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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: LOCKED (10/27/22)
Old fashioned post

Helicopters whirred ahead as we made our way through the deserted streets, using the shop canopies as cover. My husband, Chris, and I were determined to make our way to the rendezvous point, regardless of the police sent to arrest us and the helicopters looking for us and others.

The police had already padlocked the church building and left several patrolmen in the vicinity to ensure we didn’t enter the verboten structure.

We were scared to use email or text each other, so as a congregation, we’d gone ‘old school’ and used the post as a means of communication. We had received our letter the day before with instructions on how to get to the meeting place and how to avoid the police.

We heard footsteps behind us. Chris and I ducked into an empty shop entrance, holding our breath, praying against hope that no authorities were after us.
“Pssst. Amanda.”
I peeked around the corner, as I recognized the voice of our family friend, Aleksei, a Russian immigrant.
“Come quick,” I gestured, and he jostled beside us in the narrow space.

“Not far to go now,” Chris said as he looked down at the computer-drawn map that had been included in our letter.
“Is it really worth it?” I questioned.
Aleksei patted my arm vehemently, “Amanda. It is ALWAYS worth it. We cannot allow tyranny to win. Remember what Pastor Stephens quoted last week? ‘Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. … those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.’
“C.S. Lewis said that. I know, but all this subterfuge, is it right? Shouldn’t we be obeying our government? I mean, the Bible tells us to obey the governing authorities.”
Chris interjected, “Yeah, but not if they disobey God’s Word, and whew, this is a big one. We can’t do nothing.”
“What if we get arrested?”
“Then God will take care of us.”

I was reassured, just a bit. This ‘disobedience’ went against everything I had been raised to believe – the police are good; the government will look after you; obey the authorities. But now they had gone too far. Locking the church, and telling people they could not worship God together? This was not communist China!

The helicopter circled the nearby Walmart and IKEA as the three of us emerged from the shopfront and made our way to the park, where hopefully, the summer foliage would provide some cover as we, as a congregation, met to worship the Lord.

At the very moment we made our way to the park, our pastor was arrested at his modest home on the outskirts of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, for daring to keep his church open, and for encouraging his congregation to meet outdoors to worship God.

This is not Communist China. This is Canada 2021.


*************************************************************
Pastor Tim Stephens of Fairview Baptist Church in Alberta, Canada, was acquitted in November 2022 after being charged with breaches of public health orders for opening his church in 2020 and 2021.

Canadian Pastor Jailed for opening his church
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This article has been read 538 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Bonnie Clarkson
11/10/22
Very good story. Kept me wondering where you were at and what your mission was. It is long overdue for Christians to see persecution in North America is at hand. I know it was suppoosed to be for health reasons, but I did not approve of churchs stopping meeting due to COVID. The more I read, the more I believe COVID is more political than science.
Good story. Keep writing.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
11/10/22
I really enjoyed this. You did a nice job of creating conflicts and pulling the reader in. The ending was a bit jarring for me, but it was unexpected and I always appreciate an ending I don't see coming. As someone who is severely immune compromised, I understand the importance of shutting the church for a short period. I am also grateful that I can now see my son preach in a church 1200 miles away because of COVID. Being bed-bound, I'm now able to attend church every week from my bed. I see God doing great things even during hard times and that is always wonderful to see. But it's absolutely terrifying that the government would go to such lengths to find this church and that the close lasted longer than a month or two. You did a nice job retelling this story and bringing it to life.
Marlene Custer 
11/10/22
Congratulations on a story told well.
Art Fahy 
11/10/22
Congratulations on placing first.

Old Fashion Post fit the topic. Your characters were real the way they showed concern about being caught and for each other’s safety.

By Amanda showing doubt in obeying displayed her being real.

Your story was well crafted and held my interest. It was clearly written, communicated and flowed smoothly.
Mariane Holbrook
11/12/22
Honestly, if a fire had broken out in my house, I wouldn't have evacuated until I finished reading your entry. Talk about a cliff hanger! You deserved this win for sure! Kudos!