come on James, No one has to tell me. I know it’s wrong to tell a lie.”

“But… but…” James stammered”, you are not a Christian”.

“But James” Roberts said, at the verge of anger. “I don’t have to be a Christian to know right from wrong.”

“OK, I’m sorry” James apologized. “I’ll see you in church Robert”.

That Sunday at church, the pastor preached about righteousness. Not the righteousness of our own, but that which is found in Christ.

“It does not matter how good a man is, if he does not have Christ he is doomed to eternal destruction. Until he realizes that without Christ he is nothing, he is indeed nothing. Christ must be the center of everything we do. All the good deeds minus Christ equals zero. However, with Christ we gain all there is to gain.”

Those were words the congregation had heard countless number of times, yet they shouted, “Amen, preach on preacher, etc.”

James was quiet. He too had heard those words many times and had just heard them from his mother a few days ago. He was bored and his mind wandered to the lunch he had had with the Grays.

Robert was also quiet, but unlike James’, his mind remained focused on the preacher, absorbing everything he said.

After the service, the two friends exchange inconspicuous goodbyes. As Robert walked away, the thought of his lost friendship wanted to make him cry. But an even stronger thought pushed that away. He walked home with his head bent down. He was seriously thinking about the sermon. It had really touched him. Never had he heard such words. He had not gone up for the altar call, but had quietly repeated the sinner’s prayer after the preacher. He had hoped Jesus would hearken to his silent prayer and come into his heart. When the prayer had ended, he was sure Jesus had entered into his heart because he had been over-come by an ecstatic feeling.

And so, Robert secretly became a Christian. He did not attend church services on Sundays but he acquired a Bible, which he kept hidden in his room – he read it at least twice a day and said his prayers more often. He earnestly prayed for the day he would be a man of his own, the day when he would not have to hide his belief.

Alas, that prayer was answered. Shortly after Robert acquired his first degree, the Gray family moved to the United States. Robert moved into his own apartment. He was now a man of his own. He quickly found and joined a church. The pastors soon noticed his zeal and faithfulness and he was sent to a Bible school. Upon completion, he was made a Sunday school teacher, and what a teacher he was. His class brought in the most visitors, and subsequently the most church members. He was then promoted to the post of Sunday School Superintendent. Under the leadership of Robert Gray, the Sunday School Department flourished like never before.

Now it was the custom of that church to give each department a Sunday. When the Sunday school’s day came, Robert delivered a message captioned, “We are Guilty.”

The usually noisy church was hushed as Robert quietly but effectively proved from two passages of scripture, Amos chapter six and James chapter four verse seventeen, that the church was guilty of not reaching to the lost souls out there.

“The church has the finances, the man power and every other thing we need to effect foreign missions”, Robert preached. “But we are satisfied. We remain complacent and stagnant while other churches with far less resources have long since sent out missionaries. Sending out missionaries is good and we know it is good. We have the ability to do that good, but we are not doing it. We are guilty.”

At the end of the sermon, Robert called for those who knew they were guilty to go down on their knees and pray for God’s forgiveness, making a vow that with God’s help they would do the good they know they should do. Everyone, from the pastors up on the rostrum down to the ushers standing at the door, went down on his knees and prayed. Some shouted, some raised their hands and faces to heaven, other wept bitterly, yet still others, probably too guilty to even look up to heaven, bowed their heads solemnly and prayed silently. But whatever the manner, Robert could see that they all prayed sincerely and he could not stop his tears from flowing when he saw what God had done through him.

The church went into immediate action. A fund raising rally was organized. The donations, most of which were initial, soared far above expectation. Now it was time to select the first team of missionaries and their destination. And who else was appointed head of the team, yes it was Robert and the destination, Liberia. Almost everyone had seen on television the horrific scenes of the Liberian civil war. It was evident that the country needed to be reintroduced to Christ.

When the team arrived in Monrovia, work was started right away. With Robert as head, the church’s growth was phenomenal. It all begun with a five-day crusade after which the church was established. Worship services started in a single classroom. In no time, the church bought its own land and pitched a large circus-like tent. Then they started building and what an enormous building it was. The membership also grew at an amazing pace. When the building was completed, a team came from the U. S. for the dedicatory service. Robert Gray was ordained pastor.

With the church solidly established in the capital Monrovia, it was now time to take on the rural areas. Pastor Robert Gray already had his plan laid out. He had several evangelists trained intensively as pastors. Then one by one he went along with them into the rural areas and planted churches in the same manner they had done the head church. These pastors were then left in charge, with periodic visits from senior pastor Gray.

Within five years, seven other churches were planted. Pastors were also trained to assist Pastor Gray at the central church. With these assistant pastors, Pastor Gray’s workload was reduced a bit. The hard working bachelor pastor now thought it was time to start a family of his own.

First step, of course, was to get a wife. The pastor started to look through his flock and soon spotted someone on which he exclusively focused for a length of time. She wore no wedding ring, brought no kids to church, and was faithful in all church activity. The pastor concluded she was the one. He would let no one in on this. He would single handedly make his move.

Early Sunday morning, as usual, the pastor was the first to arrive at church save the sexton. Also as usual, he stood at the entrance, greeting the faithful as they streamed in for Sunday school, all the time keeping half of his attention on the road. At last, he saw her car. The luxurious little car pulled into the parking lot. She stepped out looking more beautiful than ever. She exchange pleasantries with a few persons and walked up the stairs to the entrance of the church. As she shook hands with the pastor, she smiled, showing a set of well-set teeth that the pastor knew only the master builder himself could have put in place.

“Could you spare a few minutes after service?” the pastor requested. “I want to have a talk with you in my office."

“Wow”, she exclaimed quietly. “Alright”, she continued, nodding, her hair bouncing gracefully. Then she flashed another mesmerizing smile as she let go of the pastor’s hand. Pastor Robert Gray silently prayed that God forgive him just in case he had committed adultery in his heart.

After the day’s services, the pastor entered his office and waited. It did not take long, when two gentle raps came on the door, followed by the turning of the knob and in stepped “the future Mrs. Gray.”

“Good afternoon pastor”, she greeted.

“Good afternoon sister, please sit down”.

”Thanks.”

“I’m sorry if it comes as a surprise to you” the pastor began, “but I do not know your name”

“Tracy”

“Nice name”.

“Thanks”

“I’m once again sorry if I seem to be going a bit into your private life”, Pastor Gray apologized, “but I do have my reason.”

“Go on”, Tracy said.

Those short answers given in a flat voice were apparently intended to dissuade the pastor from asking further. However, a very few things ever stop Pastor Gray. He went right on.

“Are you married?” he asked

“No”.

The pastor gave a broad smile. Tracy did not return the smile. Pastor Gray wondered why but continued. “Will you like to become” this was the only place he paused. He inhaled deeply and let out the two last words with all the CO2 he had within, “my wife?”

As expected, the impact on Tracy was obvious. She abruptly went back in her seat like she had been hit in her chest. She stared wide eyed at the pastor for a moment. Then she lowered her gaze.

“Is there a problem?” Pastor Gray asked

“Yes,” Tracy replied softly. “Yes pastor, there is a problem”.

Pastor Gray did not think there was going to be a problem. He however did not ask what the problem was. He just waited for Tracy to continue. After about half a minute, Tracy spoke.

“All along I thought you called me in here to rebuke me. Little did I know...”

“Rebuke you?” the pastor interrupted with surprise. “Why?”

“I’m not married pastor. But I live with a man, we even have kids, I thought you knew that”.

“No” said the pastor managing an outward show of calm. “I sincerely did not know. Do you think he loves you, Tracy?”

“I do not have any doubt he does”. She replied.

“Then why hasn’t he married you? How long have you been together?”

“Fifteen years” Tracy replied ruefully.

“How many kids?”

“Two”.

The pastor looked at Tracy questioningly and she answered the question in the pastor’s look.

“He says it doesn’t matter pastor. He says he loves me with all his heart and doesn’t need any flamboyant ceremony to show it”.

“It’s not about flamboyancy my dear Tracy,” Pastor Gray interjected, “We are talking about the legal implications. What if he dies today, what becomes of you and the kids?”

“His insurance policies take care of that,” Tracy answered.

“But Tracy what about the Christian side of it? You know it is wrong to live with a man to whom you are not married."

“Don’t do this to me pastor”, Tracy said with a mixture of sorrow and anger.

“Don’t do what?” the pastor asked puzzled.

“Why are you talking as if I am against marriage? Do you have any idea how much I desire to be a married woman? You seem not to have any idea how much effort I have made, how many times I’ve tried to persuade him to marry me." Tracy voice had now reached a crescendo. “I’ve talked to him over and over again.” Then her voice cracked as she said, “Pastor, it’s just not working.” Tears formed around the rim of her eyes and flowed down.

Pastor Gray felt compassion so great that he wanted to cuddle Tracy. But the pastor also felt anger. A burning anger against the man who was treating such a gem this way

“Can I talk to him?” pastor Gray asked, making no effort to hide his anger.

Tracy nodded several times as she fumbled in her bag and brought out a handkerchief with which she dabbed he cheeks.

“Can we do that next week Sunday?" Pastor Gray asked as he stood.

Tracy nodded once again. “Thanks Pastor” she said, “and sorry for me shouting."

"It is no problem." Pastor Gray said. “If I were you I would have shouted even louder.”

Tracy managed to smile. The pastor smiled back. Then they both laughed as they went out.

Pastor Gray took one day of the week to fast and pray for what he was sure will be another conversion. All week he felt elated, because through him, the angels in heaven would rejoice over a repentant sinner.

Sunday came and after service, Pastor Gray and Tracy rode in her car.

“So what does your husband to be do?” the pastor inquired. Tracy smiled at the way the pastor confidently said husband to be.

“Business”, she answered, “diverse kinds. I know you have seen a lot of taxis and buses with J. N. written on them”.

“Yeah, yeah there are quite a lot of them around town”, said the pastor.

“That’s right,” Tracy said. “They are his. He also imports heavy duty machines, trucks, caterpillars and the likes. He rents them out to the Government and other private construction and agricultural companies”.

“Wow’, pastor Gray exclaimed impressively

“Yeah”, Tracy went on, no doubt feeling proud of her man. “He’s always starting something new. “Experimenting” is the term he uses, and if it works it remains. As far as I have observed everything he has ever experimented with has worked, the supermarkets, restaurants-"

"Wow!" pastor exclaimed again interrupting Tracy, "supermarkets?"

“Uh huh,” Tracy said, “There are several around.”

"And here we are." she said as she turned the car off the road and stopped in front of a huge black gate.

From the outside, the house looked ordinary. But upon entering, the pastor saw that it was ultra-modern. Soft jazz music seemed to emanate from the walls. A little girl, who the pastor reckoned to be at most thirteen years old, was seated in front of a large flat-screened television. There was no sound coming from the TV yet the girl had all her attention on it. The pastor observed with some surprise that she was watching the international business news. A boy of about nine years old was slumped backwards on the sofa reading a celebrity magazine. The man of the home himself was seated in a dark corner behind a computer. He was wearing glasses and, the pastor wondered why, a baseball cap, which gave him the look of a studious college student. The three were so engrossed in what they were doing that they did not seem to notice Tracy and the pastor’s entry.

“Hello everyone”, Tracy greeted cheerfully. The boy and the man looked up but the girl continued looking at the TV. It was then that Pastor Robert noticed that she had tiny earphones in her ears, which were connected to the television. Tracy walked over to her and gave her a gentle tap on the shoulder when she turned and saw her mother, she quickly pulled the ear plugs out her ears and sprang into her mom’s arms. After kissing her daughter, Tracy turned around and greeted her waiting son in the same manner. Then she gave their waiting father a modified version.

“Alright, all of you”, Tracy said,” please meet my pastor. Pastor Robert Gray, this is my little family.”

First the girl then, the boy said hi. When Pastor Gray looked at their father, he was looking directly into his eyes.

“If that stern look is intended to intimidate me,” the pastor thought, “you lose.”

The man walked over to the pastor and offered his hand. “Nice to meet you pastor,” he said in a voice devoid of every emotion. “Do sit down.”

“Thanks”

As the adults sat, the kids left.

“What do I get you to drink pastor?” Tracy asked

“Thanks Tracy” Pastor Gray said. “But not now, first things first."

Then turning to the man, the pastor said flatly

“I always see your … I mean Sister Tracy in church, but I don’t see you”

“I know that,” the man said.

“Why not,” the pastor asked.

“

Why don’t you go to the mosque on Fridays?”

“Are you a Muslim?” the pastor asked

“No I’m only asking"

Pastor Gray leaned forward. “OK,” he said sternly. “I do not go the mosque because

I’m not a Muslim."

“Good,” said the man. “I also do not go to church on Sunday because I’m not a Christian.

“I know why you’re here pastor,” he continued before the pastor could speak. “You are here to reconvert me to Christianity and then make me marry Tracy”

Pastor Gray looked at Tracy

“No, no, no” the man said bringing the pastor’s attention back to him. “She did not tell me. I just knew it was coming from the day she started attending your church."

“Anyway,” he went on. “For a very good reason I’ll do the latter. But please pastor, consider the former impossible”.

“Did I hear you say reconvert?” The pastor asked frowning.

“You sure did,” the man answered.

“Meaning you were once…” the pastor started to say.

“Yep,” the man interrupted the pastor’s question. “I was once a Christian. In fact I was born a Christian”. Then he went on dreamily. “Then I was shown the light. And I am totally convinced that it is the light that has made me what I am today. That is why, dear Pastor, I feel obliged to marry Tracy, because you are asking me to”.

“I don’t understand”. Pastor said. Neither did he understand why the man was laughing.

.“Okay, Okay," the pastor continued, “let’s forget about if I understand or not. Since your feel obliged to marry Tracy because I asked you to, I am also asking you to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Do you feel obliged?”

The man laughed again. “Were you born a Christian?” he asked

“No” pastor answered.

“How did you become one?”

“Many years ago I attended this church service and the preaching converted me, why are you-”

“What will you do?” the man interrupted, "when that same preacher man comes to you and tell you to become an unbeliever?”

“What does this has to do with what we are discussing?” the pastor asked.

“A lot,” the man said. "Pastor Gray you are asking me to do just that."

The pastor frowned heavily “What are you talking about?" He asked in total confusion.

The man did not answer. Instead, he took off his cap and glasses and stared straight at the pastor.

Pastor Gray gasped. “James” he whispered too flabbergasted to speak louder.

“What’s going on here?” Tracy broke in the conversation for the first time, looking from one face to the other.

“It’s me Robert, your good old friend. Remember the day I followed you to your house? Yes, Robert that was the day you converted me. That was the day you showed me the light."

The look of shock on the pastor’s face slowly faded and reformed into that of sadness. Tears formed in The Pastor’s eyes and he could do nothing to stop it from rolling down his face.

“Oh don’t be sad Robert,” James said. “You have converted a lot of people to Christ. I’m sure God will forgive you for converting only one soul away from Christ." Then he turned to Tracy and said, “I think your pastor needs his drink now, Mrs. Neufville to be.”

Pastor Robert Gray knew his old friend was right. God will and has already forgiven him. But the question on his mind was; will he ever be able to forgive himself?

~End~