Future Shock

Thick as Glue depicts the experiences the writer encountered through childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. Thick as Glue explores the challenges in the writer's life, such as racism on the mission field, betrayal of love, abuse, and poverty as a child. She leans on a higher power in life, which is God. Annette Gaston was born a twin in 1955 with her sister, Annie. They were viewed as "miracle babies," because their brother, Mancie, was born mentally retarded. After the writer's father died when she was twelve years old, she experienced much poverty. But she managed to graduate from high school and college. In college is where she met her husband. He went into the ministry at age twenty-one. He met an African-American professor who convinced him to do missionary work in Africa. He left for Africa. The writer left the United States in 1979 to go to Sierra Leone, West Africa. The writer got married in Africa. The writer experienced some obstacles. She had to adapt to the African culture. The writer was exposed to witchcraft in Africa. Years later, when she returned to the United States, the spirit of witchcraft followed her in her personal life. She caught malaria in the village. Her condition worsened. She had to leave Africa. Thick as Glue recounts her impressions of living in Portugal and Trinidad. She confronted racism in Portugal. In Trinidad, her marital problems escalated. Because of the hardships on the mission field, the writer went through a divorce in 1988. She experienced depression. As a result of her depression, she was admitted to the hospital. She returned home to her twin sister in 1988 for emotional, financial, and spiritual support. The writer held on to her faith in God and persevered. She focused on God's promises.