Written October 1st, 2010
Sending packages to West Africa is quite the ordeal. The packages are guaranteed to arrive in poor condition two-weeks to two month after being posted. I was told by a volunteer that adding the pseudo-title "frère or soeur" (brother or sister) to the recipient’s name promotes tender and swift care of the package en route. I suppose respect of clergy is universal. Why not use it to one’s advantage? I asked my mother to do just that – to take advantage of the unquestioned respect for clergy.
Keep in mind that my mother never once called me in sick to school when I really wasn’t. I was somewhere in between puzzled and impressed when my mom agreed to falsify my identity as an ordained clergy. Agreeing is one thing; doing is another. Nevertheless, when I reached into my shared PO Box in Banfora, the package slip was addressed to Frere Joshua Gates. I laughed proud of my mom.
It was exceptionally hot the I went to get my package. My watch at one point read 105F. Walking into the post office, I was wearing an unbuttoned short-sleeved button-up shirt. Wearing it unbuttoned was much cooler but it also exposed my sweaty A-frame under-garment. I thought it prudent to button up to look more clergy-like before redeeming my package addressed to Brother Joshua Gates.
“God bless you.” I said with a smile as I took my package that arrived in record time and in mint condition.
Oh my goodness that is such an awesome story! I always knew you had some preacher boy in you! :-)
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