Pernell always amazed me, way back on MFT under Mr. Izukawa, in Michigan. Sometimes I marveled at how a black guy 'from the projects' (as he would say), could maintain his faith, determination, and zeal... and keep head-strong on MFT; particularly, fundraising around Michigan.

Back then, I heard the rationale that: one reason we did not witness to Blacks--and being black, myself, I was surprised to hear it--is that Blacks, being down-and-out generally, and having suffered so much: are not really in a position, emotionally (whatever), to sacrifice and "pay" indemnity. They are in the receive mode, I heard. They would be looking for something, rather than being willing to live a life of offering.

Pernell blew this rationale out of the water. Almost every morning, or whenever we got a chance to go out and "ODU" together (Origin, Division, Union), I would be spell-bound by Pernell's reports. I rarely had a dream with True Parents. And when they came, they were always momentous points (or at momentous points) in my life of faith. But Pernell would have dreams almost everyday; and True Parents, especially True Mother, would always embrace him and share words that would leave him in tears. Often, in telling me of his dreams, he would be in tears. And to hear such a testimony, even once, in his kind of street-wise prose was simply... surreal. But almost daily?

Pernell humbled me, to say the least. For all the flack he caught fundraising in some white areas (and I know about it); for all the supposedly ancestral resentment this black man from the ghetto must have accumulated; Pernell accepted a major challenge of pioneering with an inter-racial Blessing (2075 Madison Square Garden '82)--only by the grace of True Parents and through his love for them could he accept this fearful unknown.

Not to discount at all the challenge he must have represented to his White/Jewish wife... As I remember going to New York, together, to receive the matching, Pernell confided to me that he could accept any match; only he prayed to God that she would not be white!

So, after the matching, when I realized how much True Parents must have trusted him; I really felt nervous, wondering if Pernell were going to be one of those who would 'bite the bullet' or one who would 'bite the dust.' I prayed that he would have the strength. In the little time we had left together there, in Michigan, he would sometimes joke about the cross True Parents handed him. But he never complained, and he showed me, then, a bit of character that I have known many black men (in my life) to have, in front of God.

Since then, almost 20 years or so, I could not meet Pernell, directly. I have only heard reports, here and there, from mutual acquaintances. Good reports. Whenever I would meet any members from Chicago, I would always inquire about him. I remember some testimony about some minister during last year's 50-state tour, asking if Pernell were going to be at a certain event. For if not, then that Minister was not going (or was not going to let his church be used? something like that?). I could imagine, then, again, how Pernell's relationship with True Parents could be pivotal for many to forge their own relationship with True Parents--be they in the Black community or the White community. Pernell is such a down to earth presence. I expect he will still be a 'down to earth' force of good to be reckoned with, from the other side of the veil (a veil which is fast being ripped apart).

Our prayers and condolences to his wife and family. Anyone with more, please keep us informed.

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