This is a joke Pastor Ronnie told me in Guatemala.
My favorite part of this joke is that he prefaced it by telling us this is not part of his theology.
So one day, while manning the gates of heaven, saint Peter began to grow a little weary and decided he wanted to take a nap. In order to do this, he goes into heaven and grabs an angel from the golden streets. He sits the angel at the entrance and tells him that his job is an easy one. All he has to do is this; when someone comes up to the gates he has to hold out both hands. In the one hand is a bible and in the other a one hundred dollar bill. He tells the angel that if the soul of the person seeking entrance takes the bible he should let him in. However, if he takes the money he will have to send him to hell.
The angel says that it sounds easy enough and tells Peter he can go rest.
When the first person comes to the pearly gates the angel stops him and holds out both hand just like Peter said. The man looks at the angel, then at his hands, and takes the bible. The angel gives him a huge smile and says, welcome home.
A short time later the second soul comes up to the gate. The angel does the same thing again. He holds out both hands with the bible and the money. The man looks at the bible, then at the angel, then at the money, then back at the angel. Slowly he takes the money and sticks it in his pocket. The angel looks at him somberly and tells him the unfortunate news of his eternal fate.
Then after a little while longer a third man comes in front of the angel from earth. The angel greets him and sticks out both hands again. The man looks at him and reaches out and takes the bible. He then reaches out and takes the money as well and sticks it in the bible. This puzzles the angel, so he stares at the man for a few minutes. After this short awkward moment the angel tells the man he will return and goes to find Peter to ask him what he should do.
The angel hurries inside Peter’s mansion and shakes him awake. Peter looks at him glassy eyed and asks, “Why aren’t you watching over the gate?” The angel tells him about the man who put the money in the bible, wanting to know what he should. Peter replies, “don’t worry, this happens all the time. The man at the gate is a missionary. You can let him in.”
-Just a little Christian humor for my readers and supporters out there
By the goodness of God my fundraising is going awesome. I need another $1,000 dollars in the next month to continue on the race. This means that to this point I have been blessed with $14,500. Praise God. Please pray about supporting my ministry. Thank you so much to all my supports and prayer warriors.
A quick update:
We arrived in Tanzania last night at 3 am. I am a celebrity with this beard. I am either called Jesus or Osama. I gave more fist bumps/hand shakes/and high fives today to more strangers than ever. I also got to talk about our trip and Jesus to three different people just walking around today. I am so excited for this month! Pray that we bring God the glory He is due.
I love and miss you all. God bless, Mark
