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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Missionary (10/19/06)
“God send me to the nations!” Chris prayed fervently, kneeling on the front step of a platform stage that dubbed as the church altar. He prayed at the same spot every Sunday after the evening service. Tonight the congregation had listened to a missionary from China tell about his experiences. The exciting testimonies and stories had made Chris’ heart burn with desire.

“God where do you want me? I am waiting on your call.” A lonely tear gently made its way down the side of Chris’ cheek. He had always known that he was called to be a missionary, he just did not know where. By eighteen he enrolled in the intercultural studies department at the local Bible School but graduated with still no direction from God as to where he was to serve. Now six months after graduation, still waiting on God, he had moved back in with his mom and taken a job at the neighborhood bank. It was not at all what he had expected.

Chris had always longed for the excitement of the wide world. The everyday monotony of his life in this mid-western town lacked adventure and charisma. He had known the same people all of his life and longed for change. When would his time come?

Despite his pleas, the heavens were silent and Chris turned around to sit for a moment upon the stairs and listen to the worship music that was still playing. He watched as various people filed out of the church service, while others stayed around engaged in conversation. Some of his friends waved goodbye to him from the back of the church. They knew not to bug him when he was up front praying. He waved back.

A woman entered the sanctuary dragging two young boys. Her hair had fallen out of place in her attempt to keep the two boys under control. Behind her trudged a teenager dressed in black dragging his feet on the carpet. It was clear by the expression on his face that he would rather be anywhere else but at church. One of the younger boys pulled away from her and raced to the other side of the church building. She chased after him.

“Daniel if you don’t get over her right now…” Various people glanced after her in pity, for she was a single mother and was obviously in way over her head.

Chris watched the chase with a sigh, and that is when it happened. Suddenly Chris heard a voice. It was silent, almost like a whisper in his ear, yet somehow louder than anything he had ever heard.

“You are right where I want you.”

Wide-eyed and in complete disbelief Chris sat motionless on the stairs. The voice seemed to echo off every object in the place and yet no one appeared to hear it but him.

The single mother now walked towards the front of the church with the two little boys who both appeared as though they had been crying. She glanced at Chris with a look that clearly said, “Help”.

A slow smile spread across his face. All this time he had been looking for the call to go somewhere else and yet he was right where God wanted him.

“Who knows where I will be a missionary to someday but for now God wants me to be a missionary here.” The words out of his mouth seemed to settle the issue and he stood, walked over to the now very tired looking woman, and picked up little Daniel.

“Hear anything from God tonight Chris?” He gently put his arm around her with Daniel smiling back.

“Yeah Mom, I think I did.”
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This article has been read 1013 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Andrea Hargrove
10/29/06
The ending could have been stronger, and there were some minor typos- the woman should tell Daniel to get over "here", not "her." Also, when one person is addressing another (such as God, Chris, or Mom), you need to isolate their names from the rest of the sentence with commas. However, you have a very believable character with a strong desire to serve God as a missionary. You conveyed his struggle clearly throughout this story.
Ruth Neilson
10/29/06
thank you for showing in your article that missionaries don't always happen in the exciting areas. A person can be used whereever they are, as long as they are willing.

I do agree that your ending is a little weak, but that might have been because of running out of words--that's understandable. And also, be careful of the grammer glitches and such.

Keep up the good work.
Donna Powers
10/30/06
A believable story and you did describe your character very well. I enjoyed reading this. Nice job!
Sharlyn Guthrie
11/02/06
Nice twist at the end of the story! Keep up the good work.
Marilee Alvey
11/02/06
Well, you got me! Unpredictable twist. I really enjoyed it. It made me want to go back and read what I'd missed. You have talent and imagination. Grammar can be addressed and fixed, but imagination is something else entirely. Keep up the good work.