The Official Writing Challenge
BACK TO
CHALLENGE
MAIN
INSTRUCTIONS
how it works
submission rules
guidelines for
choosing a level
ENTRIES
submit your entry
read current entries
read past entries
challenge winners
Our Daily Devotional HERE
Place it on your site or
receive it daily by email.


TRUST JESUS TODAY

  • Share
  • how it works
  • Submit
Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Evangelism (11/01/07)
The streets of Ulan Ude teamed with life that cold November day. Jameson noticed pedestrians bundled up against the biting cold. They seemed locked in their own small world.

People wore fur hats that revealed their origins as dampness wafted scent of wet dog. He fought the reflex to wrinkle his nose at the smell as one passed.

“I was thinking, Elder Holland,” he looked to his blond–– blue eyed companion.

“Did it hurt, Elder Jameson?” Holland said with a smirk.

Jameson chuckled and gave Holland a playful shove. “Do you know what your hat is made of?”

“No, why?”

“Mine is made from mystery fur and I don’t want to know otherwise. I have to admit though,” he gave his hat a pat, “it would be a good way to remember a long lost friend. He smirked at the irony of what kept your head warmest in Russia. If only his friends back home knew how many were made of fido!

Jameson and his companion’s teasing mood sobered as they walked the cold streets of Ulan Ude. They stopped to greet and invite people they met along the way to come to English class. He felt the ease of the Lord’s work that he had come to love so much. Sharing the Gospel––the Savior’s plan of happiness was what he lived for these days. Amazing when he thought about where he had started out back in Minnesota six months previous.

He flipped the collar of his wool coat around his neck, grateful for the warmth it provided. The wind still bit his face.

“Hey, Jameson, I can’t wait to send that picture of you flexing your muscles to my little sister in California. I can’t believe that a guy wearing a t-shirt over his coat that said “Free English Lessons”–– could draw such a crowd! Man, you sure gave me something to write home about. Thanks buddy!” Holland patted him on the back.

“It was nothing” he shrugged. The girls were laughing at me in the streets and I decided to turn it around. So I flexed my puffy “muscles” a bit. I can’t believe 72 people signed up. The Lord does provide a way dear brother.” Jameson’s smile lit his green eyes.

The Missionaries reached the corner the church was on. They hesitated as they saw how many had come. More than ever before! Jameson smiled as he unlocked the church doors. He was happy to take off his dirty shoes to exchange them for his slippers. Then turned to greet each person as they entered the church foyer. Holland directed them to the classroom.

A family who’d been taking English lessons for a few weeks arrived. It was one of those unforgettable moments in his life. Something was different about them this time.

The woman’s name was Elvira, she and her husband were intensely interested in learning to speak English. They had found the Missionaries through friends, fellow architects who’d been to their class. Elder Jameson was patient, this couple mispronounced many words, made silly jokes and mistakes while they attempted the new language. They never gave up and the joy of learning was written on their faces each time they met with them.

This day was different though. After the class was over this wonderful couple and many others lingered. It was Elvira who spoke for the group after exchanging nods.

“Dear Elder Jameson and Elder Holland,” Elvira said in English. Then in Russian she spoke softly, “We all wish to know more about why you are here in Ulan Ude and what gives you such a light in your countenance. We all wish to have this in our lives too. Would you please share with us about your church then we can each decide if this is what we want in our lives?”

Her fellow classmates all nodded and murmered in agreement.

Elder Jameson’s eyes glistened with unshed tears as he nodded to Elder Holland, who motioned for all to take a seat.

“Thank you for staying today, Elder Holland and I will be happy to teach you what gives us such a light. But first, I’d like to offer a prayer before we begin.”

All bowed their heads as he prayed. The students were touched by Elder Jameson’s words. The spirit filled the church in the city they called Ulan-Ude. It was a beginning, of further light and knowledge shed from above on the people of Russia.




******
This story is a work of fiction based loosely on fact. I dedicate this story to my missionary son and my dear friend Elya, in Russia. Bless you both for letting your light shine so bright!
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
This article has been read 1367 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Laurie Walker
11/10/07
Ewwww, really hope I never have a hat like that ;) Seriously though, I love this story. It's amazing how many opportunities to bring other to the knowledge of Christ can occur when we're serving others. Really well written. What a beautiful story.
Jan Ackerson
11/14/07
Great title, and the bit with the "mystery" hat was a superb hook! You're right, the name of the town is cool--as is this story, and also inspirational.
william price
11/14/07
This reads like a portion of a much larger novel. I loved the seeting, the mood, the tone and the pace. Very well writen and representation of the Lord's work in that land.
You set all my senses to flame and wanting more. Hope to read the expanded version some day. God bless.
Oh yes, the title, WAY KOOL!
Ann FitzHenry
11/14/07
Really touching story. I love your description of the hats. I could almost smell them! I enjoyed the easy dialogue between the two missionaries. Thanks for taking us to the streets of Russia.
Joanney Uthe 
11/14/07
The mystery hat reminds me of 'mystery meat' in the school cafeteria. I rather like it refering to fur than meat, though. I saw one missing quotation mark amongst the wonderful dialogue. The light banter between the two missionaries does a wonderful job of showing what the people saw that attracted them to the missionaries. Wonderful writing and a great story.
Pam Carlson-Hetland
11/14/07
Such a good story! I loved the characters described so well by their actions and dialogue. The mention of things like the "fur hat" and its scent help set the scene and bring the reader into unfamiliar territory of Russia. This is very well written. Excellent job.
Beth LaBuff 
11/15/07
This was an enjoyable-to-read inspiring story. Nice writing!
LauraLee Shaw
11/15/07
This was moving, touching and inspirational. Your title is an attention grabber, and the content following did not disappoint. Great piece!
Edy T Johnson
11/16/07
If this is not the novel you're working on, Val, then you have TWO to write. You do such a wonderful job of setting the scene through the dialogue between the two young men. I love that picture of the T-shirt over the winter coat used for advertising the class, and the picture you paint in my mind of his flexing his "muscles" to make the girls giggle.

Dittos to all the other comments, above, too. I'll have to share the part about the hats with my brother who brought one home from a medical mission in Ukraine. (^@^)
Rita Garcia
11/11/10
I agree with Edy! This would be an awesome novel! I love your flair for telling a story! Inspiration at it's best!