Sojourner: Witness to Truth
This is an electronic version of our Glimpses for Kids children's worship bulletin inserts.
These are designed to present Christian biographies for Children's church, educational or worship ministries. Born to Slavery
"Momma, I'm hungry and cold and my whole body hurts!" complained young
Isabella at bedtime.
 Sojourner
Truth
"Yes, child, I know you hurt. But remember, our master is better than some
others. At least we are together."
Isabella had heard all this before, and she really was thankful to be
with what remained of her family. It was just that when her stomach growled
and her body ached from yet another beating, she often forgot.
"But Momma, it's just as if God has abandoned us here in this cold, miserable
cellar." The words of doubt poured from the young girl's mouth even as
tears streamed down her face.
Mau Mau Bett knelt down to Isabella's mat and began to rub her sore,
bruised body. "No child. God will never leave you. He cares about you,
and you can always count on Him to guide you." Mau Mau Bett tried her
best to encourage her children in their faith. But even so, now and then
little Isabella found her mother alone and singing sadly, "How long, O
Lord? How long?" She too wished for the day she would be released from
the burden of slavery.
Talking to God
Isabella worked hard on her special project. After dragging in the willow
branches, she wove them and stacked them together. It was there in her
very own little hideout that she began to talk to God.
"He hears me," Isabella told her mother one day as they worked side by side
in the house.
"Yes, child, He does."
Isabella looked shyly at her mother. "Momma, I hear Him, too."
Mau Mau Bett paused in her dusting. "How do you hear Him?"
"I just do. It's like He talks to me."
Talking to God helped young Isabella cope with the fear that lurked around
the edges of her life. Throughout her childhood, she was sold repeatedly,
experienced regular whippings, and often had too little to eat. At times
she believed she could bear no more pain or fear.
Around 1817, Isabella "married" for the second time. Since slave masters
had complete control over slaves, their marriages were not recognized
by law. Slaves would pledge themselves in marriage until "death or distance"
kept them apart. Isabella's first husband had been sold away from the
nearby farm, but her new husband, Thomas, belonged to the same master
as Isabella. Together they had one boy and three girls, but their union
was not to last either. Not only did the master sell Thomas, but he also
sold her son Peter and illegally sent him across the state lines.
"I'll get him back, I will," Isabella vowed through her tears of pain.
Her mistress mocked her determination. "You don't have the money to get
Peter back."
Isabella took a deep breath, confident in spite of the fear that filled
her. "That's not a problem. God has plenty of it."
A Great Escape
An illiterate runaway slave with no money didn't have much chance of surviving,
but Isabella decided she had no choice. In 1826, faith overcame her fear
as she set out on her journey. "I'm going to trust you, God, every step,"
she prayed. "You tell me where to go and how to get there, and I'll follow
you."
 God
led her to a Quaker couple called the Van Wagenens, who listened to her
problems and decided to help.
"We'll buy your freedom," they said. "And we know where Peter is, and
we can help get him back."
"How can I thank you enough?" she asked.
"Give your thanks to God!" they said. Isabella's eyes widened. She had
never met nice white people. Because of their kindness, Isabella let go
of the intense bitterness she had felt for many years. Her past was filled
with the misery caused by her white masters, and hatred had filled her
heart. But now, God used the Van Wagenens' kindness to show her another
way.
Find out how Sojourner got her name and braved
dangers in part 2 of this "Glimpses for Kids" children's worship
bulletin insert.
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