The Dixie Medicine Man by Christian John Makgala

Author:Christian John Makgala [Makgala, Christian John]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781450235389
Publisher: iUniverse
Published: 2012-01-09T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

THE POWER OF THE WHIP AND THE PULPIT

“It seems the flogging punishment has transformed Vuzi quite remarkably,” said Moikapari, whom Leroy had visited at his home. “It really has brought his criminal pursuits to a screeching halt. Had the headman heeded our advice to flog him early on he would have reformed long ago.”

“You see Moikapari, personally I’m not a fan of flogging people but I agree that it has fundamentally changed Vuzi for the better,” responded Leroy. “He has become a great listener and on many occasions he and I engage in man-to-man talk regarding his future.”

“That’s really nice to hear,” responded Moikapari. “The power of the whip is really amazing. Our parents used it on us and this greatly helped us behave ourselves. You know during our youth any adult could flog you for any small misdemeanour, and you could not report this to your parents because they could inflict further punishment. The belief was that no adult could punish a child for nothing.”

“I am taking advantage of Vuzi’s change of attitude to put him on the right path. It’s just that he is now rather too old to go to a regular school. So I’ve registered him with the Brigade in Mochudi to pursue a career path in carpentry.”

“How nice of you! I feel he also needs to be transformed spiritually,” suggested Moikapari. “With the power of the whip having done its part I think it’s time for the power of the pulpit to do the same.”

“That’s an excellent suggestion,” accepted Leroy. “I feel he needs spiritual balance to add to his attitudinal transformation.”

“As you are aware, my daughter Mosamarea is a highly committed member of the Catholic Church and I think she can help guide him into the church establishment. I do go to church but once in a while. When the chips are down really.”

“Most people do the same. I haven’t been to church for ages,” noted Leroy. “As you are aware I have a Baptist Church background but I go to any church when the need arises. I’m pretty liberal about religious beliefs.”

“Of course I know. People have all sorts of reasons for going to church. But what I noticed in Gaborone is that people go to church to show off their new cars and clothes, and even brag about promotion at work or about their children going to study overseas.”

“That seems to be the case these days,” Leroy concurred. “It appears only a tiny fraction of worshippers go to church to praise God without asking for any favours in return.”

“I hope Vuzi would not be like that. I want to see him among the small endangered species of worshippers who just go to church to praise the Lord without expecting material rewards in return.”

“The thing is that material needs and wants are critical to people’s lives. That’s why the vast majority go to church to ask God to help them prosper and live happy lives.”

At this juncture a Ford Ranchero with a

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