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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: BREATH (11/19/20)
Their song, "A Love So Beautiful" by Roy Orbison, was playing in the background while Jon and Rhea sat there on the floor leaning against the wall and holding hands. Smoke sifted in through the cracks in the old frame building's walls. Muffled-angry shouts from outside could be heard by them both but were ignored by them both. Soon, flames erupted inside the building here and there. To the average person, considering the surrounding events, this would be some of the last breaths of Jon and Rhea.

Borno State, a focal point of Boko Haram, the militant Muslim terrorist group that is joined at the hip with Al-Qaeda in Nigeria. What American Citizen would go there on purpose? That is exactly what Jon's and Rhea's families said to them when they announced their intentions. The most frightening aspect of their announcement was they're going as Christian Missionaries. That put a target on their backs for sure.

Jon and Rhea were newly married. Their dream was to spend the first few years of marriage serving God on his terms - no matter the danger or the hardships of such service. After much soulful praying, the decision was Borno State, Nigeria. The two were certainly very young and extremely naive, but God has a habit of picking the most unlikely candidates for his toughest and most important missions. God evidently knows much more than we do about our capabilities. Too, God has the divine ability to "grow us" in a hurry if need be. When it comes to God, nothing is done half-way.

The families objected. Jon and Rhea put this verse before them at a family meeting: Matthew 7:21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven."

Rhea's father berated them saying, "You don't have to take everything in the Bible so seriously."

Rhea took her father's hands in hers. "2 Timothy 3:16-17 'All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.' God has prepared us well, Father. If you cannot trust us, then at least trust Him."

Jon and Rhea worked hard at being the best missionaries in that backward and dangerous environment of northeast Nigeria. It was difficult, but, as she had indicated to her father, God had prepared them well. The Nigerian people are a good and loving people, but, as in every society, there exist bad seeds, the Boko Haram ranks were filled with them.

As was their nasty habit, the cadre of Boko Haram struck the village, where Jon and Rhea were working, late in the night while all were sleeping. The late-night attack, with all the shouting and noise, was designed to cause maximum confusion and fear. Most of the small village was ablaze before any of the inhabitants could flee the huts. Screams and pandemonium prevailed.

Jon and Rhea put their heads against one another and prayed in the midst of the flaming inferno. Upon completion of the prayer, they stood while coughing from the smoke, pulled the flimsy door open, and walked outside to take their last breath while being shot or hacked to death by a machete. But God is in charge.

As they appeared through the smoke and flames, like Daniel in the Old Testament, and stopped upon seeing the Boko Haram soldiers standing around watching, they had the appearance of ghosts. The darkness of the night and the blackened faces of Jon and Rhea caused some of the soldiers to scream, drop their weapons, and run. This caused a general panic among the remaining soldiers. Soon, the village was cleared of all Boko Haram insurgents.

Rhea looked at Jon with an astounded look on her face saying, "We thought it was our last breath. How shallow is our faith."

Jon looked at Rhea with a similar astounded-look answering, "Yes, how shallow is our faith, and how powerful is our God." Then he turned his eyes toward the other huts. "We must try to save the villagers."

A few were saved, but many more did not make it. It was a difficult time. Jon and Rhea grew up that night and did not breathe their last breaths. Yes, the Lord gave their missionary work his breath of life.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Barbara Lynn Culler 
11/27/20
What an amazing story!
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
12/01/20
This is a powerful descriptive story with a profound message.
John Custer
12/01/20
A great story!! Having heard the stories of missionaries who were martyred, it was surprising to me how ofter a relative went to take their place.
Arlene Baker 
12/02/20
This story has a ton of potential. The hook is compelling. To give it more punch, here are some suggestions:

1st, watch your grammar and punctuation. 2nd, take out all the passive verbs. 3rd, avoid trite expressions. 4th, avoid using the word breath over and over. The reader will get the gist of the story without repetition. 5th, end with a strong conclusion.

Would love to see this again with some serious tweaking! It is a great story of God's provision!