We didn't plan it. It just happened to work out that way. During our week in Mississippi in May, we learned that Pastor Joe was receiving his Doctorate in Theology. He didn't even tell us! Someone else happened to mention it to us while we were there. Thankfully, the ceremony was being held the day before we had to pack our bags and head for home.
An amazing accomplishment for the son of a sharecropper who was not often relieved of his chores in order to attend school. There "wasn't time for studying when there was work to be done on the farm" he was told. From the age of about 7, Joe was expected to work sun up to sun down picking cotton for the farmer whose land they lived on and worked.
Joe isn't bitter, though. Instead, he looks back at his childhood with a smile on his face and reminisces about his wonderful parents who brought their children up in a loving Christian home. They taught their children not to hate anyone. They also taught them not to look at the color of someone's skin. All of this made him the man he is today and for that, he is grateful.
And so are we. Congratulations, Joe!
~Nancy
1 comment:
Permit me, a total stranger, also to congratulate him on his great achievement.
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