Valarie Harris Powell

In the Midst Valarie Harris Powell

The rainy days of spring gave way to humid mornings the summer of 1973, forcing Lola Williams to drowsily toss and turn in search of a dry spot in her sweat-soiled bed. The small upstate New York community of brick Dutch Row houses baked their tenants, forcing them to pour one by one to stoops and open windows. Lola willfully peeled her body from her sticky sheet and made her way to the window, where she found no relief. But the heat didn't bother Lola like previous summers when she was held captive to her bedroom window, because her mother, Ruby, refused to give her permission to work a summer job. It was Lola's first day of work, cleaning the sanctuary at Word of Truth Church where unbeknownst to anyone God had placed two ancient pews. When Lola washes the pews God releases a powerful anointing that changes her life and the life of others in her community.