My Co-Workers - Charles and Jim (1)

It Wasn't All Serious Business

 

Our mission team in Jamestown consisted of Charles Williams and Jim Sheerer.  Jim and Charles had been roommates at ACC.  They later joined the Navy together and have been close friend throughout their adult lives.  Charles married Joyce Sheerer, Jim’s sister.   We shared a close relationship with them and still enjoy spending time together although that doesn’t happen very often.  They both now live in Oklahoma

In the Navy Charles and Jim had been yeoman, which is the name the Navy gives to office workers.  They set up our offices in similar fashion to that of the Navy. One day in frustration, I said, “Everything’s so Navy around here that I feel like I need to ask permission to leave the ship when I go home.” Charles never missed a beat.  He simply said, “Permission granted.”  

They were not above practical jokes.   One day I walked down to the barbershop at the other end of the plaza from our offices.  When I came back, the lights were turned out. My office was in complete disarray.  Things had been turned over it. My first thought was that somebody had broken in and vandalized the place.  I didn’t know what had happened to Charles and Jim.  Often when I’m alone I talk out loud to myself.  I don’t remember what I said, but I was flabbergasted by the whole situation and expressed my frustration verbally.  I said things like “What’s going on here?”  I’m pretty sure I didn’t use any profanity.  In a few minutes I heard laughing.  The two of them couldn’t contain themselves any longer. Charles and Jim were hiding in the restroom.  They had set up the whole deal just to see what my reaction would be.  I think I provided their entertainment for the day.

You have to realize that these two guys are normally quite serious, so when  they broke out of their usual mode and did something funny, it was hilarious.   On another occasion, Charles had an appointment with some people of questionable character.  He went alone, but Jim and I were somewhat concerned about him.  When he came back he had a white rag wrapped his head, and was limping.  He has been through a bizarre experience although he hadn’t suffered a physical attack.  He just thought he might gain some momentary sympathy from us.

On another occasion Charles went with me to what was supposed to be a Bible study.   When we got there, we discovered that the man we were planning to study with was in a state of inebriation.  He said to me, “Norman, I know what I’ve got to do.  I’ve got to kill a man.”  Of course I tried to talk him out of it.  Then he produced an enormous hunting knife.  In the calmest voice I could manage, I asked him to give me the knife.  I promised him that I would give it back the next day if he still wanted it.   To my surprise he surrendered the knife.  He never asked for it back.  I kept it for several years, until the handle finally fell off, and then I threw it away.  I was sure glad to have Charles as a backup on that one.