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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Birth (infancy) (08/20/09)
PASTOR PAUL
(applause) Thank you, Praise God. Thank you. Hello everybody! (waves with one hand) Welcome to today’s edition of U-Talk with Pastor Paul. (applause) Thank you; thank you. We have a wonderful guest with us today. Please welcome Samantha Bauer, author of the new book, Baby Steps. (applause, cheers)

SAMANTHA
(walks on stage, sits in the guest chair) Thank you Pastor Paul. What a wonderful studio! God has truly blessed you. I’m truly thankful for the opportunity to share my testimony.

PASTOR PAUL
Thank you for stopping by. I re-read your book over the weekend, and found myself crying at several points. It’s a powerful, moving story. Could you give us the short TV version for our audience today?

SAMANTHA
Oh, sure, no problem. I grew up in a Christian home. I knew all the Bible stories—my parents were strong Christians, leaders in the church. I was a perfect little girl—I was the apple of my daddy’s eye. But, something happened when I became a teenager. I started acting out, rebelling and even defying my parents. They denied it, and they still thought I was their perfect little girl. By the time I got in high school, I really went crazy. It was then I became pregnant.

PASTOR PAUL
How old were you?

SAMANTHA
I was only 15.

PASTOR PAUL
Did your parents find out?

SAMANTHA
No. I couldn’t tell them. They just COULDN’T find out.

PASTOR PAUL
So, what did you do?

SAMANTHA
I was so young; I wasn’t thinking straight. I ran away to another state to live with my Aunt.

PASTOR PAUL
Didn’t she try to—

SAMANTHA
Yes, she was a pro-abortion advocate and she tried to get me to kill my baby. But I refused. She pushed and pressured me; then finally one day she tried to force me. She took me to the Family Planning Clinic, but I escaped on the way. Later, I was sitting on a park bench, a man walked up to me and led me to a woman’s shelter. Now I believe that man was an angel.

PASTOR PAUL
Bless the Lord!

SAMANTHA
Amen! The people in the shelter were—are—the most godly Christian people I had ever met. They helped me every step of the way. They fed me, cared for me, and then, when the day came, helped me have my baby. It was worth going through everything--and all the birth pain--the moment I heard Rachel cry for the first time. After Rachel was born, something changed. I started feeling guilty. I heard my Aunt’s voice in my head, tormenting me, saying “See I told you—you shouldn’t have kept the baby.” I couldn’t sleep, between Rachel’s feedings and the torment of providing Rachel a good home—what future would she have with a homeless teenager?

PASTOR PAUL
What happened then?

SAMANTHA
Oh Pastor Paul. I was like—I was frantic--I freaked out. It was a chilly night, in the fall, about 15 years ago. As I started wrapping up Rachel, I knocked over some pamphlets in my room. I picked one up—I can still see it as if it happened yesterday—it was titled Give Your Baby a Safe Haven, subtitled, Leave your Baby in the Emergency Room, No Questions Asked. Rachel apparently felt my panic, and started screeching. I ran out of there with her. The Hospital was only a few blocks away. I saw the red Emergency Room sign beckoning me in the night. I was so scared. As I walked closer to the building, I prayed. “Lord, please watch over her. I—I can’t take care of her but I know You can.” I stepped through the double sliding glass doors and went to the triage desk. Each step was like walking through water. When I got to the desk, the lady there asked if she could help me. I placed Rachel in her arms, and said “Her name is Rachel.” Then I ran. (Samantha starts crying)

PASTOR PAUL
(stands, then side-hugs Samantha) Well, Samantha, we have a surprise for you (waves one hand, enter Rachel) This is Rachel, your daughter. It took some doing, but we found her.

SAMANTHA
Wha—who? Oh—this is-- (Rachel and Samantha embrace, audience applauses and cheers)

PASTOR PAUL
And—as you can see—Rachel’s pregnant, just as you were back then.

SAMANTHA
Oh, baby…and—baby! (giggles) This is so wonderful—praise the Lord!

PASTOR PAUL
Amen! Can everybody say Amen?
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This article has been read 1862 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Anita van der Elst
08/27/09
This story is well-written. I like the script-style; I can see it being used as a skit for church. But perhaps because of the word limit, the emotional impact wasn't quite there for me. Or maybe because the opening with Pastor Paul made me think it was going to be a spoof of some kind.

Sharon Laughter
08/28/09
I expected a "spoof" as well! However, I loved reading your script style. It flowed, was sparkly and fun. (But not a match for the story you wanted to tell.) So in a future assignment may we look forward to a "spoof"??
Lisa Johnson
08/29/09
I enjoyed the story very much...but I was curious about Rachel's age? Was she a grown woman, or a (teenage) pregnancy like her mom?
Jacob Drollinger
09/01/09
The emotional impact didn't come for me until the very end. Very well written, good story. Just a little predictable.
Mona Purvis
09/01/09
As a play, I think it would be more effective. I was wondering while reading it, where were her Christian parents while this was going on?
Strong characters.
Mona
Gregory Kane
09/01/09
You certainly unfolded the story well. I also found the ending a little strange. Presumably Rachel is also a 15-year-old unmarried Mum, so I was surprised at the pastor's being quite so enthusiastic. Presumably he would have to be careful about the sort of message he is seen to condone.
Bryan Ridenour
09/01/09
Nice script entry. I could see this being done on Sanctity of Life Sunday at church. Nicely done. I, too, wondered about her parents...