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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Willingness (02/21/05)
“Man, that is nasty!” Jimmy said as he held his nose and looked into “the pit”.
Actually, “the pit” was where the outhouse for the orphanage used to be. He had come to check it out after he read a notice on a bulletin board in the dorm. The notice asked for volunteers to help clean out “the pit”. Jimmy turned away trying not to gag.
“It’s too early for this.” Jimmy said as he turned to go to breakfast.
A few minutes later Kiara came to the pit. She had seen the request for volunteers right after breakfast. It didn’t take long for her to realize coming to the pit was a big mistake.
“Omigosh!” she said as she covered her mouth. She gagged as she ran for the nearest trashcan.
It wasn’t long before two boys approached the pit. Donte and Rico liked to think they were pretty tough.
“Yo, Donte!” Rico said.
Donte turned. The grimace on his face mirrored Rico’s.
“Whatchuwant man?” Donte asked.
Rico pointed to the pit. “Why we here bro’?”
“They is looking for somebody to clean up this mess.” Donte replied.
“No way man!” Rico said and ran away.
Donte tried to yell at him, but the stench overwhelmed him. He pinched his nose and ran.
Lunchtime came and went. Nobody went near the pit after Donte and Rico ran away from it. In fact they stayed as far away from it as possible.
Finally Jo-Jo, a sixteen-year-old, came out of the dorm. He hadn’t been at the orphanage very long. Some of the kids called him “Slo-Jo” because they thought he was “slow”. He wasn’t “slow” at all. Jo-Jo just had a harder time learning some things.
On his hands were old work gloves. Rubber waders covered his feet and legs.
Jo-Jo was carrying a shovel and reading the notice about volunteers as he walked toward the pit. At the edge of the pit he stopped and looked down. Closing his eyes he took a deep breath and jumped in! Jo-Jo got right to work. Some kids gasped while others laughed.
“Jesus loves me this I know. For the Bible tells me so. Little ones to him belong. I am weak but he is strong.” He sang as he worked.
After about fifteen minutes Jo-Jo heard a thunk. His shovel had hit something! He raised the shovel and thrust it down again. Thunk! There it was again.
It was a trunk! Grabbing the handles on each end he gave a tug. With a loud “schlorrp!” the trunk came out of the sludge. Some of the other kids edged closer. The smell wasn’t bothering them now.
By this time the person in charge of the orphanage had joined the growing throng.
“Open it Jo-Jo!” Mr. Markham said with a smile.
Jo-Jo slammed the head of the shovel against the lock. After a couple of whacks the lock came off. Quickly he opened the trunk and found a Bible and an envelope. Written on the envelope was “A willing heart”. Jo-Jo ripped it open and handed it to Mr. Markam.
“Would you please read it? I’m way too nervous.” Jo-Jo said.
Mr. Markam put on his glasses and cleared his throat.
“It says, ‘Because you were willing to volunteer for a job that no one else would do – with no thought for what you might gain - I am giving you a scholarship to be used at the top college in our state. I will also donate 1.5 million dollars to your orphanage.’” Markam paused and then slowly repeated, “One…point…five…million…dollars!”
A cheer went up all around. Markam shushed them.
“There’s more!” he shouted. “‘However, the greatest treasure is found in this Bible. In it you will find the answer to your every question. Please, do not neglect the truths of this book. Just as you were willing to sacrifice to get into the pit, God’s son – Jesus - sacrificed his life for mankind to rescue us from the mire of sin. God’s blessings, Phillip D. Tremaine.’” Markam looked up. “Tremaine is a multi-millionaire!”
Donte and Rico started laughing. Jo-Jo turned to them with the Bible in his hand. Donte elbowed Rico who then glared menacingly at Jo-Jo.
“Well, you heard him. You need this more than I do. I already found the treasure of Jesus and all he has done for me! You guys can too!” he smiled and handed the Bible to Donte.
Rico chuckled, but Donte opened it and started reading.
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This article has been read 1276 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Amy Davis
03/01/05
I liked this. A serious matter reflected in a light tone.
Phyllis Inniss 
03/01/05
I too liked this. A bit out of the ordinary but with a message for all.
donna robinson
03/03/05
I don't know if the copy and paste caused problems, but spacing between the dialog would help the reading. But the story was great! I thought it was special that the one who was willing was the smartest, the bravest or the hippest, just someone who understand that a job needed to be done and had a willing heart. Very nice.
Donna Morton
03/06/05
I really, really liked this! The message--the rewards for willingness to serve--is great! You're a very good writer and your style is polished--maybe you're ready to venture out of the beginners category?
Crista Darr
03/12/05
Looking into the "pit" we get a glimpse of our sin and a more realistic vision of the sacrifice Jesus made for us. We were that filthy and more!
Deborah Porter 
04/04/05
Robert, I'm only just getting a chance to leave some feedback as I prepare all the winning entries for the next FaithWriters' Anthology ("In the Beginning"). This really was so creative and honestly nailed the topic perfectly. Well done. I had your story copied into Word so I could just check it over before including it in the copy for the book, but had to go and cook dinner. My 19-year-old daughter saw it on my screen and read it - she thought it was great! So well done Robert and please keep rising to the Challenge! With love, Deb (Writing Challenge Co-ordinator)