Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Husband and Wife (08/08/14)
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TITLE: The Way of a Man with a Woman | Previous Challenge Entry
By Dannie Hawley
08/10/14 -
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“Did you see the giant? He scares me; I think he could squeeze your neck until you die with just one hand.”
“Then, maybe that scrawny neck of yours should stay away from him,” Pablo said, spitting out dust as he laughed.
The sound of the Americans’ singing ended their conversation. By the time the young men had reached the construction site, the tee-shirt-clad figures had stowed their Bibles and moved to collect tools.
Juan had been assigned to work with Frank, who had a full twelve inches on Juan and shoulder-width twice his own. Because of his fear, when Frank told him to do something or fetch a tool, Juan sprang to the task.
As the days passed, Frank’s perplexing behavior troubled Juan. While he saw that Frank knew how to direct men to build a sound structure, sometimes bellowing out instructions and correction, his heart seemed to fail him when the tiny woman interrupted him. Why didn’t he slap her and tell her to stay home? What business did she have coming here?
Pablo and Juan stood side-by-side, the rhythm of their hammers producing its own special song. Heads turned at the sound of the motor. One final ring of steel-on-steel indicated the men knew it was time to eat.
Beautiful brown-skinned women carried large platters of freshly-baked corn tortillas through the gathering of hungry men, followed by metal bowls of hot, spicy frijoles.
Juan watched as Frank’s little woman approached him, covered dish in hand. As she reached the giant, her foot caught on a stone and she stumbled. Frank reached out to steady her, but the meal slipped from her hands into the dirt.
“Pablo. Look over there. He’s gonna smack her a good one now. What woman drops a man’s dinner? She needs to be taught a lesson.”
Pablo turned, freezing the motion of his tortilla. The up-turned corners of Juan’s mouth suddenly sagged as his lower jaw dropped wide-open. Juan’s eyebrows shot into his cap; white color completely surrounded his dark brown eyes. He’d never imagined he’d ever witness such a thing.
Frank reached out to his wife, both of them laughing. “Is this the way you get me to start that diet you’re always talking about?” The giant was actually helping her pick up the bowl and utensils.
“Oh, Frank,” Kristine managed to get out through her giggles. “Actually, I had made dinner for two, thinking I’d join you today.”
Frank bent low, and reaching out, pulled her into his enormous arms. His mouth whispered something Juan couldn’t hear, but the woman nuzzled her head deeper into his neck.
Pablo returned to his tortilla, but not Juan. Juan’s stupefied fascination overrode his hunger. As Frank’s woman waited on the log, the giant actually brought tortillas and beans back to his wife. What was wrong with that gringo?
During the final week of the project, Juan’s growing curiosity peaked. He furrowed his brows as he approached Frank, cap in hand. “Why does this small Señora, whose head doesn’t even reach your chin, hold such power over you?”
To Juan’s surprise, Frank roared with laughter. “Oh, she’d love to hear you ask that question, Juan!” Frank’s tears dripped from his eyes as he struggled to get the words out. “The real answer to your question is in these pages.” Frank leaned to the left, pulling out a well-worn little book from his hip pocket.
“But, Señor, that’s a Bible, no?”
“Indeed, it is, Juan. Right here in this book, I’m told to love my wife and to care for her as for my own body. Loving her is the way I show Jesus that I love Him and that I have chosen Him to be my Lord.”
“I have watched how you are with your woman, every day, and how happy you are. Show me in your book how to find such joy; how to treat my Rosa.”
In the few remaining days of the mission project, Frank opened the Scriptures to Juan, whose heart had been made ready by the Holy Spirit. The young man accepted Jesus as His Lord and Savior.
Until Juan had built up his courage enough to question Frank, the American couple had been totally unaware their testimony as husband and wife had touched anyone. Truly, our love for one another is the best witness of God’s love.
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Creative Nonfiction. Some names have been changed.
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Great story of true love!
Wing His Words
I loved this! Well done my friend.
God bless~
I'm so happy you received an EC Dannie!! Great job.
God bless~
Wing His Words