FIGHTS

Did you ever get into fights with other kids? Did you ever start a fight? Or stop one?

I did everything I could to avoid fights. In fact, I paid off a guy not to fight him (gave him candy). He was not trying to extort anything from me. I was just the biggest guy in the class and fighting with me would increase his cred. That was in third or fourth grade.

Later on in high school I had about the same issue although I did not payoff anyone. I did get sent home for responding with some violence to a short kid who slapped the back of my head in class. I got up and chased him until I caught him and held him by his shirt collar and picked him up off the four. Just then a teacher walked in... 

The only other time I got into a fight it was with a friend... a church friend. To this day I do not understand what got into him. After school I was walking my bike out of the school courtyard to go home. He came up and started to pick a fight. I told him I did not want to fight with him. From behind he put his arm around my throat. I just threw him over my leg to the ground and repeated that I did not want to fight and then just walked away.  

MOTHER'S COOKING

Tell me about your mother's cooking. Can you recall your favorite meal? What made it your favorite?

I am not sure I remember my mother for her cooking. Her cooking was good but simple. We did not eat French, Italian, Hispanic, Chinese, et cetera, foods. In Brazil we ate beans and rice every day. We did eat spaghetti and lasagnas but not often. 

We always had a young woman (late teens) from the country who lived us. She wanted to go to school in the city so she lived with us. We took them in as a daughter but she was also our live-in maid. She did most of the cooking. 

I do remember Mom churning butter. Our milk came from Palma as unpasteurized whole milk, that is, with all the cream.  We had a home pasteurizer so we did that for ourselves. In the process, the cream flooted to the top and Mom would scoop it off. She would then put the cream into a jar with some cubes of ice and shock it until the result was fresh, unsalted  butter. 

Mom's best dishes were desserts. She made a delicious German Chocolate Cake. Although I rarely have it anymore, it is still my favorite. 

CHILDHOOD PETS

When you were growing up, did you have any animals? What were their names? Was it important to you to have a pet?

I did have pets throughout my youth. I had 3 dogs, one while in Rio and two while in Tupã. I do not remember the name of the dog in Rio nor the first one in Tupã. She did have many litters. From one of the litters, we kept a male. I named him Lobo (Wolf). As a pup, I had dropped him on his head. From then on, he was not right in his head, so to speak. Unfortunately, I do not have a picture of any of them.

Although I am rather timid around dogs, I still would like to have one.

BALL GAMES

Did you go to ball games as a boy? What kind of food did you eat?

As a young child, the only sport that I could have see was football (soccer). However, it was not safe for us to attend. I think Dad went to at least a few in the early days.

Later in life, in Tupã, I did attend High School games such as Team Handball, Volleyball, Football, and Basketball. The Japaneses had a Baseball league. I remember going to one of their games.

Food was never a part of those games that I did attend. Drinking was; food was not.

BECOMING A CHRISTIAN

When did you become a Christian? How did your life change?

I was a 10 years old when I was baptized. I accepted Christ a couple of years before that. Since I was still a child in a rather conservative Baptist family, my life did not change at all. I am not one of those who have a very powerful testimony. I wish I could say that it had at least changed my concept of God, but not even that happened. I still believed in the magical god of my infancy.  In fact, I have had several "conversion" experiences over the years. 

FIRST BIBLE

Who gave you your first Bible and how old were you when you received it? How did it influence your life?

My mother gave me a Bible when I was about 5 years old. It was a full Bible and not just a kids Bible. For many years, the Bible was very important to me. As the child of missionaries and going to church at least 3 times a week, knowing the Bible was very important. As a seminary student and the pastor, it was crucial. In the past few years, reading it has become less of a discipline. Nevertheless, it still is the basis for my faith. I still have that Bible. Since we were in Brazil, the Bible is in Portuguese.

SCHOOL DISTANCES

How far did you have to travel to attend elementary, junior high and high school, and how did your get there?

Because I moved often, the answer for each is different.

In the first (and third) school, in Rio, the school was just over a block away so I walked. Even in kindergarten, I do not remember anyone walking with me.

In the second school, in the USA, the school was a little further but I still walked. I was probably in the 1st grade at that time.

At the fourth school, in Tupã, the school was a little over 2 blocks. Nevertheless, I still walked. I was in the 3rd and 4th grade there.

The 5th school I attended, also in Tupã, the school was many blocks away... at least a mile. Because the brazilian school system is different, it is hard to say whether it was junior high or high school; it was called Genasio. By that time, I had a bike so I either rode it or walked.

The 6th school I attended was in the USA. It was a middle (junior) high... 9th grade. I lived about 10 miles from the school and therefore had to ride the school bus. I walked the half mile to the bus stop or was driven there by one of my parents... usually my mother.

The 7th school i attended was back in Brazil where I attended the same school I did before. I was there for 2 more years... including repeating half of the 9th grade. I have come to realize that when I returned to the USA for college, I had barely the 10th grade education.

MEMORABLE VALENTINE

Describe the most memorable Valentine you ever received. Who sent it to you?

I never received a memorable Valentine. In Brazil, there was not the custom of sending cards even though they did commemorate Valentine's Day. It was something celebrated between actually people in a serious relationship: dating, engaged, married, living together.... Since I was in neither, I did not have a reason to participate. While in the USA, I did receive the little cards given out at school but then none of those was memorable. Valentine's Day just does not play that prominent a role in my life either then or now.

SPECIAL CALLING

Did you ever feel that God had a special calling on your life?

Yes, I did. When I was 13 years old, I "heard" God calling me to be a doctor. Becoming a doctor was the focus of my life for many years. I purchased a monthly issue of a medical magazine, studying chemistry outside of the classroom, and talked to doctors... all in order to be ready for college and medical school. I did not make it. My education in Brazil was just not good enough for me to make the grades in college. Foolishly, I believed that since God wanted me to be a doctor, "he" would overcome any problems. Since then, I have had many other "calls", all of which have failed. I no longer believe that God "calls" anyone. 

MEALS WITH PASTOR

Did the pastor or a visiting missionary ever eat dinner at your house? Did they have an impact on your life?

You probably can guess the correct answer to this question: obviously YES! Since my parents were missionaries, we frequently had pastors and/or missionaries in our home for meals and overnight. These visits were especially important to me when we live out in Tupã. We were the only Americans in a 200+ mile radius but on the main road and train route from the big coastal cities to the vast interior of Brazil. Many Missionaries came by our house either just for short visits or to spend the night. Those were very special times for me. I did not even mind that I had to give up my room on some of those occasions. It was just so good to see my missionary and MK friends. Otherwise, I might not see them but once a year during Mission Meeting. I am not sure how the modern MKs and staying close to other MKs now that they are no longer having MM. I am just glad I lived in a day when we did get together for one week a year.

The Sutton family visiting us in Tupã. JES was my best friend from Rio days.

FIVE MOST IMPORTANT LIFE LESSONS

Recall for me five of the most important lessons you have learned in life.

I am still learning. Or that is what I like to tell myself. However, what I have actually done is give up on trying to understand life. I know what others give as answers to these questions but honestly, for better of worse, those answers make no difference in my life. For example: Family is the most important thing in life. Nevertheless, I live as if it was not; I don't call or write them. I only visit on special occasions. 

I have learned one thing: Every action has a reaction. That is, actions have consequences. For better or worse, everything I have done has its results. I have 3 absolutely beautiful kids and up to now 6 adorable grandkids. I would not change that for the world. Nevertheless, my marriages were mistakes. Sorry guys. I can only imagine how confusing this must be do you. 

CHILDHOOD FEARS

Can you remember being afraid as a boy? What was your greatest fear? How did you deal with it?

Yes, I can. I am intensely afraid of bees, wasps, hornets, dirt dobbers, and other such flying bugs. I come close to jumping out of a moving car to getting away from a bee. I have been this way since I was about 6 years old. I was paying with some cousins of mine at grandfather Hawkins' home. I tried to hide in an abandoned chicken coop. Unfortunately, it had a wasps nest in it. I was stung multiple times. How do I deal with them? Avoid if possible; kill when feasible.

GRANDPARENTS

Describe your grandparents. What did you enjoy the most about them?

Because I lived in Brazil for so long, I really did not spend much time with them when I was a child. In fact, my paternal grandfather died when we were in Brazil for our second term (5 year terms) so I was only with him as a baby and just during short visits when I was 5. 

I do know a little more about my maternal grandparents because we lived in Nashville during most furloughs... with exception for the 9 month one in 1969. I remember Grandmother Barker's (bna Mema) made strawberry shortcakes almost every time we visited her. She was also the only grandparent to initiate contacts with me... although they were rare. She sent birthday cards, wrote letters, and phoned me several times after I returned the the USA for college. Mema grew African Violated. I really admired her and should have asked for her to tell me the secret to keeping them alive.

During the 9 months we lived with the Barkers, the only bed open for me what in my elderly grandfather's room. He was restricted to a hospital room so needed someone to care for him 24/7.  My grandfather was a school principal and dairy farmer. I remember times, when he was still active, going to the dairy barn with him to milk the cows. He did have milking machines so it required very little manual labor. 

 Annie Barker

CU and Annie Barker

Although I do not remember much about my Hawkins side of the family, I do have some good memories. I remember Grandmother Georgia's pear preserves. I think the Hawkins side of the family was always closer to each other than the Barkers. I remember reunions at her house always been full of laughter and joy. Although Grandmother Georgia could be very loving and generous, I also remember feeling that she loved and believed her other grandkids more. One time my cousin Tony broke her mirror while throwing a ball in the house, she went to her grave saying it was me. The last time I saw her, she told that story with conviction had I was the guilty party. Of course, Tony's parents built and lived in the house right next to her.

Grandfather Fred's, for lack of a better word, presence. Although he was not as large as my father, it seemed to me that he was a giant. I have few other memories of him. The only other memory I do have is that one time I was stung by multiple wasps and he treated the stings with tobacco he had chude up. 

Fred  Lee Hawkins Sr

Georgia Payne Hawkins

Georgia and Fred Hawkins Sr

CHILDHOOD HOME

Where was your childhood home located? Did you enjoy living there? 

I lived in seven different cities before the age of 18. We lived at most of them for at least 1 year. The only exception was a 6 month furlough in 1970. We lived in two of the cities for eight years. The first of these was Rio de Janeiro. We lived there from the time I was 2 years old until 10 years. The home I remember the most is the 3rd and last Rio home we lived in. The house was very near the Baptist School where I attended kindergarten and elementary school. It was also close to the South Brazil Theological Seminary. The seminary was further up the hill from the house. There was a trail through the woods from near the back wall of the house to the seminary. I do not ever remember seeing anyone on the trail even though I followed it often. I remember that there was a little wooden shack at the side of it. I went into it once and it was empty. It did not occur to me at the time that this fact was very unusual since there were so many homeless people in Rio. I set off to climb to the top of the mountains several times be soon gave up. But since Sumaré Mountain is about 2500 feet high, that is not unexpected. Of course, things have changed drastically since then. The beautiful houses have been replaced by apartment building, the trail replaced by a street. 

The house on the right was ours. The one on the left was the home of the Sutton's. The South Brazil Theological Seminary is seen above the houses. The Combe (VW Bus) was our car.

The boys in the front yard.

Now the family is complete. Not sure where David was.

PRAYER

Did you pray as a young boy? If so, can you remember a specific prayer? Who taught you to pray?

Yes, I did pray. My parents did teach us to pray. Other than the grace and the dinner table, we really did not have a family prayer time. We did know about the "now I lay me down to sleep" prayer and The Lord's Prayer but did not use them with regularity and never as a ritual. We were taught to pray extemporaneously. Most of our prayers were private. However, we did have opportunities to learn public/group praying. Again, the prayers were extemporaneous. Written prayers as well as sermons were frowned upon since we thought they were not from the heart. I have come to appreciate written prayers... at least for public praying.

FAVORITE SPORT

What was your favorite sport or outdoor activity? Why was this your favorite?

This is an easy one: Football (Soccer). Football was a part of my life and both a participant and a viewer from the time I was very young. I usually played in a defensive position... sometimes as keeper. I was never as good as my Brazilian friends but that is to be expected since they practically played it all of their lives. Today, I am only a viewer when I have the opportunities.

Currently, I am an active hiker. I would like to be able to hike songer trains and more often. I did until it got very hot. In addition, my health has deteriorated somewhat. I do belong to two hiking meetups: The Nashville Hiking Meetup and the Tennessee Hiking meetup. I would love to hike the 16 mile long train to and back to Mount LeCount in the GSMNP but I do not now believe that will happen. My hope is to find someone willing to take my ashes there.

MOM'S WORK

Did your mother have a job or did she work at home?

With five children, my mother worked at home. In Brazil, she had help from a maid/nanny. Life in Brazil during that time was not all that easy. Most everything had to be purchased fresh. Even gas for the stove took some planning. It came in big cylinders like the small ones people in the USA use with grills except three times as large. But it took some foresight in order not to run out. 

Mom did have here out-of-home projects. She was more in contact with the local (as in neighbors) than Dad. Dad's missionary work was in an office or on the farm; Mom's was at home and our community. 

Our home was a stopover point for missionaries and other Americans going to the big cities on the East coast or west back to their homes. Mom was always ready to welcome them in for the night. Those were actually some of my favorite times. It was a break in the routine. 

Our church also benefited from Mom's efforts. She was active in many church events as well as playing the piano for the choir and church services. 

DAD'S WORK

Where did your father go to work every day and what did he do? Did his work interest you?

During the time I lived at home, Dad had two jobs. The first job he had was as Director of the Brazilian Baptist Sunday School Board. He had specifically been appointed to fill that position. It was mainly an office job. He did travel a lot throughout all of Brazil. I was not aware for this aspect of his life. I just knew that he was not around much.

At home, Dad had an office and a woodworking shop. In the shop, he made blocks and puzzles for Sunday School. I was involved in those projects. I don't remember being particularly interested but it was something to do with him. I did get more interested in his hobbies than his work.

When I was 10, we moved to Tupã, further into the interior. There Dad was to build a Baptist assembly like Ridgecrest. The farm called Palma was donated by a group of Lets (people from Latvia). We lived in the city; Dad worked on the farm. He usually stayed there from Monday morning until Wednesday afternoon to go to church. He went back on Thursday or Friday depending on how much he needed to do in town. So, again, I was not exposed to his actual work that much. Of course, during the school breaks, I would spend time on the farm but only for a few days.

CHURCH ATTENDANCE

Did you attend church as a young boy? What are your earliest memories of church?

With Dad as a minister, I was at church at least three times a week. I guess I was taken to church for the first  time within a couple of weeks. Since I was born on a Tuesday, it well could be the next Sunday. Until recently, I was at church at least twice a week.

My first memories of church come from when I was 5 or 6 years old. We belonged to Tijuca Baptist Church in Rio de Janeiro. I remember sitting toward the front of the church. For Brazil, the sanctuary was quite large. It was not heated or air conditioned so it could get uncomfortable. Nevertheless, I enjoyed being there.

I remember my mother handing me a Bible during a service at telling me to memories John 3:16... probably the first verse any Baptist memorizes.

Dad with Pastor Osvaldo Ronis, pastor of Tijuca Baptist Church 

CHILD BAPTISM OR DEDICATION

Were you baptised or dedicated as an infant? If so, where and by whom?

Baptist do not believe in child baptism so I was not. Baptists do dedicate babies. However, I am not sure if baby dedication services were done back when I was born. If I was dedicated, it would most likely be done at the church where my father served as Minister of Religious Education, Centerview Baptist Church in Kannapolis, NC.

Mom is the woman on top row, fourth person from the right hand column holding Bill. David might by the boy in yellow short on the first row.

Mom is in this picture as well. She is the 4th person from the right I think holding Bill's hand.

CHILDHOOD HOME

Describe your childhood home. What was your favorite room?

During my childhood (up to 10), I like in four houses in Brazil and maybe the same or more houses in the USA so it is not so easy. The second house we lived in, from 6-10 years old, was my favorite. Located on a quite street in the otherwise busy city of Rio de Janeiro, it was one of two brand new "mission houses." The houses were side-by-side at the bottom of the mountain where the Baptist Seminary was located. At one end of the street was the Baptist School (covering basically K-12). There was no yard to speak of on our lot; the other house did have a nice grassy area in the back. The Suttons lived in the other house. Naturally, we became very close. Their son, JES, was my closest friend.

I am not sure what room was my favorite; I remember so little about the inside. What I do remember is the large rock hill in the back yard. When I say "large" I mean that there was a 30ft high outcrop of limestone in the backyard. It was not a gentle slope but also not impossible to climb. There was just a small patch of dirt between the rock and the house. I tried to garden there. But the dirt layer was just too small for anything to grow.

MY NAME

Who gave you your name and why? Did you have a nickname? How did you get it?

I am not sure why I was named James. It is not a family name since I am the only blood relative I know with this name. Dad once surprised Mom when he pointed out that all of us were intentionally given biblical names. That just might be the extent of it.

My middle name is Gordon and I do know a little more about that. My mother's oldest brother's middle name was Gordon. His son also has Gordon as his middle name. I guess this just begs the question since we are the only Gordons in our family.

Other than the standard diminutives for James, I did not have any nicknames. For most of my life, people of my parents' generation called me Jimmy. Kids of my generation still call me Jim. I like to be called Jim even though when I write/type my name I almost always use James.

For a six month period, we lived with my maternal grandparents. I stayed in my grandfather's room. He was an invalid and needed a hospital bed and a lot of help. He consistently called me Boy. Although others knew this and remember this fact from time to time, it did not stick. "Boy" was more associated with Grandfather and me rather than me alone.

ENJOYMENTS

What did you enjoy doing most as a child? Did you prefer doing it alone of with someone else?

These are difficult questions but can be answered together. I enjoyed almost anything as long as I was doing it with my friends. From the time I was 10, I was very active with my church friends. I also enjoyed going to movies. However, since I was comparatively richer than my friends, I did not have to work like my friends did. Therefore, I more often than not went alone.

I enjoyed moving around my neighborhood trying to remain undetected. I did this by jumping walls or fences, climbing on top of houses, keeping low to the ground, going under bushes, cars, etc.

Although I did enjoy being alone, I also felt lonely.

I also enjoyed riding my bicycle. I would ride it almost every day. There was no part of town that I could not reach.

I really loved to travel. There were times when I caught the train I went to Marilia (1 hour away from Tupã) without letting my parents know. One of my fondest memories is travelling to the interior with the father of a friend. Seu Aquiles Tosqui was a very important father-figure of mine. His sons could not go... again because they worked. So he invited my to travel with him. He was a sales rep to a local shoe factory and had a circuit he traveled from time to time.

S. Aquiles knew that during the first half of 1972 I had nothing to do. I was in a six month hold between HS graduation and college. I often accompanied him on fishing outings. Most of these were local trips and we never caught much but it was quality time.

I had many particular interests. However, due to some type of ADD, it was never possible for me to stick to any one thing. From time to time, I was interested in gardening, stamp collecting, listening to shortwave radio, hiking, and many other things.

INTRODUCTION

NEW BLOG

I'm starting yet another blog, I wish to express several things at this point.

1. First, I want to acknowledge that I am not the creator of the sub-topics/question herein. They come directly from a book published by Word Publishing called "A Father's Legacy." 
2. I do intend for this blog to be read by my children and their families after I am dead. 
3. I will try to be as honest as I can be. Some of this will be painful and even embarrassing. It could cause pain and open old wounds.