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03/28/2004: "Chin"

by Carol J. Warren

Once upon a time there was a young Native American Indian boy named Chinereth, but most people called him Chin for short. He was tall and sleek with long flowing brown hair that he kept in braids trailing down the brown skin of his back. He loved to play at the nearby creek, especially in the summer when it was hot. He would sit under the little waterfall to get cool or he might swim or even try to catch a fish with his bare hands or a spear. When he tired of that he would lay on a large flat rock in the hot sun to dry. The warmth just seemed to soak him through and through. He would watch the clouds in the sky floating lazily by and the branches of the trees stirring gently in the breeze overhead.

One day as Chin was playing by the creek he noticed an unusual rock. It was shinny and black, almost like glass. Its sides were smooth and its edges sharp. It caught the light and shone with satiny blackness. Chin thought it was very special indeed. He had been playing in that creek all of his life and he had never seen such a rock before or even heard of such a rock.

Chin sat it down on a large rock and determined that when he was done playing he would take it to his mother and ask her about it. Perhaps she could make some jewelry out of it for Chin but until then Chin was going to build a rock wall. He liked to stack the flat river rocks and make things from them. He was lifting a particularly large rock over his head to set it on top of his rock wall when he slipped on a wet rock and fell. The large rock came crashing down behind him on top of the shinny black rock.

“Oh no.” Chin thought, “I bet I have ruined my special rock.” He carefully picked the large rock up and threw it to the side. The black rock had shattered into many pieces. Chin began to pick up the pieces one by one to examine them to see if they were still worth having. But then something clear and shiny caught Chin’s eye. It wasn’t black at all but it was evident that it had come from inside the black shiny rock. It was clear and it sparkled like the sun. Chin had never seen anything like it.

Chin grabbed the shiny rock and ran to show it to his mother before something else could happen to it. His mother looked at it with wonder. She called Chin’s dad and he looked at it too. Together with Chin they took it to the elders to see what they thought of it. One by one they examined it passing it around in the circle of elders, none speaking until the last one had examined it.

Finally the Chief spoke. “Some time ago white men came by river, trapping the animals for their furs. They asked us if we had seen clear sparkling rocks or golden shiny rocks but we said we had not. Later I heard the men speaking when they thought I could understand. They said the clear sparkling rocks were of great value to the white men and they were worth much money, as were the golden shiny rocks. It was not until some years later that I came to understand the money white men use. They trade with us for blankets and knives, things we can use. But they trade with each other for this money. Sometimes it is metal money and sometimes it is paper. Then they can take this money to places that have many things they want blankets, boats, guns, lamps, knives and many more things and they trade the money for these things. One hand full of money will buy many, many things.” The Chief paused studying the rock. “I believe this shiny clear rock is one of the rocks of great value they spoke of.”

“Then our village can be rich.” Chin blurted out, “We can sell this rock for many things.” Chin’s dad put his hand on Chin’s arm as a warning. Chin was too young to even be in the counsel meeting. Had he not been the one that found the rock he would not be there now. To speak without being asked was unacceptable.

The Chief held up his hand in a way that said it was ok, this time. Then he answered Chin. “This would be the case if a white man owned the rock. You are right it would be of great value and it would buy many things for our village but it is not the case if one of us own the rock and try to sell it. They would only give us trinkets and a few blankets because they think we don’t know its real value and there is nothing we can do about it.”

“But that’s not fair.” Chin blurted out. Then a stern look from his dad silenced him.

Then another elder spoke. “You are right my son, it is not fair. But for some reason the white man sees it that way. None of us understand why. They seem to think it is wrong to cheat another white man but it is not wrong to cheat one of us. They do not see us as equal to them, so in their eyes whatever they do to us that would normally be unfair doesn’t count as bad.”

This time Chin’s dad spoke. “Then what shall we do with the rock?”

“Keep it safe and hidden.” Said the elder, “The day may come when things change. But for now if the white men know we have it they will tear our land apart looking for more and we don’t want that. Tell no one else about it, not even in our own village. We will hide it and wait.” Then the Chief indicated the meeting was over and handed the shiny rock to Chin’s dad.

One the way home Chin asked again, “Why would the white man pay a good price to other white men if they brought the shiny rock but they would not buy it for a good price from us?”

“I honestly don’t know?” Chin’s father answered, “It is the way the white men see us. For some reason they see us as not really being people, so if they cheat us somehow they think that it doesn’t count. I wouldn’t worry over it if I were you. It’s just a rock. I will keep it safe for you, you just concentrate on becoming a great warrior.”
“Like my dad.” Chin said grinning. Chin’s dad grinned in return. But many times through the next few years Chin would think of the shiny rock. Sometimes things were hard for his people and he knew if he could just sell that shiny rock at the settlement for what it was really worth things would be better. His mind would turn over and over trying to think of a solution. Sometimes he couldn’t sleep at night because he was thinking so much about what he could do to find a way to sell that rock for a white man’s price.

After several years when Chin was 17, he saw some of the braves in his village getting ready for a hunting party. They put grease paint across their face and arms. They used several different colors. It didn’t rub off very easy and it seemed to blend in to the skin. That gave Chin an idea. He remembered that there was a dead white man in the woods near Bear Point. No one had ever touched the body or bothered it in any way because it was considered bad medicine. Evidently the white man had been on a hunting trip and froze to death in a blizzard. Chin knew that it was considered bad medicine to touch a dead man but Chin felt that this was important enough to take a chance. He had an idea and to make it work he needed the dead white man’s clothes.

Chin came back with the clothes and other items that had belonged to the dead white man. His mother washed them and made them look presentable then Chin put them on. They fit pretty good, the shoes were a little big but he didn’t think anyone would notice that. It was a long sleeve shirt with long pants and a jacket. He had big boots and a pack of supplies with a hunting rifle. The only thing the outfit left showing was Chin’s hands and face.

Chin blended the grease paint they used on the hunting trip until it was the color of the white man’s skin. Carefully with his mothers help him rub it into his skin, rubbing it in smoothly so it would not come off easily. Then he put the clothes on and last of all he put his hair up under his hat. He went to the Chief in his new outfit and explained what he was about to do. He was about to go to the trading post and pretend to be a white man to sell the sparkling rock. The Chief was amazed at how much Chin looked and talked like a white man. From the time Chin had been very small Chin had practiced talking and acting white with every trapper and hunter he saw. He was very convincing. Some of the council was not sure it was a good idea. If the white men found out that Chin had tricked them, they might be angry with the entire tribe. But the Chief knew times were desperate and so he gave his blessing. Chin was off to the trading post to see if he could pull this off.

This came at a particularly bad time for Chin’s people. The summer had been very hot and their crops of corn and squash had not grown well. Game was sparse as they too wandered looking for better grassland. So Chin’s people really needed this to work. It could make a difference in their survival. As Chin neared the Trading Post his heart pounded and though the fall air was chilled, Chin was sweating. He gulped, and tried to calm down. To pull this off he must not be nervous, he must act like he does this sort of thing all the time.

He walked into the Trading Post and began to pick up different items and try to understand the tags on them; Chin did not know it was the price. It was not uncommon for a person during those times not to be able to read, so when Chin seemed puzzled at some of the price tags the owner just assumed it was because he couldn’t read. “Don’t worry over reading that stuff,” the owner said, “I’ll help you with that. A lot of people can’t read. That says that this 50 pound bag of flour is $2. Do you want a bag?”

This was the moment Chin had dreaded. Chin now had to not only look white but he must also sound white. “I’m just gonna look first.” Chin said calmly.

“Well just take your time Mr.,” The man said studying him, “If there’s anything you need to ask about just let me know. What’s your name son?”

“Chin knew ahead of time that he would need a white man’s name, so he was prepare for this. He also knew white men for some reason have to have two names. He used the first name of one trapper and the last name of another. “My name is Jack Hendricks and I do have one question,” Chin said. He looked calm on the outside but inside his knees were shaking and his heart was pounding. Careful, he warned himself, talk slow and don’t get in a hurry. “I found this in the creek. I think it might be very valuable but I don’t know where to go to check it out.” He handed the sparkling rock to the man.

The man took it behind the counter and pulled out a small magnifying glass. He studied it very carefully. “Yes,” He said studying the rock, “This is very valuable. Were there any more like this?” he asked greedily.

“No, I only found this one.” Chin said honestly, “It was inside a black shiny rock that had washed down the creek.”

“That’s a shame that there’s only one. No telling where it washed down the creek from.” The man said, “But anyway you can sell this in the settlement at the land office. Just ask for Tony and tell him Bill sent you. He’ll take good care of you.”

“Thanks,” Chin said and started to leave.

“And kid,” The man said, “If you ever find out where this one came from remember me.”

“Sure thing,” Chin said. Chin was on his way to the settlement. He wasn’t exactly sure what he would find there. He had heard many strange tales about the white man’s village, where everything was made of rock and wood. He had passed for white at the Trading Post, now if he could just convince the people at the settlement land office, he would have it made.

As he walked into town he passed the Livery Stable. He asked the man there where the Land Office was. He pointed Chin in the direction of the Land Office hardly paying him any attention at all. But Chin could not read, so he could not tell which sign said Land Office. He asked another man coming out of the Barber Shop; he pointed to an office across the street and just kept walking. No one was paying any attention to Chin at all; it was as though he fit in perfectly.

Chin walked into the Land Office and asked to talk with Tony. A large man with dark hair and a bushy beard came out of the back. “I’m Tony,” He said rather loudly, “What can I do for you?”

“Hi, my name is Jack Hendricks. Bill at the Trading Post sent me, he said you would be able to help me.” Chin said getting nervous again.

“Good ole Bill.” Tony said, “Sure anything for Bill, how’s that ole rascal doing?”

“He’s fine.” Chin said trying not to rush the man though he wanted to.

“So what did you need?” Tony asked.

Chin brought the sparkling rock out of his pocket and showed it to Tony. “He said you could help me sell this.”

“Wow, a diamond.” Tony said taking an eyepiece down and looking at it carefully, “a good quality diamond at that. Are there more where this one came from?”

“No,” Chin said carefully, “I found it in the creek. It was inside a black shiny rock. I have never seen one like it before.”

“That’s a shame.” Tony said, “Cause I could sell as many of these as you could bring me.”

“If I ever find out where it washed into the creek you will be the first one to know.” Chin said.

Tony offered Chin three hundred dollars for the diamond. Chin hesitated; he had no idea how much money three hundred dollars was. He didn’t know if it was a good deal or not or how much it would buy so he looked away trying to think about it. Tony thought he was holding out for more money. “Ok, ok,” Tony said, “Four hundred dollars and that’s a good deal.”

But still Chin waited. He was not sure and he didn’t know what to do. Finally Tony got angry, “I guess you know more about diamonds than I thought you did kid, five hundred dollars take it or leave it. That’s my last offer.”

Chin felt by the way Tony spoke now was the time to take him up on it. So Chin walked out of the Land Office with five hundred dollars in his pocket, in the early eighteen hundreds that was a lot of money. First Chin began to go from store to store, not buying just checking prices and planning what he should buy and what he could buy and how far his money would go. He knew that he had to plan things carefully and that he couldn’t just think of himself but he needed to think of what was best for all his people. He also knew the longer he stayed in town the more of a chance he was taking that someone would figure out that he was not a white man, so he needed to think fast. He wished he had more time. He wished his dad were here with him. He would know just what to do. But his dad was not here so Chin would just have to do the best he could.

He bought a very nice horse and a wagon. He bought supplies like flour, salt, dried corn and beans and salt tack. He purchased tools, blankets, cloth and knives. He bought everything his village need for months to come and more. For himself he bought a musket loading rifle and plenty of shot and powder to learn how to use it. Then he loaded it all in the wagon and headed for home. Soon he was past all the settlements and all the white man’s trails and roads. Though the trails ended Chin knew where to go and before day break he was home.

He had pulled it off. His entire village came out to meet him. The young man that beat the white man at his own game. The village had a large feast to celebrate but even though Chin was happy that he had sold the diamond and that his village had food and supplies now, something kept bothering him. Everyone had been so nice to him, so helpful but he knew if they saw him, as he really was that would all change. Why? He needed to know. He thought about it all the time. Why? Why would they treat him differently if they knew who he really was?

From then on Chin determined to learn everything he could about the white man to help him understand. Perhaps if he understood why, he could help change things for the better. He spent hours with every trapper that came through talking with them about white man customs and rules. There were so many rules. Many of the things seemed to keep boiling down to the white man’s God. But most of the trappers and people he saw at the Trading Post were not very devout about serving their God and either did not know much about the white man’s God or did not want to talk about it. Chin studied the way they walked and the expressions they used when they talked with each other. He had every mannerism down to an art. He could now impersonate a white man perfectly but he still did not understand why the white man thought of the Indians the way they did.

One day when Chin was on a long hunting trip far from home he came across a young woman getting a bucket of water at the creek. Chin was close to where she was before either of them realized the other person was there. He had no time to disguise the fact that he was an Indian and he could tell that she was ready to run in terror.

He called to her in his best white man’s voice asking her to please pardon his appearance, as he did not know there would be a young lady so far in the wilds. She was startled and confused when she heard such a fine white man’s voice coming from an Indian and was unsure of what to do next. She paused listening but was ready to run at the slightest provocation.

Chin carefully maintained his distance where he could speak with her but was not so close to her that she felt more threatened than she already did. Chin was silent for a while and then he felt since she already knew that he was an Indian perhaps he could take a chance and ask her a few questions if she would permit him. “I have been hunting.” Chin said calmly hoping that his calm voice would calm her down. “I do not mean to be forward but I wondered if perhaps it would be acceptable for me to ask you a few questions. Would you mind; if I promise to be careful to keep my distance?”

The young woman thought about it for a few minutes, she had never been confronted with anything like this before and didn’t know what to think. But she was very curious about Chin, so she finally consented and sat on a rock by the creek. But she was ready to take off running should Chin make any threatening moves. Chin did not want to appear forward as white people considered this rude, so he tried to speak slowly and mind his white man’s manners. “I appreciate your taking the time to listen to me. I know it must be uncomfortable for you.” Chin began, “I was wondering if you could please tell me why white people think of Indians as less than human, I mean as not equal to themselves?”

She looked at him with a blank stare. This was not the sort of question she had been prepared for, so Chin continued. “For example,” Chin said, “It is wrong for a white man to cheat another white man but it is not wrong for that same white man to cheat an Indian. I have tried very hard to understand these things but I can’t figure it out. Can you please help me?”

It was evident to the young woman, whose name was Martha, that Chin was no ordinary Indian. He was certainly not like any of the other Indians she had seen hanging around the Trading Post. She was silent for a moment thinking about his question, Chin waited. “From the time of the first settlers the Indians have burned our houses and killed our settlers, men, women and even children. Therefore the settlers see the Indians as a ruthless enemy. Even if the Indians are being nice to you for the moment, it is considered that they will turn on you if given the slightest chance because they hate all settlers. No one knows why. Most think it is because they consider all of this their land and that we are trespassing but white people feel that there is enough land for all of us. That is one reason. The other reason is well, no offense, Indians are heathen savages.”
This is a term Chin had heard before ‘heathen savages’ but he never understood what it meant. “What does that mean, heathen savage?” Chin asked.

“Anyone that does not serve our God is considered a heathen. And a savage is like an animal, they don’t care about wearing clothes or Godly laws and morals, and therefore they are considered a lesser people. For example,” she said, “no offense but look at you, you’re not wearing a shirt. In our way of thinking you are half naked and any one that would run around half naked cannot have the kind of morals civilization demands.”

Chin looked at the way he was dressed. He apologized once again for his appearance. Then he asked another question. “Do white people view all Indians the same then?”

“Well yes,” she said, “shouldn’t we?”

“No,” Chin said, surprised at her answer. “We are not the same at all. There are some tribes that are very violent and some tribes are peaceful. Some tribes will kill you for just crossing their path and some will help you and befriend you as long as you give them a chance and treat them fairly. Then just as with the white men, in every tribe there are people that are good and people that are bad. We all have our angry men and our peace makers.”

Martha too was learning something. She loved to learn new things. But Chin was more practical. “Then it is not proper for me to be here with you dressed as I am.” Chin said getting up. “If I wear white man’s clothes, may I come again and speak with you if I promise to be civilized?”

Martha was taken back by the question. She had only thought about this moment. “Well I suppose it couldn’t hurt anything as long as you behave yourself.” She said hesitantly. “I guess it’s ok.”

“Then one week from today at this same time, I will come again.” Then without another word Chin left. All the way back to the village he thought about what he had learned from Martha. He now understood much more about why white men hated the Indians so. They thought they were all the same. But it also boiled down again to questions about their God. Chin wanted to learn more about this God and His civilized morals. But he knew he must be very patient and not move too quickly. Yes he must be careful because white men misunderstand things so easily and he did not want to cause trouble for himself or his people.

Each week Chin came at the same time and asked Martha questions about the white men and their God. Now when he came he wore his grease paint and white man’s clothes so he would not be offensive. Martha kept trying to show him things in the Bible but Chin could not read. Finally Chin asked if Martha would use their times together and begin to teach him to read. Perhaps if he could read and study this book of their God he would finally understand it all.

Martha had schoolbooks from her younger brothers that she could use so she consented. Chin was learning so fast that Martha was amazed at how very intelligent this man she had once considered a savage really was.

Then one day while Chin was studying with Martha her dad showed up to water the horses. Chin immediately stood up and greeted him in his best white mans voice. But to his surprise Martha’s dad was still extremely angry. Chin spoke quickly. “Sir, have I done something offensive? If I have I apologize. Your daughter has been teaching me to read.”

“It’s true dad,” Martha said holding up the schoolbooks. “He was embarrassed to tell anyone that he couldn’t read so he asked me to teach him down here by the creek.”

Martha’s dad began to calm down some. “Son don’t you know that it’s not proper to be alone with a young lady unless your married to her?”

“No sir,” Chin said thinking of how many strange rules white men have, “I didn’t know that. It’s not the custom where I come from.”

“Well it’s the custom around these parts.” Martha’s dad said sternly, “Look here, I don’t mind you wanting to learn to read. I didn’t learn till I was fully growed either. But you have to come to the house where there are other people around to do it and introduce yourself to the family proper like. I don’t recall seeing you around here, where are you from son?”

Chin answered calmly but suddenly he wasn’t feeling very calm. “I’m sorry sir, I didn’t introduce myself. My name is Jack Hendricks. I am a hunter living pretty much out on my own away from home. I come through this part of the country pretty often. I met your daughter on accident while I was out hunting one day.” Martha’s mouth flew open but she quickly shut it. She and Chin had become friends; she wasn’t going to say anything about his white man’s name and true identity.

“Well come on up to the house and meet the missus and the little ones.” Martha’s dad said extending his large rough hand in welcome, “My name is Tom, Tom Ferguson. It’s good to see another man about these parts what with all the Indians about and all, you never know when you’ll need an extra gun around. You know how it is. Well Jack it’s just about supper time, I’d be mighty pleased for you to stay for supper.”

Chin noticed his comment about Indians but carefully sidestepped it for now. He also knew it would be an insult to turn down this man’s invitation to supper, so he said yes. He was still very nervous with the whole situation. But then again perhaps he could learn more in a family setting about the white man and his ways.

The more he learned the more he realized that there was just so much ignorance on the white man’s part as to who the Indians were and the differences in the different tribes of Indians.

Chin made it through supper and promised to come back next week. Soon he was a regular friend of the family. He helped Tom with many of his chores from time to time and learned a lot about white man’s farm life. He began to notice that when Tom came into the house he took his hat off. Chin didn’t dare do that or all of his hair would fall out. So when he went back to his village he asked his mom to cut his hair. She and his dad had been bothered by a few things and felt this would be a good time to talk with Chin about it. “Chin,” she said, “you are not trying to become a white man are you? You haven’t forgotten that you are an Indian have you?”

Chin grinned, “I could hardly forget,” Chin said pointing to his smooth brown skin. “But even if I could forget, I don’t want to. I am proud to be an Indian but I see nothing wrong with learning more about the white men especially if it will help us make peace with them one day.” His parents were pleased with his answer. His mom cut his hair. The next time Chin went to the farm he took his hat off when he went into the house. Tom looked pleased.

Chin chose his words carefully, because so many of the things that made the Indian undesirable to the white man had to do with the white man’s God. Chin wanted to learn more about this God. So Chin asked Tom, “I never learned much about being a Christian growing up, being out in the woods so much and all and I feel like I’ve missed out on something really important. Do you know how I can go about learning more about being a Christian?”

Tom was pleased to hear that. He was a Christian and right proud of it. “Well sure son,” Tom said, “I’ll take you to see Pastor John in the morning. He is a man of the cloth and he will be able to tell you anything you want to know.”

The next day Tom took Chin to see Pastor John. They talked for hours. Chin was able to work around the fact that he didn’t know anything about being a Christian because of growing up in the woods hunting and trapping with his dad. He used it as an excuse for a lot of customs he didn’t understand. Pastor John told Chin he needed to come to church when he was in the area. So the next Sunday for the first time Chin went to church. He liked the singing and the way everything felt like one big family.

He had come to understand who the Lord Jesus Christ was and had honestly told Pastor John that he would like to believe that the things he told him were true but he needed to find out for himself. He wanted to make sure he wasn’t just saying that he was a Christian but that he really believed. Pastor John understood and said that he would be praying for Chin. That Sunday morning something happened inside Chin.

He can’t explain it all but suddenly in his heart he knew that Jesus Christ was Lord and that he had died not just for the white man’s sins but for Chin’s sins as well. He knew but he couldn’t tell you how he knew, he just knew and the presence of the Lord was all around him. When Pastor John gave the altar call Chin began to cry. He didn’t understand what he was suppose to do during an altar call but he knew he wanted to be saved, so when Pastor John asked him if he wanted to accept the Lord he almost ran down front to kneel at the altar.

The whole church was praising the Lord. They were all so excited and happy for Chin. Pastor John gave Chin a Bible for his very own. Chin felt very honored to have it. He wrapped it in oilcloth so nothing could harm it and later made a leather carrying case for it. He would read it for hours and then save up questions for the next time he saw Pastor John. But something was bothering him. He was a Christian now; he was supposed to be honest. He was supposed to tell the truth no matter what. But he had not been honest with his good friend Tom. Tom still thought he was a white man. He knew he would be risking everything if told Tom he was an Indian. Who knows he might even get angry enough to kill him but Chin had to tell his friend the truth. He had to do what was right no matter what the cost. If he was going to be a Christian he was going to do it with all of his heart.

When Chin came to the farm he no longer had reading lessons. He could read better than any of them now. He usually went to find Tom and help him with what ever he was doing. Tom was out in the field getting ready to plow when Chin walked up. Chin said, “Tom, my friend, I need to talk with you for a moment.” He had such a serious look on his face that Tom stopped what he was doing and gave Chin his undivided attention.

“When I first came here it was very important to me that you like me.” Chin began, “I wanted to know more about you and your people so I pretended to be one of you but now you are my friend and I am a Christian, so I cannot deceive you any more.” Chin took a deep breath, “My name is not really Jack Hendricks it’s Chinereth. I am called Chin for short. I am an Indian.”

The look of shock on Tom’s face was enough to tell Chin that Tom had no idea. At first Tom didn’t believe him, he thought it was all a joke but then Chin continued, “I wanted to know why white men hate Indians, why they think of us as less than human? Why it’s wrong to cheat another white man but not wrong to cheat an Indian. The only way I knew to understand that was to spend time with you and learn your ways. Then maybe we could learn how to have peace with each other. All I can say is I meant no harm to anyone, and I really do consider you my friend. I wouldn’t blame you if you never want me to come back and if that’s what you want I will honor your wishes and I will understand.”

Chin was quiet for a moment waiting for Tom to respond. Finally Tom spoke. “I don’t know what to think,” Tom said, “part of me is madder than fire that you lied to me, but then I can kind of understand too. Part of me wants to hate you for being an Indian but part of me knows you too well. I’ve seen the hard working helpful kind of person you are. I don’t know. I just don’t know. I need some time to think. It’s just overwhelming. Give me a week. I’ve got to sort through all this.”

“Ok,” Chin said sadly, “I will come back in one week and what ever your decision I will abide by it.” Then Chin left. To Chin it was the longest week he had ever seen but finally the time came to face Tom again. When he walked up onto the porch Tom came out to meet him. He had been waiting for him. “Well,” Tom said, “I finally came to realize that the man I have come to know and love and trust, is the same Indian or not. So if you still want to be friends so do I.”

Chin was so happy that he gave the older farmer a big hug, which made Tom blush but pleased him. “Now for the hard part,” Tom said, “We have to tell the rest of the settlement the truth too. It’s only right. I have already talked to Pastor John and he understands; he’s on our side and he will help us however he can. He will let you talk to the people Sunday morning in church.”

That Sunday morning Chin did not wear his grease paint. He sat near the back and people didn’t even notice him at first. The Pastor preached on Acts 17:26 "And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their pre-appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation,” Then he asked Chin to come up and make his announcement.

When Chin walked up people began to murmur. “Isn’t that Jack Hendricks, look at his skin, it’s turned brown.” Chin made his apologies for deceiving them and told them the truth and then he told them why. There were some angry murmurs until Tom stood up and held up his hand. “You know Jack is a friend of mine. He has helped me on my farm for free many times and he’s helped a lot of you as well, never asking anything in return but the right hand of fellowship. Mary Martin when your husband got hurt and you couldn’t get your crops in, who came and helped you get your crops in? The rest of us had to get our crops in but Jack here, he step right in to help.”

“When he got saved and water baptized you were all there and happy for him.” Tom continued, “Aren’t we supposed to be spreading the gospel to all peoples? You should be even happier for him now. He is not just an Indian he is a fellow Christian and I for one am going to stand by him. He could have kept deceiving us. It would have been easy but he’s learning how to be a Christian and he has found Christian’s don’t lie. It had to be hard thing for him to come up here and talk to us as he has. It took a real Christian man to do that and it will take some real Christian forgiveness to show him we are real Christian’s too.”

A few people walked out but most of the people came up and patted Chin on the back. They asked if they could keep calling him Jack as that was easier for them and he said that would be fine. Most of them reckoned that Chin being a Christian made him more like them and not really an Indian any more.

Chin had already explained to his family and his village all about becoming a Christian and all it meant to him. They were uneasy with this news but agreed that they would like to learn more about it. Chin asked Pastor John if one day a week he would come to his village to preach the gospel. No one was pushed into feeling like they had to come listen or be saved but it was there if they really wanted it. After all if it wasn’t real in their hearts it wouldn’t matter anyway.

Many of the Indians received the Lord Jesus Christ as their savior. Tom and his family came when they could as well as some of the other settlers to encourage the new Christians in the tribe. They decided to build a small church in the village and many of the town’s people came to help. Chin’s mom and dad got saved, which made Chin very happy.

The friendship between Chin and Tom grew. They would even tease each other about being white or brown. Chin teased Tom because he had to scrape his face with a sharp dangerous razor just to get the hair off when Chin’s face was naturally smooth. Then Tom would tease Chin that when God made him, God must have left him in the oven too long cause he got all burnt around the edges and that was why he was so brown. It was all good-natured fun.

As time went on Chin began to feel differently towards Martha. He knew that he was falling in love with her. He didn’t want to do anything to hurt his friendship with Tom or anything Tom considered wrong, especially for his own selfish needs and desires when so much good and peace had been accomplished between the two peoples. So Chin went to Tom. He told Tom how he felt about Martha and though they were friends, he knew that he was still an Indian and Tom probably didn’t want his daughter marrying an Indian and all that went with that. He knew it meant that their children would be called half-breeds, which was a hard thing to face.

“The truth of the matter is,” Chin said, “I would have to go away and not come back if you decide not to give me her hand in marriage because you are my friend I will honor your wishes but I cannot trust my heart to stay near her the way that I feel.”

Again Tom asked for a week to sort out his feelings. He knew a mixed marriage would not be easy. He talked it over with Pastor John and prayed about it a great deal. Then he talked with Martha to see how she felt. The truth of the matter was she felt the same way about Chin. She loved him and wanted to marry him. When Chin came back Tom had his answer ready, “I can’t think of anyone I’d rather have for a son-in-law. You already are a son to me in so many ways. It only seems right. I know it won’t be easy but my name carries some weight around here and anyone knows that if they mess with my kids they mess with me. I’ve already put the word out.”

Pastor John performed a simple wedding. All of Chin’s family was there as well as most of the settlement. Of course some were angry at a mixed marriage and did not come. There was talk of burning their house down until Tom confronted them. He walked right up to them and said, “I know what you’ve been talking about and if you try anything you’ll have to deal with me first.” Tom was a large Irish man, strong as an ox and no one wanted to make him angry.

Tom gave Chin a piece of his land and most of the settlement turned out to help Chin build his cabin and lay the frame work for his barn. Every once in a while a stranger would come through town and try to cause trouble but for the most part they had a peaceful little farm.

Then one-day word got out that the church had burned to the ground. No one knew how it happened but the fact is it happened. All of the Indians, even some that had not become Christians yet but considered these white men their friends now, came and helped build the new church, making planks and laying the framework. But even with the frame of the church built they still needed windows, doors, paint, communion sets, songbooks, bibles and offering plates. These would have to be purchased and there just wasn’t any money. They had all been working for weeks getting as much done as they could.

Then Chin stood up in the congregation on the opening day of the new church to speak. “I was a stranger and you took me in the bible says. That’s exactly what you did for me and for my entire village, you shared the gospel with us, and you befriended us. You made a difference for the Lord in the world around you.” He told them about the first and only diamond he had ever found in the creek and how the Lord had used that as the stepping-stone to getting his entire village saved. It was a miracle diamond and no had ever found another one.

“But when I saw what happened to our church,” Chin said, “I began to pray for another miracle and to search the creek banks. Many times over the years I had searched the creek banks and found nothing, but yesterday I found one black shiny rock. When I broke it I found this diamond. I want to give this diamond to Pastor John from me and from my people, to say thank you for loving when it was hard to love. Thank you for reaching past your hatred and your anger to see a people that needed to know the Lord and a people that just wanted to be your friends.

Pastor John stood up. He accepted the diamond with a smile. “Today heaven rejoices, not because of the things this diamond can buy but because of what it represents, unity in the body of Christ. For in heaven all people will be one in Christ from all tribes and nations. So when we come together in unity and love we are just practicing for heaven. There will be no hatred or unforgiveness there. We see in Christ the perfect example of this in Luke 10:25-37 And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?'' He said to him, "What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?'' So he answered and said, " `You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,' and `your neighbor as yourself.' ''

And He said to him, "You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.'' But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?'' Then Jesus answered and said: "A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. "Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. "Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. "But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion on him, and went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, `Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.' So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?'' And he said, "He who showed mercy on him.'' Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise.''

“What we often fail to realize is the Samaritan that Jesus used as the example was one of the most hated people of the day. It was more than a social disagreement; the Jewish people hated the Samaritan people and the Samaritans hated the Jewish people. It was so intense that Jews would walk around the land of Samaria instead of going through it, even though going through it was much shorter. But Jesus taught us in Matthew 6:14-15 "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. "But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” He didn’t say as long as they are just like you, He means all men.

That is serious my friends, if we do not forgive and love one another we ourselves will not be forgiven. But just how far did Jesus expect us to take this. We see an example again in Matthew 4:24 “Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them.”

“Now at first glance that may not seem like a big deal but I’m here today to tell you that it was. The Syrians and the Jews were mortal enemies and only a few years before the Syrians had attacked the Jews and killed many men, women and children mercilessly. Jesus must have known first hand of many of the horrible things they had done. But we see here that he healed their sick. Why would He do that? Because He knew something we also must learn, the importance of true love and forgiveness. He knew the color of a persons skin or their nationality didn’t matter, but what is in their hearts; that’s what really matters. Do we want our heart attitudes to be acceptable to the Lord, then we must have true love for all peoples and real forgiveness that even forgets the most horrible things someone has done.”

As you listen to this story you think I don’t really “hate” anyone or what I feel is no big deal. But it is a very big deal if you want to be forgiven. If we want to forgive and can’t or we want to love with Christ like love but we just aren’t able to, then we just need to call on the Lord Jesus Christ. He will help us change our attitudes and feelings. He will enable us to forgive when we cannot forgive. And believe me sometimes it takes a miracle to forgive just like it takes a miracle to be healed. That’s why we need a savior to help us conquer those things we cannot conquer, even if it is something inside of us and to give us His own strength to be a Christian – a Christ like one.

Step one is to recognize the need. Do you hate anyone? Do you hold unforgiveness, anger or hurt? Do you look down on certain people? Then you have a need that only Jesus Christ can help you meet.

Step two is to want to change. Cry out to the Lord in a sincere desire to change and the Lord will meet you there. Sometimes we are only able to take the step of being willing to become willing. We must start where we can. The Lord will meet us at our willingness and our need. Repent of those wrong attitudes and feelings and receive the Lord’s forgiveness.

Step three is to ask for His help even if it takes a process of time to work through it all. We all want to be changed instantly but the truth is it takes time and we need to make the long-term commitment to stick with it no matter how long it takes the Lord to work through these things in our lives.

And step four is to believe for a miracle in our heart attitudes so that our heart will be pleasing to the Lord. Don’t choke down those bad feelings. Deal with them by repenting and allowing the Lord to remove them before they root into your heart and grow like a tree. It’s always a lot harder to remove a tree than it is to remove a newly sprouted sprig. Don’t feel like a failure if you can’t deal with your emotions yourself that’s why we need the Lord Jesus and just like us He loves to be needed. Let Him do His job and be Lord in your emotions and attitudes.

How do we know if we need to ask God for a miracle of forgiveness in our lives? Here are a few good guidelines that will help you determine if you need this miracle:

If you answered yes to any of these questions chances are you need an emotional healing miracle. Sometimes it is forgiveness and sometimes it is just a wounded spirit. Sometimes it is deep rejection or abandonment. But no matter what it is the answer is Jesus Christ. It may not happen overnight but if you remain yielded and willing, staying in the word, the Lord will work a healing inside of you. You know the inside is the eternal part of you.

We all want our body healed when it hurts but the body falls away like the shell of a seed when it sprouts. The new life that rises up in you is eternal. Isaiah says in 53:4 “Surely He hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows.” And in verse 5, “the chastisement of our peace was upon Him and by His stripes we “are” healed.”

He doesn’t just want to heal the husk that will fall away; He wants to heal the eternal part of you as well. If we let Him love us He will give us what He died to provide for us. Healing inside and out, mentally, physically and spiritually. The result will be life, peace and unity.

Amen.