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Church Honors New Citizen

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By D'ANN LAWRENCE WHITE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 22, 2007

Updated: 09/20/2007 09:55 pm

BRANDON - She has been a U.S. citizen only a couple of weeks, but Martini Barksdale can recite obscure facts about American history and rattle off more details about current political events than most lifelong residents of the country.

For the past four months, she has been studying every aspect of American history, politics and culture so she could hear those three long-awaited words: 'Welcome to America.'

With that, the Indonesian native learned she had passed her citizenship test and had become a U.S. citizen Aug. 28.

However, her new status didn't truly hit her until she and her husband, Don Barksdale, pulled up in front of their church, Westminster Presbyterian Church in Brandon, on Sept. 3, where she was treated to a surprise celebration by her church family.

A cousin introduced Don and Martini Barksdale in June 2001, and the couple carried on a long-distance telephone and e-mail relationship for six months before Don Barksdale flew to Indonesia to meet her in person.

'I was met at the airport by 50 or 60 of her family members,' recalled Don Barksdale.

At 6 feet tall, Don Barksdale towered over the welcoming committee, said Martini Barksdale.

'He was like a giant,' she said.
Don Barksdale said he quickly fell in love with Indonesia.

'It's a beautiful country with gorgeous terrain and beautiful lakes and waterfalls. And the people are friendly and gracious,' he said.

While there, he fell in love with Martini.

Indonesia has 4 1/2 million Christians, including Martini's extended family of 150.

'We have the same values, the same interests,' Don Barksdale said, noting that his wife holds a bachelor's degree in theology. 'I loved everything about her. We've never even had one disagreement in all the time we've been together.'

It wasn't long before he asked her father's permission to marry her. The couple were wed in Indonesia and then separated for four months while they obtained the necessary documentation for her to come to the United States.

Because faith plays an important role in their lives, finding the right church was a top priority for the couple. They said they knew as soon as they walked into Westminster in May 2004 that they had found their faith home.

'We prayed that God would send us to the right church, and he sent us to Westminster,' Martini Barksdale said. 'The people are so friendly and welcoming. They took us in immediately.'

Members Roy and Felicia Liddell took the couple under their wings. Martini Barksdale found her niche working with children at the church and Don Barksdale as a church elder.

'It's a very close-knit group,' said Felicia Liddell of the 150-member congregation founded in 1970. 'We noticed it right away when we came our first Sunday. There aren't any cliques. Everyone fits in whether you've been here for years or if you've just arrived.'

'We're a family, and we all care for one another,' agreed the Rev. Wes Holland, who became pastor of the church a year ago. 'You walk in, and you feel like you've known everyone all your life.'
Martini Barksdale said the thrill of learning she had passed her citizenship test was overshadowed by the surprise celebration her church family planned for her.

'I couldn't believe it. There were so many dear friends who came just for me,' she said. 'That was the best part. It was so awesome.'

Reporter/columnist D'Ann Lawrence White can be reached at (813) 657-4524 or dlwhite@ tampatrib.com.

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