Sister Aimee in 1922
There are countless testimonies surrounding Aimee Semple McPherson. Hers is a truly amazing life story. Few public figures have been as loved as she was by so many people from so many walks of life. If you would like to read an outstanding biography, I would highly recommend “Sister Aimee: The Life of Aimee Semple McPherson.” You can GET IT HERE
Here is an excerpt from the book:
“Gypsies crowded around Aimee when she appeared, showering her with flowers and gifts, kissing her hands and feet. In Rochester she had set aside an entire service for the Gypsies, to heal them and teach them how to pray. They called her Holy Lady and wept with enthusiasm as they came to the altar for conversion.
They followed her to Witchita, where on the night of May 19, 1922, a crowd of thousands witnessed the evangelist hold up her hand and stop the rain. The Gypsies studied trickery and knew sorcery, so perhaps their admiration ran even deeper than that of others who stood in the downpour in Wilson Park. The Arkansas City ministers were struggling to make themselves heard above the storm when Aimee sprang forward, inspired, and called out:
“O Lord, stay this rain and this storm. You can just hold it in the hollow of thy hand,” she advised, demonstrating with her own hand. Then humbly, “We don’t mind going home in the rain, dear Lord; but if it is thy will to stay it and if the land hath need of it, let it fall after the message has been delivered.”
As if someone had turned off a faucet, the rain stopped. The clouds rolled away, and the stars shone above the cheering crowd.
05 Aug 1922, Oakland, California, USA — Oakland, California: Thousands Seek Healing At Baptismal Services. Mr — Image by © Bettmann/CORBIS
The Gypsies watched this, and nodded at her in understanding of the woman’s power. Hundreds of the Mark tribe and the Mitchell tribe were converted in Wichita. They held a banquet for Aimee in Riverside Park, loaded her arms with bouquets of roses, and spread baskets of flowers all around. Gypsy women planted little American flags in loaves of twisted bread. The men dropped to their knees while Aimee blessed their food. The Mitchell tribe sewed her a Gypsy costume and headdress to wear at the Gypsy services.
Gypsies cling to an ancient and foreign system of values. They prize gold and loyalty, in an ancient manner we find hard to understand. Gypsy chief Mark was a man of influence. He stood in debt to Sister Aimee for his life, and for his mother’s life, and for
the healing of many in his tribe. The only way the Gypsies knew how to repay the Holy Lady was in gold, and they paid gladly, stripping the gold coins from their necks and collecting them in heavy bags for the Holy Lady and her temple.”
