No Engagement Ring

by Julie Sewcharan

  Emily waylaid her as she opened the gate. “Hi!” Emily greeted enthusiastically ushering Hannah into the house and placing a mug of something hot to drink in her hand. “How did you find the first day?”

  “It is quite an awesome course. Very informative. I thoroughly enjoyed it.” she said genuinely.

  “Most people who attend the course have said that,” Emily nodded.

  “Whoever came up with that course is brilliant. Great way to get people to realise their worth in Christ.” Hannah was dreamy.

  “It was started by Jonathan actually. It was not meant to be a course. He intended it to be done in small groups during a weekday night. It was Ethan Jackson who championed it into a course. Ethan is a junior pastor who looks after the evangelism side of things.” Emily filled her in.

  Hannah just nodded. “I'm going to read over my notes again tonight. Sounds like the next session will be quite interesting.”

  “Yes it is. You must be tired,” Emily said suddenly getting revelation.

  “A bit,” Hannah confessed. Emily released her then and before long, Hannah was asleep without having supper. In the morning, she was ravenous when she got up.

  Church was just as awesome as the week before even though someone else preached. She supposed, she would get used to all the ministers and leaders at some stage but for now she was content to just sit and enjoy the service.

  Once again, she did not wait with Emily and Derrick. This week she chose to tutor at the Donna Music Academy. Normally she didn't work there on a Sunday but with having to attend the course on Saturdays, there would be no opportunity to tutor; something she really enjoyed doing.

  Working at the academy, had kept her going financially while she had been waiting for a job and she was grateful for the fifty percent she earned with every lesson she gave. The thought to stop offering her services at the academy occurred to her but because she enjoyed doing it she was not sure when she would stop. Also, the students liked her and most wanted to remain with her which was not possible now that her schedule was different. Some, however, changed their schedules to accommodate hers. She was blessed!

  She decided to continue and make a difference in people's lives while she could. Most of her students were children, which she appreciated as it was her heart's desire to teach children. Either their parents wanted them to learn music or make the music grade at their school. School hours just did not allow for students who struggled, hence the extra lessons. Donna's...was grateful for the business.

  At some stage, she guessed she should call it quits at the academy but until then, Hannah looked forward to inspiring music.

  She was settling into her new life. Emily and Derrick invited her to supper every now and then. Although reluctant to intrude, she felt it more rude to decline.

  Evenings spent with the couple, were enjoyable but they hardly spoke of their children; just tit bits of information here and there. They never probed about her family either, for which Hannah was grateful. She wasn't quite ready to talk about her life just yet.

  Her first month at the school flew by and Hannah felt as if she had been there forever. Principal Hart popped in now and then into the class but never made Hannah feel threatened or belittled.

  During this time, she did not engage with Jonathan but she expected that he would check up on her sometime. That sometime was a Thursday afternoon! Hannah was preparing for Friday when Jonathan popped in.

  “Hello, Hannah!” he greeted pleasantly.

  She jumped because she hadn't seen or heard him come in. “Oh, hello, Pastor Chandler,” she greeted timidly. Her hand was still on the puzzles she was laying out.

  “Jonathan please,” he said with the same pleasantness.

  Hannah shook her head. “I couldn't call you that,” she said without explanation.

  Puzzled, he walked forward and stopped in front of her. Hannah under pretence that she needed to get other items, walked away to stand behind her desk where she relaxed her shoulders, feeling safe. He stood where he was. Was he ever going to get her to stop trembling with fright whenever he was in close proximity to her? Especially since they would be in each other's company quite a lot now that she was teaching at the school.

  “Why can't you?” he asked blankly.

  “Call you by your name?” she reiterated.

  “Yes,” he said slowly.

  “You are the senior pastor and as a member of your church, I have to call you by your title. It's what I've been taught.” She said with finality.

  He wanted to laugh at the ridiculousness of the statement but the seriousness on her face stopped him. He let it go.

  “You've been here a month,” he stated instead. She nodded. “Are you enjoying it here?”

  There was no expression on his face or in his eyes, Hannah noticed. Perhaps, out of duty, he asked every knew teacher that. There probably were no new teachers since the school opened, though, she figured. She knew the previous kindergarten teacher had left only because her husband had taken a better job in another province and they had to move. No one actually wanted to leave the school.

  “Yes, I am,” she said honestly, with humility. “Thank you.”

  “I'm glad,” he said still without expression.

  An awkward silence hung between them. Hannah wondered if he was thinking about what to say next or if he had some news to tell her that wasn't pleasant.

  “Did you enjoy the discipleship course?” he asked at length.

  “Yes,” she nodded. “It ends this weekend. It is a brilliant course. I am so glad to have attended it.”

  He looked at her with an expression Hannah did not recognise but didn't say anything in reply. Instead he said goodbye and left. Unconcerned by his abrupt exit, Hannah sighed with relief, breathing normally again.

  The next day, Jonathan visited Sarah. “How are things going?” he asked conversationally.

  “Brilliantly. We are ready to start with the year end programme,” she said with a twinkle in her eye.

  “That's wonderful,” he said distractedly.

  “What's bothering you?” Sarah asked after a short pause.

  “I guess I'm just unhappy that she's proving me wrong,” he sighed running a hand through his short, thick black, straight hair.

  “Hannah,” Sarah stated. “Come with me,” she said firmly.

  Jonathan obeyed, following her down the passage. All the well equipped, elegant classrooms had window panels that allowed one to look into the classroom from the passage. As they walked along the passage, they briefly glanced in at the classes being conducted. It was a delight to know that the pupils were paying attention.

  Eventually, they stopped outside the kindergarten class where Hannah was telling the children a Bible story. She was seated on the floor with the children surrounding her in either a repose position or lying on their stomachs with their heads resting on their chin.

  Hannah's back was to the passage and she was shoeless, like the children, sitting crossed legged with her feet under her knees. She was totally comfortable as she read them the story. Each child was listening intently. Not excluding the children by just reading the story, she got them involved in it. By enacting the story with simple, effective actions and the children complied enjoying themselves.

  Jonathan just stared into the classroom.

  “She doesn't love her job,” Sarah said gently. Jonathan's head snapped in her direction with a look of panic, but Sarah was looking fondly at the group on the other side. “She loves them.” She inclined her head to the children.

  For the first time, Jonathan could see why they were champions for Hannah Wilkens. He sighed. God knew she was good for the job but that was not the reason He wanted her here at The Shepherd's House of Excellence and at Gateway to Eternal Life Church. He wished he was privy to that information but God would reveal all in His time.

  “Just accept her,” God said so clearly that Jonathan wondered if it wasn't Sarah who had spoken the words. But a glance at her t
old him she was rapt with the group in her sight and could not have spoken.

  Rather than fight the One who was far mightier than him, Jonathan accepted that Hannah Wilkens was here to stay. They left without Hannah ever knowing they'd been there.

  Saturday was a blistery day for the last day of the discipleship course. To end the course on a lasting impression, they were encouraged to sign up as volunteers at any department in the church to 'grow' them into disciples. A list was handed out for them to put their details against.

  Hannah gave the praise and worship department a skip; even though they did an excellent job – no other church she attend had such a Spirit filled team. She also gave the children's church a skip. Most of the others she was not sure she wanted to be a part of. Finally, she settled for the department doing charity work on behalf of the church. At least there she could blend in and not have to stand out.

  During the four Saturdays on the course, she had made some friends around her age or slightly older; mostly single people except for one couple who was about four years older. They were married for a few months now and had just joined the church recently. In the short span of their membership, they were raving about the church and it's pastors.

  All the friends she made were great people and Hannah enjoyed their company. But she wasn't apt to becoming bosom buddies with any of the people she befriended. At least not right away. Besides, she enjoyed spending time alone.

  With promises of getting in touch with Hannah, they said goodbye. They would meet up again soon, not that it bothered Hannah if they didn't. Emily was home when Hannah got in.

  “Are you glad it's over?” Emily called from her kitchen door which overlooked the cottage entrance.

  “In a way I am,” Hannah confessed truthfully. “A part of me, however, would like to continue. It was so interesting. In all the years I've been a Christian, I've only just learned some of the most important things a believer should know.”

  “It is an eye opener that course, which is why Jonathan insists every volunteer should attend. He strongly recommends it to the new comers as well.”

  “And of course the school staff,” Hannah added.

  Emily looked at her blankly then remembered that Jonathan had wanted Hannah to attend because he was not sure of her belief. Quickly, she nodded her head.

  “Did you sign up for any of the departments to volunteer in?” Emily steered the conversation in another angle.

  “I did. I thought the charity work one would be a good challenge,” Hannah said humbly.

  “Oh, lovely. I help out there sometimes and it is a very rewarding service even if it is quite hectic. But they have an awesome team. It's also Jonathan's favourite department.”

  Hannah grimaced; she seemed to be thrown towards him more than she wished for. Was God trying to drown her in Jonathan's overpowering personality? Quickly recovering she asked, “How long have you been at Gateway to Eternal Life?”

  “Since it started,” Emily informed.

  “It seems that you have helped out almost every where,” Hannah said in awe.

  “I lend myself wherever I can,” Emily said humbly. “Besides at my age, I have a lot of time on my hands,” she laughed heartily.

  Hannah laughed too. She was aware that Emily was in early retirement. “I look forward to serving then.” Rubbing her arms to keep warm, she excused herself.

  “Oh, how remiss of me,” Emily said aghast. “Please, do go inside and warm yourself.”

  Gratefully, Hannah escaped into the cottage.

  A message from the charity work department came sooner than expected – within that week. They were calling a meeting for all new volunteers to bring them up to speed on what they were all about. Fortunately, the meeting was scheduled for the Friday.

  Also in that week, a long staff meeting was called. Hannah wondered what was going to take so long to discuss. It was scheduled from five to seven pm.

  With two days out of her week, Hannah wasn't going to see some of her regular students at Donna's. She prayed they would be assigned good tutors. Sadly there was nothing she could do about missing those tutoring days.

  All the teachers arrived at promptly five pm or just before for the meeting. Now that she knew most of the teachers, Hannah was comfortable with them. They were all very friendly and she even shared tea or lunch breaks with some of the younger teachers. There were some male teachers amongst the staff but the majority were women and all at least five years older than her.

  Mrs Hart chaired the meeting while Madeline took minutes. Refreshments were provided which most partook of during the meeting. Almost nervously, Hannah thought amused. First, Sarah dealt with the usual stuff then moved on to the most important points of the meeting.

  “Firstly, let's discuss our matric farewell which falls on the first week of September and seeing that it is closer to the start of spring, it would be nice to have a spring theme,” she put out. “What do you think?” she asked the teachers.

  Everyone was in agreement and already had ideas for how it should be set up. Madeline noted all ideas.

  “Wonderful,” Sarah encouraged enthusiastically. “Now I need some teachers to volunteer to be chaperones. It is going to be held on a Thursday...” she looked hopefully around the group.

  “I'm sure I could,” one of the male teachers said without a firm confirmation.

  “Let me check with my husband, and I can let you know by the end of the week,” another teacher said.

  Hannah feeling sorry for Sarah, immediately offered her assistance. “I can help,” she said firmly.

  Madeline noted that as a definite. Others offered to let her know by the end of the week.

  Sarah accepted that and moved on with the meeting. “Let's get down to the business of the annual school production,” she said with great enthusiasm.

  Everyone groaned except Hannah who was bewildered. Being new she had not even heard of the year end production until now and was curious why the rest were less than enthusiastic about it.

  Timidly, she raised her hand. “What is the year end production?”

  “Oh, off course, you don't know,” Sarah said with realisation. “Madeline will you please fill Hannah in.”

  She left the floor open for Madeline who with vigour and verve explained the whole thing to the group. “It is our team effort to display talent and engage all students. There is a lot of work involved but the children get a chance to shine for one night. The parents love it as much as the children,” she concluded excitedly.

  At least Madeline was excited, Hannah mused. “Where is it held?” Hannah asked thoughtfully not having seen a stage in any of the rooms.

  “In the main church,” Madeline answered.

  Hannah nodded. It made sense. “When does it take place?” she asked her eyes widening.

  “The first week in October. We allow for the children to study for exams afterwards.”

  Again Hannah nodded. Even though it was only a few months away, she was sure they were used to the whole thing. Being new she was certain she would not need to be fully involved, probably play a small part in the whole thing.

  The next part of the meeting was taken up with the discussion of the theme and what would be involved. Each teacher would be practising an item their class was to perform in the production. That sounded easy enough to Hannah. Along with some of the other teachers, Hannah was assigned as part of the committee. As a newcomer, she was to be the stage hand. Meaning, she was to ensure everything was available and in order for the production to run smoothly.

  Overwhelming though it sounded, Hannah didn't say anything contrary to their expectation. She could do this, she kept telling herself. She had to if she wanted to continue at the school. It would mean giving up her part time job at the academy. Sad, though it was, Hannah decided the school was more important.

  With everyone in the know about the upcoming events, the meeting was adjourned with fervent prayer. Hannah was going to need the prayer and more pray
ers.

  Chapter 4

  Friday's meeting was a lot less intense. The couple that headed the department were middle aged and welcomed everyone warmly before passionately introducing them to the work they were going to be involved in.

  As overwhelming as it all was, Hannah knew that it was manageable, since they were not expected to be totally involved; just assist as necessary. Most of the work would already be done by the dedicated team which they had in place and who oversaw the entire programme of events.

  All new members were assigned a team leader whom they had a chance to meet at the end of the meeting. Hannah's team leaders was a lovely young couple who were just as passionate about charity work as the department leaders.

  Hannah was convinced she was in good hands. They even noted who would need transport to and from the events. Very thoughtful! Hannah applauded. In fact so thoughtful that she got a lift home after the meeting.

  Approximately, nine pm, Hannah started her weekend with a buzzing headache. However, a good sleep and headache pills, plus prayer, relieved her of the headache the next morning. She was ready to go again and took off early to Donna Music Academy, possibly for the last time.

  The start of the week at school, was interesting in that after her class was dismissed, she reported to Madeline for the necessary equipping towards the production. Her head was spinning by the time she was given all the information and paperwork.

  “Just let me know where you need help, “Madeline encouraged. “It is your first time and it can be overwhelming so don't be afraid to ask.”

  Hannah sighed with relief. “Thank you!” she whispered gladly. “I most certainly will. I am glad that you understand.”

  “We all started there at one stage,” Madeline smiled sympathetically. “But you'll get the hang of it quickly.”

  Hannah hoped so. Although she had been involved in the annual year end in her church, it was nothing compared to the size of this one. Her role at home was minimal.

  Taking all the information home with her, she spent the entire evening sorting through it and making notes as to how she would attend to the tasks.