Betrayal of a Nation

Trials of Growing Up The crackling whispers sounded and the aroma of fire sizzled as the parents alerted the others that something was terribly wrong. Papa Joseph Johnson traced through the house, grabbing the little ones as the older daughter gathered herself and ran out the front door where Mother was waiting with high hopes that all would be saved. Papa Joseph, scorched and battered, came out with the two youngest girls in his arms while James, the eldest, had the two younger boys. Josie, the eldest girl, had clinched on to Mother. Now they all huddled together as the firemen came. You could hear the sirens blast in the distance. All six children were accounted for and at the nick of time; it seemed like the roof was caving in from the fire, leaving the house in utter ashes as the neighbors gathered around to offer their help. At two in the morning, it was a bit cold. The January cold had settled in, in Northern Oklahoma. It was not always a sunny climate, and when it was cold, it was cold. Mother and Father held each other in despair, knowing their problems would be easier to deal with since they were together. Just then, the firemen arrived and began to finish what was left of the smoldering fire. While Papa gave a report to the police officer, one of the neighbors offered Mother and the children a place to camp until it was over. It looked like all of them got out with just the clothes on their backs, and that was about it. They would have to start over, from having a place to stay to having clothes to put on their backs, but it seemed better just knowing they were family. After Papa came in from talking with the officer, he told the others that the police officer suspected someone set the house on fire because of the evidence they found in the back of the house. Mother was upset, wondering who could have done this and not caring about the family. As they pondered on what enemies surrounded them, they just grew weary and decided to give it to God, knowing that he would protect them from all harm. Papa still had a job and needed it more than ever now, so he didn’t sleep much that night, but a wink here and there. At daybreak, Mother and Papa were consorting on what they had planned to do that day since they knew they didn’t want to burden the neighbor any longer than they had to. A family of eight was now without shelter, clothing, and food. Papa had planned on going to work and asking about getting some time off because of this situation. Papa had a sister who was dear and near to him, and she was always able to help, and Mom’s mother was always there to extend a helping hand. Papa worked at the City Refuse Department, and even though it was hauling trash, he was glad to have a job to support his family. That evening, Papa came home with good news—his job took up an offering, and the church where they attended frequently did the same thing. Papa had already started looking for another place to live. It seemed like offerings and services were pouring in, and clothes were donated as well. Papa’s sister, Aunt Josephine, worked at a laundry, and she found a lot of clothing that were left behind. She knew the lost-and-found was never claimed most of the time, and if someone came back looking for anything, she would just tell them they were donated. Within a week, the family had settled in their new place, and the donations and offerings were blessings they could thank God for, as well as those that gave to the cause. The Johnson’s were no more than the typical American family that struggled in a society that often neglected the needs of the poor people, but the community pulled together and helped one another. As a strong tower, they rose to the occasion, and now, the kids were back in school, and Mother tended to the younger ones at home until they were able to attend school. Even though Papa’s grandfather was a street preacher, it was Mother who was adamant about taking the children to church. Now that the older children were back in school, Mother kept herself busy with the two younger girls, Candi and Babe. As they played together, it seemed like they fussed more than anything. As Babe went around singing and praising the Lord, Mother had a feeling that she would be the one that would enjoy church. Babe was very impressionable, and it seemed like she liked to think that God and his angels were always looking after them. Mother couldn’t remember exactly if it was when the house burned down when Babe habitually started talking about the Lord. Babe’s obsession to know God and be about the church business also came as a result of Mother being involved in the Pentecostal Church while she was pregnant with Babe. Babe was the last of seven children, although the oldest brother wasn’t from the same mother. Now the Johnsons were in a more traditional church, but they switched over to Baptist after Babe was born. Babe found herself in church even when others had no desire to attend or seemed interested.