Why I Left China

It has been five years since my father died.  My mother had passed away ten years ago. My father who was a kind and hardworking man, raised my younger sister, Ju and me. Life was hard for us, especially since we were Christians. My father was the reason why I left China for good.  It …

His Brother’s Widow

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God - 2 Corinthians 1:3, 4 He watched her, his …

The Cycle

Photo by Brenda Cox “Where have you been?” “Out on assignment.  There’s this street art bike on wall editorial I’m working on.  It’s really cool.” “Have you forgotten that Uncle Lorne’s funeral is today?” “No, I haven’t forgotten.” “Well, let’s go then.” “I’m not going.” Mona stared at her sister.  “What do you mean you’re …

Old Stomping Ground

It was a Sunday evening and Laird was visiting his childhood home in Oxfordshire. He was there to tell his father about his engagement to Martina. The old man would probably be shocked because he always held the view that his younger son wasn't the marrying kind and that it would take a really special …

Someone Else Knew

He was in his office standing by the window, looking out and thinking about Monifa when there was a knock on the door. "Eingeben," he called. The door opened and Gracelyn entered. "I brought you your mail," she said, going over to his desk and putting it in the in-tray. "Thank you," he replied. "Would …

A Fitting Farewell

Father Kiesler stood there watching as the church sanctuary quickly filled up. It seemed like the entire community was there to pay their respects to Father Schmidt who had suffered a heart attack a few days ago and died. It was Sister Augustin who found him slumped over his desk in the office. She had …

The Prodigal Daughter

Gerhardt was in the study poring over papers he had brought home from the office when there was a knock on the door. "Yes?" The door opened and Benson stood in the doorway. "What is it, Benson?" "Sir, you have a visitor." "Who is it?" "It's Miss Frances Dormer, the late Mrs. Müller's sister." Helena's …

Avianna’s Interview

"Good evening and welcome to Insight Weekly. I'm your host, Bill Whitaker. This evening, I have a very special guest here with me. She recently won a humanitarian award for her work in Africa. She has appeared on numerous television shows, including CNN and BBC and in several magazines. She recently made TIME's list of …

So Many Gone

Photo by Trish Nankivell General Turpentine pulled into the gas station.  When the attendant came to his car, he recognized him.  “It’s Sergeant McCoy, isn’t it?” The young man smiled.  “Yes, Sir.” “It’s good to see you but why are you here?” “It’s the only job I could get.  Over there I was a hero …

Bernadette

I'm married to an older man. We met at his first wife's funeral. They never had any children. After 10 years of IVF cycles, they had to accept that their dreams of a family were not meant to be. They talked about adopting and had considered the orphanages in Africa and Asia but before those …