Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: CHILL (10/29/15)
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TITLE: Mary's Puffy Purple Coat | Previous Challenge Entry
By marcella franseen
11/04/15 -
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“Are you ready to go?” her father called to her.
“Almost, Daddy.” She slipped on her puffy, purple coat. Reaching back, she pulled the fur-lined hood over her head.
The fur-lined hood was her favorite part and the reason she had begged her father to purchase the coat for her, even though she already had a perfectly good pink coat hanging in her closet.
The back of their van contained large boxes full of different sized winter coats. That morning she and her father were meeting other families from their church to deliver needed items to a homeless community on the edge of the city. This time of year, coats were definitely “needed items.”
She was shocked when they arrived. Having never visited a homeless community before, she didn’t know what to expect, but she definitely hadn’t imagined people living in tents.
“Hey, Josh! Hey, Mary!”
Mary spun around to see Pastor Randy shaking hands with her father. He gave her a smile. “Thanks for coming out this morning!”
“Absolutely! We’re glad to be here!” Her father replied.
Other men and women from church began to arrive and Mary felt more at ease in the company of familiar faces. Her father and Pastor Randy were now talking with one of the men from the community and receiving instruction on how best to distribute the items they had brought with them.
Mary noticed a girl, about her age, standing near a bonfire warming herself. The girl raised her hand and gave a small wave.
“Daddy! Daddy!” Mary interrupted her father as he and several other gentlemen unloaded the boxes from the van. “Can I go stand by the fire over there?”
Her father looked up. “Um, sure. I guess that is fine. Just stay where I can see you,” he hollered after her as she ran off.
At first the two girls didn’t say much. They watched the fire and exchanged shy smiles. Then, Mary summoned up her courage and spoke.
“My name is Mary.”
The little girl wrapped her jacket a bit tighter around her small frame and replied, “My name is Sophia.”
Silence again.
“Hey! I have an animal picture book in my tent. Do you want me to get it?”
“Okay,” Mary replied.
Sophia left the fire to retrieve her book. Mary watched as she made her way through the community of tents to the one she currently called home.
Within moments Sophia had returned. The two girls sat on folding chairs strategically place around the fire. A friendship was quickly formed over elephants, lizards, and dolphins.
Although they were near the warmth of the fire, Mary noticed Sophia shiver. Her jacket wasn’t near as warm as Mary’s puffy, purple coat with the fur-lined hood.
“You know what? We brought boxes and boxes of coats today. I bet we have one for you!” Mary jumped up excitedly. “Follow me!”
The two girls ran to Mary’s father. Sophia’s mother was already there wearing a new coat and waiting patiently as the men seemed to be searching for something.
“Sophia needs a coat, Daddy!” Mary exclaimed a bit out of breath.
“Actually, a coat for Sophia is what we are looking for right now, Mary. We can’t seem to find one.” Her father seemed frustrated. “I was sure we had enough. We may have to come back.”
Mary hesitated a second, then turned to her father. “I know!” she exclaimed. “She can have mine!”
They all three looked at her a bit surprised.
“Are you sure, Mary?” her father asked quietly.
“Yes, I have another at home and Sophia needs a coat.” She turned toward her new friend. “I’m sure!”
Mary removed her coat and held it out. Sophia looked at her mother as if to ask for her permission. Her mother nodded and brushed away a tear. “Thank you, Mary! Your kindness has blessed us today.”
It was a perfect fit! Reaching back, Sophia pulled the fur-lined hood over her head and both girls jumped up and down in excitement.
Josh wrapped his coat around his daughter’s shoulders. It was a while still before the group finished ministering to those living in the tent community. By the time the two of them returned to the van and headed home, he was chilled to the bone, but on the inside, he had never felt warmer.
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