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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Soul (07/13/06)
Deanna dreamed of the day she would become Mrs. to the Rev. Jeffery Radisson. Plans were made right down to the last detail, she had covered every base. They would live in the suburbs, and two children would make them a perfect family. A week before the big day arrived, like sticking a pin in a balloon, her bubble burst. Her detailed plans shattered like glass.

“Deanna I have something I need to tell you.” Jeff put his arm around her.

Deanna cuddled next to Jeff hanging on to his every word.

“God is calling me to be a missionary.”

“Jeff! What are you talking about? That’s not what we planned.”

“I have prayed, pleaded with God, I don’t want to disappoint you, but I must answer His call.”

“I don’t know what to say. I had no idea you were even thinking about doing this. I don’t see myself living in a foreign country somewhere.”

“Deanna, we will work side by side bringing the gospel to the lost, this is the life God is calling us to.”

“It means we can’t do all we planned. How long would we have to stay? Surely, we can’t have our children there?”

“I don’t have the answers. Will you pray about it?”

“Yes. But, please take me home.” Deanna pulled her sweater around her.

Tears washed down her cheeks as she saw her dreams evaporate. Deanna prayed, when she felt His prompting to go, she pleaded with Him. “This isn’t the way it’s supposed to be.” For the first times in her life she doubted God, her soul felt empty. “Why would you do this to us? I don’t understand Your ways.” The fact remained, she was in love with Jeff.

“Jeff, it’s me. I’ve made a decision. In the words of Ruth, ‘where you go, I will go.’ I don’t understand His ways. I can’t say I feel elated about this, but I will go.”

“I love you so much.” His relief was tethered with concern.

Their big day arrived, exactly as Deanna planned, she look like a princess in her flowing gown. The “I do’s” were exchanged, and the celebration lasted into the evening. The band played as the bride and groom said their farewells.

“Sweetheart, don’t cry.” Jeff tried to comfort her.

“I can’t believe we’re waiting to board a plane taking us away from our family and friends.”

“Everything will be okay, He’ll send His Angels to prepare our way.”

“I love God with all my heart. He didn’t call me directly to go to a mission field, but He did call me to be your wife. I’m feeling a little sad, a little lost right now. I need a little time to become accustom to His design.”

The boarding call came. Deanna and Jeff found their seats, at the back of the plane.
After boarding a second smaller plane, which seamed none too safe, they finally arrived at their destination.

“All I want right now is a hot shower.” Deanna said.

The man threw the bags on top of the dilapidated old bus. The ride was bumpy, hot and long. Stepping off the bus they were surrounded by makeshift huts. Greeted with joyfulness by the missionaries, Mark and Georgia Evans, who were relieved to see the much needed help arrive. Confusion and shock was clearly exposed on the faces of Deanna and Jeff.

“Come on we will give you the grand tour.” Georgia showed them around the place they would now call home.

That night nestled in their hut, little did they realize this would be home for the next twelve years.



“Hi sweetheart, Mark showed me around today. I never imagined the reality of seeing conditions like these, people hungry and sick. It’s heartbreaking. How did your day go?”

“I spent it at the orphanage. Jeff, their little faces. They’re hungry, with clothes ragged and dirty. But those bright smiles, they wrapped tight, right around my heart. I want them to never feel hunger again. I want to teach them about Jesus. Why would God send me, I feel so unworthy?”

The tears came as she thanked God for the privilege of helping these precious children.

“The need is great, and we answered yes to His call”

“I thought of the words found in the twenty-third Psalms, a couple of times today.” Deanna opened her bible and read aloud.

“He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name sake.” Psalms 23:3 NKJV
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This article has been read 1709 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Sue Dent
07/20/06
Glad He can see the whole picture. I'm glad she was able to overlook her dreams to see what He had in store for her! Good emotion!
Jan Ackerson
07/22/06
Your message is inspiring--but it takes months, sometimes years, to prepare to go on the mission field. Something to fix in future edits? But I'm really glad that Deanna decided to stay with Jeff. A testament to loyalty and faith.
George Parler 
07/22/06
Good job! How true it is when our plans and dreams don't line up with His plans, it does take the wind out of our sail for the moment. But when we yield to His ways, everything works for our good according to His purpose. Good writing and great message.
Jen Davis
07/25/06
Left me smiling. You demonstrated very well the rewards of caring for those who are in need. Nicely done.
Brenda Craig
07/25/06
A beautiful description of compassion and sacrafice. Wonderful. I loved this.
Suzanne R
07/25/06
What a lovely story.

I do wonder at the mission agency they went through - usually it takes years of preparation for both parties - but I'm just being nit-picky.

Knowing it is true makes this all the more special.
Trina Courtenay
07/25/06
This is a great piece. And knowing it's true makes it all the more greater.
Linda Watson Owen
07/26/06
You've selected a wonderful topic for 'soul', Rita! My heart goes out to each missionary who has given up home and hearth to face the rigors of life on a mission field. Thank you for this gripping reminder!
Jan Ross
07/26/06
Rita, this is beautiful. I understand that "call" all too well, wondering why God would choose such a one as me. Thank you for sharing and stirring in others the need to pray for those in foreign lands sacrificially serving by putting hands and feet to the love of God. :)
Dr. Sharon Schuetz
07/27/06
Rita, this is wonderful. You revealed the love so well. I can see what you mean about having to cut out so much to get it to 750 words. But that's OK. We all understand that it was a period of several months cut down into 750 words, making it look like she went to the mission field a few days later. Great job.
Debbie Sickler
07/27/06
I really like the story here. There were a few typos etc., but those could be easily fixed. (I had a few this week myself. lol)

My one suggestion to make it clearer about the passage of time would be to put an extra line of space between time periods.

Like when she says "It's me." The line before that they are next to each other, so that threw me off for a minute. If there was an extra line of space, then it would be more obvious that she was calling on the phone (without the extra word count of actually coming out and saying it.)

Still, a wonderful story to be able to pass down through your family. Thanks for sharing it here with your extended family. :)
Marilee Alvey
08/03/06
Rita, I loved this story. How many of us have had something like this happen in their lives? When I was engaged, my fiance told me he was joining the Air Force. His draft number was 36. The only person I knew who'd married someone in the Air Force had to go to Ethiopia. I SO didn't want to go there. I was only 20 years old and didn't want to leave my friends, whom I found had left me, anyway, as they traveled off to distant colleges. My fiance ended up compromising and being a pilot in the Air National Guard. Years later, my daughter faced this as her fiance told her he always wanted to do Youth Ministry. She told him, although she's a strong Christian, she had no desire to do that because it would take too much time from their family. I'm happy to see someone be able to trust like your heroine did. We can miss out on God's plan A for our lives without faith. He blesses it every time! Thanks for the reminder!