riday

“I believe the Gringos are about to outnumber the Latinos and I’m going to play a longshot that may work our way.”
“What kind of a longshot?”
“Are we agreed we want to get others involved?”
“Sure we are. If we have developed a better way, even if it’s just slowing things down, and it works, which we’ve seen it does, it is our duty to share it. Yes, let’s get others involved.”
“Just wait. Before I do that, are you okay?”
“Yea, I’m fine. I just want to do it the right way.”
“I think we are.”
Danny picked up the phone and dialed a number. “Pedro? Padre Danny. It’s such a nice night, why don’t you come over and sit outside with Padre Davy and me? Okay.”
Danny went to the refrigerator and grabbed three drinks. “Come on,” he said to Davy as he grabbed a chair and went out onto the porch.
In a few seconds Pedro came up and took a seat.
“Pedro,” said Danny. “Seems there’s a few people from the camp that aren’t coming to church on Sunday.”
“Oh really, Padre?”
“Pedro, this is Padre Danny. Don’t play with me.”
For a few seconds Pedro squirmed in his seat.
“Pedro,” said Danny.
“Padre, it has become different. There are so many people that come. So many Gringos. We are not stupid, they do not want to be around us.”
“And your people don’t want to be around them.”
Pedro did not respond but broke a shy smile.
“It’s not your church anymore, is it Pedro?”
Pedro put his head down and again smiled.
Pedro, there was a lad here in the camp who offered to help with the Sunday services. Dominick was his name. Could you send him to me?”
Pedro stood and jumped off the porch. He couldn’t get away fast enough.
“This is going to work out beautifully.”
“What do you mean?”
“The boy, Dominick, he wants to be a priest. I’ve talked to him several times. The boy is smart, very smart. He helped me do the research when we did the Christ calming the seas thing what, two, three weeks ago? He is good. He can do my part. He can start Sunday.”
“What about the Sermon?”
“If Meredith Baptist is like every other church in America, there’s at least a dozen people in that congregation who think they can deliver a better sermon than you can. Find one of them, and let’s give them the chance. It’s like you say, we do need a Baptist.”
“Daniel, you are a genius.”