WHAT AWAITS ME?

EPISODE 1

On the outskirts of Oxfordshire, atop a gentle green grassy hill that rises behind the Redemption Missionary Monastery, Rachav Rai lies stretched out beneath the open sky. A young woman in her late twenties, she carries a carefree spirit, an angelic face, a warm heart, and soft cream-coloured hair that stirs gently in the breeze.

Rachav is a novice at the convent and an orphan by birth. Her only blood relative is her elder brother Michael. Since the tender age of four she has been raised within the loving fellowship of the convent under the care of the LORD.

Suddenly she lifts her head.

“Wait!”

What now, Rachav?

“Is that the Assembly Bell?”

It is indeed. The deep yet calming tolls from the Monastery Bell Tower ring out across the hillside, causing even the birds and the wind to pause in re...

Rachav springs to her feet at once. “Oh my, I’m late for the Evening Prayer!”

Without a second’s hesitation she gathers her belongings, though a small notebook slips unnoticed from her bag and tumbles into the grass. She dashes down the hill, slips inside the monastery, quickly dons her veil, and creeps to the very back row among the other sisters, trying to look as though she has been there all along.

An hour of heartfelt prayer passes. As each nun rises to return to her duties, dear Rachav attempts to slip away just as quietly. But before she can reach the door, a stern voice echoes through the stone corridor.

“Rachav!”

She freezes mid-step. Reverend Mother’s voice carries so clearly that three older Reverend Sisters exchange knowing glances.

“It seems Rachav is late for prayer again,” whispers the first.

“Oh, Rachav,” sighs the second.

“Come with me,” Reverend Mother commands, already walking away.

Knowing she is in trouble once more, Rachav wails inwardly 😭 and follows the Reverend Mother to her private study. Behind them, the older sisters begin to sing a long-forgotten hymn called “Mission of the Hermit” in soft, melodic voices.

“A letter has arrived from the Missionary Headquarters,” Reverend Mother announces.

Rachav accepts the envelope, opens it, and reads in silence. Her eyes widen.

“The Missionary orders me to go for an annual ministry?!”

Reverend Mother gives a single nod.

“But Reverend Mother, why twice? I have not even become a nun yet, and…”

“The last time you were sent into the world, it did not go well,” Reverend Mother replies. “Now that you have been cleansed and are more mentally mature, both the Convent and the Missionary Headquarters have decided to send you out once again. This time your purpose is to touch souls and preach about our Lord Jesus, without carrying the same burden of temptation as before.”

“But I am training to be a nun, not a missionary…”

Reverend Mother turns her back. “Rachav, this instruction comes directly from the Missionary Leader; you cannot defy it.” {I can finally live some time without this troublesome girl, hehehe.} “I have already informed the Senior Nun of Dormitory G, and she has prepared your things.”

“But…”

Reverend Mother turns back to face her. “We have placed great hopes in you. Do not fail the Convent.” She takes Rachav’s hand gently and pats it. “Go, and spread the Good News of the Almighty Father.”

{Look at her—so happy I am going to leave.} “I hear you, Reverend Mother.”

Rachav walks slowly along the colonnade after leaving the study.

From a distance the older Reverend Sisters sing in rich contralto voices: “When the lamb returns!…”

Lost in quiet thought, Rachav stops and curtsies gracefully to them. The sisters watch her pass in brief silence, then continue in smooth, harmonious tones:

“We… will… tell.”

The next day, Rachav Rai stands on the open pasture with her suitcase at her side.

{Last time I failed. I was a greenhorn, but this time I embark on this journey with my armour.}

She gazes up at the sky. A tender breeze lifts the brim of her floppy hat. She presses it down with a soft giggle.

In a clear mezzo-soprano voice she sings: “When the lamb returns! I… will tell!!”

A flock of birds sweeps past overhead, wings flashing white against the blue, as if carrying her melody into the distance.

The episode ends on that hopeful note.

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