MOST UNFORGETTABLE CHARACTER
Tony was a Puerto Rican! I don’t know how long he had been in the US but his speech was spoken with a thick accent and his ways were gentle and kind. His white teeth would sparkle when he smiled and he did a lot of that. His eyes would light up when he saw you! He made you feel that he had been looking forward all week to seeing you again.

I don’t know all the stories about Tony except that he had no place to stay. The church had purchased a corner lot which was behind the church itself. It had a house on it which was rented out, a small garage and an out building that obviously had been used also as a rental. It had a kitchenette and a bathroom. Sort of a one room affair but was now a storage building that was full of stuff. Tony and the pastor looked at it and Tony asked if he couldn’t live in it. There was plenty of stuff that he could use and he knew it would be comfortable enough just for him.

Tony moved into the storage building and right into our hearts. He was a ‘jack of all trades’ and did lots of odd jobs around the church grounds especially during the building of our educational/fellowship building. When the doors were opened for services and/or fellowship, Tony was there. Our Ladies began a ‘clothes closet’ which was open once a week. When it first began, Tony was there to help get it all set up. When we opened the doors, Tony was one of our first customers. He entertained us that day, by trying on clothes. At first we were startled when he took his pants off....but he assured us he came prepared with swim trunks cause he needed some jeans.

I was the church choir director and was a little surprised when Tony showed up for our Christmas Cantata practice. Because of his accent, it was a little hard for him but he gave it all he had. He was always a little out of step, but nobody cared because we just liked having him there.
He came to me and asked if he could sing a solo for morning worship. He had an accompaniment tape. Of course I agreed and encouraged him all the way. When he sang; "People need the Lord", he was so dramatic and sincere. He was wonderful and I couldn’t help but cry. I know there must have been many who felt his passion for the Lord that morning.

Tony was genuine! Tony was never offensive, nor made himself a nuisance with the women. After about three years, Tony decided it was time for him to move on. God uses unlikely people to teach his people how to love one another. During Tony’s stay at our little church we learned to love him unconditionally and he showed us his love by simply being himself. We missed him and through the years the conversation would come to; "remember Tony?" Yes, we remember Tony! And the character, King of Tum Tum that he played during the summer months for our Children’s Church. Email makes it possible for Tony to keep in touch with Vernon and Ellen, the pastor and his wife.

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your forbearing spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." Philippians 4:4-6.
Tony’s gentle and patient ways taught me to be more understanding with gentleness, kindness and the love of the Lord. Jane Ann