Back in Jacksonville

He was back in Jacksonville after spending eight weeks on a teaching mission in Kigali, Rwanda. He was still readjusting to the time difference. Rwanda was six hours ahead. "You still haven't told me about your mission trip to Rwanda. How was it?" "It was very good. I'm happy I decided to do it." "I …

Efosa

Martin was immediately attracted to Efosa when they met, although there was a considerable age difference between them. One afternoon when he was walking home from church, he ran into her. He invited her to join him and as they walked, they talked. It was the first time they had exchanged more than pleasantries. Her …

Books, The Theatre, Prison & Dinner

"Where's Mom?" Chelsey asked Gideon. "She's not going to be joining us." "How come?" "She isn't feeling well." "Oh." She couldn't help wondering if her mother really wasn't feeling well or if she just didn't want to go to the matinee show for Les Misérables at the Sondheim Theatre. Afterwards, they were going to have …

Michelle’s Afternoon in the Museum

Michelle was reading a very interesting but strange book. The room suddenly tilted to one side and the people poured out was the first line which had grabbed her attention and made her want to read it. She was there at the museum reading it while waiting for her friend, Alison who promised that she …

A Day in Ouidah

Ede was looking out the window when she saw Hank drive up. Immediately her heart began to beat faster. "Pastor Hank is here," she told her grandmother. "Good. I'm looking forward to meeting him." Ede went to answer the door. Hank's face broke into big smile when he saw her. "Good morning, Pastor Hank." "Good …

Lunch With Curtis

"So, how are things between you and Curtis?" Marsha asked Jodie. Jodie turned to look at her, a slight smile on her face. "They're going well," she replied. "I'm having lunch with him in an hour." "Good. I'm happy to hear that. I was beginning to think that another year would go by and you …

Our Day at Coney Island

I was determined to have a great time today at Coney Island and not think about tomorrow when Maxime was leaving or the days after he was gone. I didn't sleep that well last night and had to force myself to have breakfast this morning. I arrived at his hotel and waited outside for him. …

Ede Meets Hank

It had been several weeks since Father Desjardins left. She missed him very much, especially their talks about the Bible and religion in general. There were times when she walked through the fields, half expecting to see him or him sitting down at the picnic table at the back of her grandmother's house. She went …

Hank’s Last Day in Portland

He was going to miss coming here to this spot where he spent hours reflecting, praying and enjoying his surroundings. Hopefully, there will be places of solitude in Cotonou where he could spend time alone with God and nature. He had been a pastor since he was twenty-five and now he was fifty. People were …

One More Day

This evening Maxime and I are on a luxury dinner cruise in New York City. We're in first class and are enjoying amuse bouche, French for "mouth amusers" at our own private table before dinner. We are sipping non-alcoholic aperitif cocktails. It is such a magical evening. I feel like Cinderella with her handsome prince …