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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: PAIN (04/21/22)
The ring of the phone pierces our quiet. A 2 a.m. -40 January temperature dares my husband to respond. “Will you come to the jail right now and pick up the released inmates?”

He accepts the dare, shudders the van to life, and drives five miles away.

Incarceration policy mandates that inmates leave the jail with exactly what they had on when they were arrested. What these people wear is not enough against temperatures that are dangerous.

My husband collects the inmates and as soon as they step into the warm van, they begin to fight with each other. They turn to curse him, slam the doors as they storm back out, and then run away into the night. Slap.

He performs eight-hour funerals over and over again for an isolated community of people who gladly receive but don’t realize the cost to him. He continues to say yes to the call display when other ministries ignore it after being burned that first time. Slap.

Vile assumptions about his character spew forth when my husband refuses to jump to drunken commands, all the while handing out food, clothing, and shelter. Slap.

There are few bruise marks on the cheeks of Western Christianity, yet my husband gladly ministers in this way of pain because Christ suffered for us - the righteous suffering for the unrighteous. 1 Peter 3:8.


And the servant is not greater than his Master. John 13:16
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This article has been read 286 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Naoma Bird
04/28/22
Appreciated this piece. To often pain isn't physical for sure.
Noel Mitaxa 
04/30/22
Graphic, powerful, and succinct.
Philippa Geaney
04/30/22
Such a broken world. May your husband receive double fold in this life and the next.
May your love for him be a great comfort, as you trust the Lord to be his very present companion during this ministry.
Laurie Bahlke
05/02/22
It is a difficult thing to keep going when there may be little appreciation however, I feel that your husband will be blessed, and that God has called him to this. I am so thankful that he has answered his calling. Blessings to you and thank you for sharing.
Marlene MCPherson
05/04/22
This is really a hard task, only the Lord can help his pain as he tries to do his part.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
05/05/22
This is a great idea. Very few people truly understand all of the things ministers do, so I think that is great. I wish there was more detail instead of a quick laundry list. This idea would make a great story if you add body language, thoughts, dialog. I enjoyed the out of the box take on the topic and truly do appreciate his and your service to those who can't or don't know how to appreciate it.